it's so true JJ - those who remain have survivor guilt and their families have to live with a changed person. even those who never saw combat but did see the wounded and dead back in england or where they were stationed.
I never got to any local services but watched the 2 hours the CBC covered them from Ottawa..very moving as usual..
my uncle who died last year on nov.15 was an airplane mechanic and saw many young pilots fly off to their deaths..and many of his young buddies never return home..he never spoke of his war years.
i believe i read somewhere that Remembrance day was originally meant to remind people that war doesn't solve anything and remember those who fought for our freedom and to commemorate the end of World War 1.. The second world war or 'war to end all wars' is testament to that..it didn't end the wars.. 90 years on and we're still at it..
I recall when my kids were younger and the questions they had about war etc. and you are right - a lot of 'that's a good question' came out of my mouth as i searched for an age appropriate answer..the schools did a lot to educate the kids, much like they did when we were in school. Going to the gym for the services and reading of In Flanders Fields etc..
i never made it to see my uncle last year for Remembrance day but the year before we did and had a lovely day at the Legion and lunch..the respect given to him as we wheeled him around in his chair with his medals on his chest was lovely. He spent last years Remembrance day alone at his seniors centre watching the services on tv. i spoke with him a couple of days earlier, he hadn't been well and hardly ever called me but he did that night even tho it was hard for him to speak due to his medical condition...he was not a man to say I love you but that phone call ended with him saying I love you and a promise from me to him that i would see him the following week. At his funeral that very next week I whispered in his ear that I had kept my promise.. I knew he'd laugh about that..he had a wicked sense of humour..
He gave me away at my wedding and was more like a father to me and a grandfather to my kids. When my son was younger and asked him questions about the planes he fixed he was given some books my uncle had bought and liked to look at. He loved the air show at the EX and when he saw those old planes that would be about the only time you'd hear him talk about his time overseas..but he spoke only about the planes..
That's a great old pic of the crowds at the Old City Hall cenotaph/memorial..I love that building and the stately way the memorial sits right in front..
this is my uncle on Nov.11 2006. His daughter is pinning his medals on his jacket. He was a proud Canadian of Scottish heritage..