Lest we forget

Today is not just another day off, for sleeping in and late breakfast.

Today is a day of remembrance.

For those whose fight let us be here today, and for those who are still fighting.

As the bagpipes played on television, the camera panned over the faces of the veterans. Their eyes told a million stories, flitting back and forth, as though memories were passing by them as they stood straight.

My grandfather fought in World War II.

He doesn't really speak of it. Most of what I know, of his sail out of Halifax, of his signing up despite his young age, is all through the mouths of other family members.

But one day, out of the blue he spoke of being on a ship in a storm. He held onto a rope for dear life as the ship was tossed about in the waves, and watched as a friend's grip loosened. He saw his friend fly into the rolling whitecaps below, and disappear. A man's life gone, merely on his way to fight.

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.