We Must Remember Them

We MUST Remember Them…

For Funeral Directors across Canada, Remembrance Day is one of the most significant days of the year. It is a time where we can come together as a nation to reflect on the great sacrifices made by our veterans. A moment to teach our children and grandchildren the importance of honouring loss. There is something almost celestial about the pregnant pause at the cenotaph between the Last Post and Reveille.  During that moment of silence you can hear our nation holds its breath. The silence is powerful and deafening. Every year, despite the weather, despite what is going on in the world, we gather for Remembrance Day.

This year looks much different. Letters started coming from the local Legion Branches, announcing that due to Covid-19 restrictions, Remembrance Day would be a collection of private invite-only events. Politicians sent out mailers inviting the public to remember privately with their families. But what is being done for the public? Much like many events this year, the “go-to” seems to be “not-do”.

This year, Jacob Rowe, Jeff Mardling and myself worked with the Legion Zone Commander Len Maynard, Past President Irene Williams and Canadian Artist J.P. Cormier to create a pre-recorded service for Remembrance Day. Since we cannot visit the cenotaphs this year, we filmed every cenotaph in Chatham-Kent to allow for our community to come together and remember. While not a substitute for a Remembrance Day Service, it is a tribute to our veterans and local legions, and certainly a means by which to teach the younger generations to remember. I found it to be a very moving experience.

The pre-recorded service will be available on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at www.remembrancedayck.com or on the Funeral Home website.