Remembrance Day for Canadians is a time that is set aside to formally remember and give thanks to those that have served and those that do still today. It is symbolic of the thanks that Canadians feel throughout the year and the gratitude that we have to be able to live in one of the most free and secure countries in the world. Here in Steinbach, the Steinbach Branch #190 of the Royal Canadian Legion will be holding a Remembrance Day Service at the Emmanuel Evangelical Free Church, located at 360 McKenzie Avenue on Friday, November 11th at 10:45am. Each year when I attend the service, I have the opportunity to reflect on stories from the service men and women present, and for a moment gain some perspective. It is quite humbling to know that there is nothing in my life that could ever compare to the sacrifices these individuals have made and the impact they have had on the shaping of our world.
In Canada, the poppy has been a symbol of remembrance since 1921, and has international origins. The first person to wear a poppy to remember was Moina Michael, a member of the staff of the American Overseas YMCA in 1918, the last year of the First World War. Moina read John McCrae’s poem “In Flanders Fields” and was so moved that she pledged to keep the faith and always to wear a red poppy as a sign of remembrance and the emblem of keeping the faith with all who died. Inspired both by McCrae’s poem and by Moina’s example, Madame Anne Guerin of France became a vigorous advocate of the poppy as the symbol of remembrance and in 1921, Guerin travelled to Canada on behalf of the poppy and convinced the Canadian Great War Veterans Association (a predecessor of the Canadian Legion) to adopt the poppy as their symbol of remembrance. The first ‘Poppy Day’ in Canada occurred on November 11, 1921.
This year marks the 100 year anniversary of the battles of The Somme and Beaumont-Hamel during the First World War in France, and Canadians remember their sad and haunting legacy. The Somme was one of the bloodiest battles in human history and the largest fought on the Western Front, with over one million casualties, and at Beaumont-Hamel in a single morning, Newfoundland alone sacrificed hundreds of young men.
On behalf of the Province of Manitoba and the constituents of Steinbach, I would like to thank all those men and women who have served our great nation, who continue to serve and keep us safe, and for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Lest we forget.
