A day for Rememberance

Here we are, facing Remembrance Day this weekend. As more and more people simply look at this as a day off; it's time to remember Remembrance Day. Originally called Armistice Day, the date of November 11 was selected to remember the final silencing of the guns of the First World War - 1100 hrs, 11/11/1918. This time of remembrance continues every year with events across Canada occurring at 1100 hrs on November 11.

Most Canadians have been lucky to not experience war. We have been blessed as Canadians; we have not experienced war on our own soil in over 100 years. However, we have lived through the climate of war. Canadians have fought in both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War, and the current conflict in Afghanistan. As peacekeepers, our military has been exposed to conflicts when deployed across the world. During conflicts, the loss of life is inevitable. Remembrance Day is our way to remember our fellow Canadians who have lost their lives during conflicts. Among the members of the Canadian Forces lost since last year's Remembrance Day, Master Corporal Christian Duchesne of 5th Field Ambulance, based in Valcartier, Quebec lost his life during a battle near Kandahar, Afghanistan. Master Corporal Duchesne was a Paramedic. The Canadian Forces and many of Canada's EMS agencies have partnered to provide military medics experience on ambulances while at home in Canada. This program has fostered relationships between Canada's military and civilian Paramedics. Loss of a military medic is a loss for all Paramedics.

This Remembrance Day, I suggest attending one of the many services occurring (especially if you never have been to one). Even if you're on duty and not on a call, your attendance can be done quietly in the back so you can respond to calls if needed. What a great sight it would be if all Paramedics wore poppies on Remembrance Day. Honour those that have fallen - honour our past. Go to remember Master Corporal Duchesne. Go to remember all of the CF members who have died in the last year. Go to remember all the Canadians that have died in war. Go to remember that their sacrifice continues to protect our security. Go to remember why we have Remembrance Day.