Remembrance Day

[† Talena Mae]

Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day, Armistice Day and Veterans Day) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth countries since the end of World War I to remember the members of their armed forces who have died in the line of duty. This day, or alternative dates, are also recognized as special days for war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries. Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the official end of World War I on that date in 1918; hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice ("at the 11th hour" refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 a.m.)

The day was specifically dedicated by King George V on 7 November 1919 as a day of remembrance of members of the armed forces who were killed during World War I. This was possibly done upon the suggestion of Edward George Honey to Wellesley Tudor Pole, who established two ceremonial periods of remembrance based on events in 1917.

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 an appropriate symbol for the blood spilled in the war.

Observance in the Commonwealth

Remembrance Day, London, 2006.

The common British, Canadian, South African, and ANZAC* tradition includes either one or two minutes of silence at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month (11:00 a.m., 11 November), as that marks the time (in the United Kingdom) when the armistice became effective.

The Service of Remembrance in many Commonwealth countries generally includes the sounding of the "Last Post", followed by the period of silence, followed by the sounding of "The Rouse" (often mistakenly referred to as "Reveille"), and finished by a recitation of the "Ode of Remembrance". The "Flowers of the Forest", "O Valiant Hearts", "I Vow to Thee, My Country" and "Jerusalem" are often played during the service. Services also include wreaths laid to honour the fallen, a blessing, and national anthems. Mozambique does not observe the Remembrance Day.

The central ritual at cenotaphs throughout the Commonwealth is a stylized night vigil. The Last Post was the common bugle call at the close of the military day, and the Rouse was the first call of the morning. For military purposes, the traditional night vigil over the slain was not just to ensure they were indeed dead and not unconscious or in a coma, but also to guard them from being mutilated or despoiled by the enemy, or dragged off by scavengers. This makes the ritual more than just an act of remembrance but also a pledge to guard the honour of war dead. The act is enhanced by the use of dedicated cenotaphs (literally Greek for "empty tomb") and the laying of wreaths—the traditional means of signalling high honours in ancient Greece and Rome.

Australia

In Australia, Remembrance Day is always observed on 11 November regardless of the day of the week and is not a public holiday. Some institutions observe two minute's silence at 11 a.m. Through a programme named Read 2 Remember, children read the "Pledge of Remembrance" by Rupert McCall and teachers deliver specially developed resources to help children understand the significance of the day and the resilience of those who have fought for their country, and call on children to also be resilient when facing difficult times. Services are held at 11 a.m. at war memorials and schools in suburbs and cities across the country, at which the "Last Post" is sounded by a bugler and a one-minute silence is observed. In recent decades, however, Remembrance Day has been largely eclipsed as the national day of war commemoration by ANZAC Day (25 April), which is a public holiday in all states. Remembrance Day is a time when people can pay their respects to the substantial number of soldiers who died in battle.

Canada

In Canada, Remembrance Day is a public holiday in all provinces and territories except Ontario and Quebec. Veterans Affairs Canada, a federal entity, states that the date is of "remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace"; specifically, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and all conflicts since then in which members of the Canadian Forces have participated.[6] The department runs a program called Canada Remembers with the mission of helping young and new Canadians, most of whom have never known war, "come to understand and appreciate what those who have served Canada in times of war, armed conflict and peace stand for and what they have sacrificed for their country."

Poppies are laid on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on Remembrance Day in Ottawa

The official national ceremonies are held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, presided over by the Governor General of Canada, any members of the Royal Family (such as Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, in 2009), the Prime Minister, and other dignitaries, observed by the public. Typically, these events begin with the tolling of the Carillon in the Peace Tower, during which serving members of the Canadian Forces (CF) arrive at Confederation Square, followed by the Ottawa diplomatic corps, ministers of the Crown, special guests, the Royal Canadian Legion (RCL), the royal party (if present), and the viceregal party. Before the start of the ceremony, four armed sentries and three sentinels (two flag sentinels and one nursing sister) are posted at the foot of the cenotaph.

The Guard of Honour (a member from the Royal Canadian Navy at left and from the Royal Canadian Air Force at right) at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, Remembrance Day, 2010

The arrival of the governor general is announced by a trumpeter sounding the "Alert", whereupon the viceroy is met by the Dominion President of the RCL and escorted to a dais to receive the Viceregal Salute, after which the national anthem, "O Canada", is played. The moment of remembrance begins with the bugling of "Last Post" immediately before 11:00 a.m., at which time the gun salute fires and the bells of the Peace Tower toll the hour. Another gun salute signals the end of the two minutes of silence, and cues the playing of a lament, the bugling of "The Rouse," and the reading of the Act of Remembrance. A flypast of Royal Canadian Air Force craft then occurs at the start of a 21-gun salute, upon the completion of which a choir sings "In Flanders Fields". The various parties then lay their wreaths at the base of the memorial; one wreath is set by the Silver Cross Mother, a recent recipient of the Memorial Cross, on behalf of all mothers who lost children in any of Canada's armed conflicts. The viceregal and/or royal group return to the dais to receive the playing of the Royal Anthem of Canada, "God Save the Queen", prior to the assembled Armed Forces personnel and veterans performing a march past in front of the viceroy, bringing about the end of the official ceremonies. A tradition of paying more personal tribute to the sacrifice of those who have served and lost their lives in defence of the country has emerged since erection of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the War Memorial in 2000: after the official ceremony the general public place their poppies atop the tomb.

Similar ceremonies take place in provincial capitals across the country, officiated by the relevant lieutenant governor, as well as in other cities, towns, and even hotels or corporate headquarters. Schools will usually hold special assemblies for the first half of the day, or on the school day prior, with various presentations concerning the remembrance of the war dead. The largest indoor ceremony in Canada is usually held in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with over 9,000 gathering in Credit Union Centre in 2010; the ceremony participants include old guard (veterans), new guard (currently serving members of the CF), and sea, army, and air cadet units.

New Zealand

New Zealand's national day of remembrance is Anzac Day, 25 April. "Poppy Day" usually occurs on the Friday before Anzac Day. Armistice Day was observed in New Zealand between the World Wars, although it was always secondary to Anzac Day. As in other countries, New Zealand's Armistice Day was converted to Remembrance Day after World War II, but this was not a success. By the mid-1950s the day was virtually ignored, even by churches and veterans' organizations. A few ceremonies are still held on Remembrance Day, and also on 11 November.

We will always remember.

LlYtlyFSTlU

ANZAC: Australian and New Zealand Army Corps

[Bluenoser]

Lest we forget indeed!

Well done Talena Mae, I have been wearing a poppy in my coat now for over a week and a half (since just before Halloween) for this very reason. When I was younger and in Sea Cadets (for the ages between 13-19 here in Canada) I used to be in the band that led the parade to the memorial tomb for the merchant marine and other sailors that died in the wars, one year I was the drum major (the twist with the mace in front) and I led the parade, it was one of the proudest moments of my youth. My family on both sides has had strong connections to our military history and have had many members that served in various branches of our armed forces, so this is a day with real meaning to me, and it is wonderful to see a thread noting it here. Just had to say it, especially given how much we all owe those that served and died to prevent us from living in real tyranny (as bad as things may be these days they still would have been far worse if the allies had lost WWII, or the Cold War had been won by the USSR, anyone that thinks otherwise doesn't truly appreciate the realities of both those governments IMHO.

[ZeroPenguins]

Yep, Lest we forget.

[† Talena Mae]

I have strong ties in the Army here, my gramps (may he R.I.P) Was in the Army, My dad was in the army navy and RAAF and I was in the army too.

May all our heros rest in peace, we are thankfull for all they did for us.

[lemmingllama]

Rest in peace. It was so sad, my grandfather who was in the military died just a couple weeks before this remembrance day. He was supposed to run one of the services.

[woldo]

Rest in peace

[big_teddy]

Yes, lest we forget. Thank you Talena Mae. My grandfather served in WWII, God bless him, the many who have fallen and the women and men serving today.

[griver_007]

Rest in Peace to all nameless Heroes.

[VolvoKing]

Thank- you for putting this up. I am from Ontario Canada and here it is a federal holiday, but at 11:00 am everyone stops for the two minutes of silence. My friend and I pulled into a parking lot and got out of the truck to pay respect. Here they took part of our major high-way from Trenton air-force base to Toronto and changed the name to The High-way of Heroes for our soldiers that died in Afghanistan. From Toronto they are flown home. I had the honor of traveling in this funeral procession with my late friend who died in Afghanistan. I stayed with him until he was buried. It was the least I could do for his family. Remembrance Day is to remember the wars of the past, present and for the wars to come. Again Thank-you for putting this up.

[† Talena Mae]

as i said above. I have strong ties to the armed forces, so it was only normal I put this up. as i did not think anyone else would. "The last post" always will make me cry, remembering those who gave their lives to make ours better and for that i am in their debt. it was the least i could do for them all.