On Monday November 5th, the Rotary Club of Brampton held its annual Remembrance Day recognition to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. A reminder of those who did not survive the hostilities of war and to remind us of the rights, privileges and freedom we enjoy today.
Veterans know the price paid for our freedom and they want all Canadians to share in this understanding. They are passing the torch of remembrance to us, the people of Canada, to ensure that the memory of their efforts and sacrifices will not die with them, and that an appreciation of the values they fought for will live on in all Canadians.
Rotarian Jerome Dawson chaired the event which began with Denis Stephenson playing Canada on the piano followed by Trumpeter David Harmsworth who played the Last Post followed by two minutes of silence.
Jerome made a special acknowledgment to George “Potsy” Burrows a World War 11 veteran who was accompanied by his daughter Carol Jones. A special recognition to another one of our clubs distinguished guests William “Bill” Burrell who unfortunately was unable to join us today.
Jerome provided the club with some historical background information on Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day) which is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth of Nations member states since the end of the First World War to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty.
This day, specifically designated by King George V on 7 November 1919, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries.
Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of hostilities of World War I on that date in 1918. Hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month", in accordance with the armistice signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente.
The red remembrance poppy has become a familiar emblem of Remembrance Day due to the poem In Flanders Fields. These poppies bloomed across some of the worst battlefields of Flanders in World War I, their brilliant red colour became a symbol for the blood spilled in the war.
Jerome spoke about those that have served, such as the Indigenous veterans and Black Canadians in uniform. National Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated each year on June 21, while Aboriginal Veterans Day is commemorated on November 8. Indigenous people in Canada have reason to be proud of their wartime contributions. More than 7,000 First Nations members served in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War, and an unknown number of Inuit, Métis and other Indigenous people also participated. One Veterans group estimates that 12,000 Indigenous men and women served in the three wars.
Black Canadians in uniform is a proud tradition having a long history of service in uniform. Often having to overcome great challenges just to enlist in the military in earlier eras when our society was less inclusive, they persevered to make their mark. From the days before Canada was even a country of its own to the current efforts in Afghanistan, the sacrifices and achievements of Black Canadians have shone through.
Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members are proud to serve Canada by defending its values, interests and sovereignty at home and abroad. They support freedom, democracy, the rule of law and human rights around the world.
Club members participated in the Remembrance Day meeting by reading poems to remind us of those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice and the need for us to remember and to wear a poppies. Other members shared powerful and meaningful stories of serving in the armed forces or that of their family.
Past President John Sanderson thanked members of our armed forces, special guests and to all those that participated in today’s meeting.
Act of Remembrance
They shall grow not old,
as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them.
as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun
and in the morning
We will remember them.
Commitment to Remember
They were young, as we are young,
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,
To carry their torch and never forget.
We will remember them.
They served, giving freely of themselves.
To them, we pledge, amid the winds of time,
To carry their torch and never forget.
We will remember them.
Pictured David Harmsworth and Potsy Burrows