At this time of
year we are inundated with messages to never forget, but just what exactly are
we implored to remember?
Is it the the
armistice of 1918? The incomprehensible carnage of the First World War? The
participation of Canada in numerous conflicts around the world? War more
generally?
The significance
of remembrance is that it should seek not to glorify conflict; it should
somberly direct us to reflect on the impacts that war makes on humanity - from
the individual to the society.
We should remember the people who served our country, brave or not, by choice or by force. We should likewise remember those who we met as adversaries. We should remember their families. We should remember those who did not return, or who came back forever marked by their experiences. We should remember the civilians who witnessed the horror of war, targeted or caught in the crossfire. We should remember the victories, the defeats, the ceasefires. We should remember the atrocities, regardless of who committed them or against whom. We should remember the reasons why people took up arms against one another, both the iniquitous and the justifiable. We should remember why remembering is useful.
We should remember the people who served our country, brave or not, by choice or by force. We should likewise remember those who we met as adversaries. We should remember their families. We should remember those who did not return, or who came back forever marked by their experiences. We should remember the civilians who witnessed the horror of war, targeted or caught in the crossfire. We should remember the victories, the defeats, the ceasefires. We should remember the atrocities, regardless of who committed them or against whom. We should remember the reasons why people took up arms against one another, both the iniquitous and the justifiable. We should remember why remembering is useful.
In short, we
should consider Remembrance Day a moment to collectively and individually
reflect on all the facets of war and peace.
Moreover, we
should acknowledge that the act of remembrance is inherently personal. We
thankfully live in a society that awards us this liberty, but it is only useful
if we can see beyond what we are being told to remember.
NB - this is an
English translation of a presentation I am going to be making tomorrow at a
remembrance ceremony.
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