Peter Menzies: Remembrance Day Is About the Sacrifices of Our Soldiers, Not Modern Sensibilities

Commentary

It has been five years since Don Cherry was dismissed by Rogers Sportsnet for his comments on the importance of newcomers to Canada embracing Remembrance Day more fully.

Cherry’s controversial statement was as follows:

“You people … you love our way of life, you love our milk and honey, at least you can pay a couple bucks for a poppy or something like that. These guys paid for your way of life that you enjoy in Canada; these guys paid the biggest price.”

There was a time when the significance of the poppy didn’t need to be explained. Traditionally worn across Canada, the poppy serves as a symbol to honor and remember the sacrifices made by the nation’s war heroes—approximately 66,000 in the Great War of 1914–1918, another 44,000 in World War II, and many more from various conflicts including the Boer War and Afghanistan, where 158 Canadians lost their lives defending the Canadian way of life.

The choice of the poppy, as stated by the Royal Canadian Legion, is linked to the poem “In Flanders Fields” by Lt. John McCrae, written after a comrade’s funeral. The excerpt reads:

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In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row, …

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields. …

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.”

During my childhood, the weekend newspapers would often feature extensive articles on Canadian battles at Passchendaele, Ypres, and Vimy around Remembrance Day. It was a time to remember and honor.

My father, an RCAF veteran, always made sure we visited the local cenotaph on Nov. 11—Remembrance Day—to honor the fallen, continuing the tradition.

My maternal grandfather, George Jones, lived closest to us, and I vividly remember the awe we felt whenever he showed us the scar from a German bullet he took to the thigh. He shared tales of pretty French girls and battling lice in the trenches to lighten the mood. Today, I have his metal Canadian helmet as a reminder of his service, to be passed down to future generations.

The Canada they fought for has evolved over time. The motivation to fight for king and country has shifted, and my children and grandchildren never had the chance to hear Grandpa’s stories firsthand. Memories may fade, but the importance of honoring our history remains.

While Cherry’s career ended five years ago due to his remarks, it was only a year ago that Canadian Armed Forces chaplains were instructed to replace prayer with “spiritual reflection” in public settings.

“A Remembrance Day ceremony reduced to a general ‘spiritual reflection’ does not truly honor anyone. It fails to recognize the beliefs and traditions of many military members. Bland spiritual reflections are not inclusive and silence the religiously faithful.”

“Prayer will remain an integral part of Legion-organized Remembrance Day ceremonies. While military chaplains may adjust their language, prayer to God or a higher power by other spiritual representatives will still be included.”

Remembrance Day and the poppy symbolize the sacrifices of others, not our own modern sensibilities. Let us honor those who stood firm in their beliefs, courage, and memory.

We must never forget.

Views expressed in this article are solely the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.