A Day To Remember, Not Shop!

A major pet peeve of mine is how November 11, a day set aside to remember those who served their Country in war and peace, has become a routine day where people can shop like they can on any given Sunday. Remembrance Day has always been a day where people pause to pay tribute to those who have all to often lost their lives in service to Canada in War. I can not understand how it became a day that unofficially starts the Christmas shopping blitz.

I have lost relatives in Wars. Just because it was more than 50 years ago, doesn't make Remembrance Day any less important to me. In the last 15 years, November 11 has become just another day, minus some morning festivities where dignitaries and War Veterans pause for ceremonies. Then 2 hours later, Canada goes right back into full motion, and allows all those die hard shoppers 5 hours to get back into stores and carry on, business as usual.

I consider myself fortunate and my family to be fortunate, that we have not had to lose anyone in Afghanistan war effort, that Canada currently finds itself embroiled in. But for the hundreds of families who have lost loved ones to service in Afghanistan, how much shopping do you expect they are doing on November 11th at 3 in the afternoon? I'd guess next to none. This is their day, a day where they can stop and respect their family members contribution to worldwide peace in the name of War, and it's a day where Canada should absolutely stand-still for 24 hours and reflect on the enormous sacrifice our soldiers continue to make.

So today, I relish my time off of my usual grind, I pay my respects to Canadian who have given their life in war, but I also take a moment to recognize those who continue to make heroic efforts in the name of Peace around the world. Here's to you.