In the year 1918, at the 11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month, World War I finally came to an end. To memorialize all those people who lost their lives in the war and also as a sign of respect to those who survived fighting in World War I (and all other wars Canadians fought in after WWI), known as veterans, Canadians and people in all Commonwealth countries (former colonies of Great Britain) participate in solemn ceremonies called Remembrance Day. At 11:00am on November 11^th, every year, Canadians across the country stop whatever they are doing in order to participate in one minute of silence to remember the dead. Canadians also wear red poppies on their coats starting at the beginning of November until November 11th which are bought from veterans and volunteers with peoples’ donations which go to help take care of veterans.

There are three reasons why Canadians wear red poppies (a type of flower) for Remembrance Day. First, it is because the flowers grew everywhere on the battlefields where soldiers fought. They were one of the only flowers that grew in such harsh wartime conditions. Second, their deep red colour also symbolizes the bloodshed during the war from all the soldiers. The graveyards of the soldiers in Europe are also filled with wild red poppies that grow everywhere, almost like they were feeding off the dead. However, the main reason why Canadians wear poppies to remember the soldiers is because of a poem written by a Canadian Doctor who was killed while trying to save the lives of soldiers in WWI. This Canadian Doctor’s name was John McCrae and the poem he wrote was called In Flanders Fields.

Below, I will write out the poem for you all to read. I would like you all, on this day, to remember all the sacrifices of soldiers made by all soldiers on everyone’s behalf. Everyone, in every country, should give respect to the people who fought for their country. Although  Japan does not have a military now, and because Canada is a peaceful country, both our countries can recognize the sacrifices made by those who fought a long time ago in order to protect our futures. Both Japan and Canada also have ‘peacekeepers’ stationed around the world in places like Iraq, Iran, and Afghanistan. So please, I ask you all to take some time out of your day to remember those who died in the line of battle and hope that never again do we ever have to face any other wars. I hope we never again have to sacrifice innocent lives in the name of war. Please, read the poem and hope that peace will continue forever, that is the true meaning of Remembrance Day!

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

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.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.