Remembering...

Today is Remembrance Day. Every year on November 11, commemorate and remember the men and women who have served, and continue to serve Canada during times of war, conflict and peace. We remember the more than 1,500,000 Canadians who have served throughout our nation’s history and the more than 118,000 who made the ultimate sacrifice.

I also think about people like my grandparents on my mom's side. My Grandpa S. wanted to serve but due to crummy knees and bad eyesight, was unable to join up with the army or airforce. So he did the next best thing and became a volunteer firefighter, travelling over to southern England to fight fires created by the frequent German bombing raids. He wasn't on the front lines, but he was helping save lives and homes in and around Plymouth. It was there that he met my grandma.

My Grandma was a teenager when World War II started. She lived in Plymouth, which was a heavily bombed area of England because it was a major port. She did what she could to help raise and care for her siblings. She didn't have a lot to say about what went n during the war, but I know he did what she could to try to protect her siblings. I know she lost a good girlfriend who was killed by a bomb while walking home from school or a social event shortly after they had parted ways. I can't imagine what it was like for her, her family and other people who had to live through day after day of rations, bombings, death and loss. To tho day she's a strong, positive person and I'm sure thats what got her through what must have been some very difficult times.

At some point during the war, she started helping out at the local mess hall where volunteers like my grandpa would go to eat. Now my Grandma is a great cook. But one thing she's never been able to do is make toast. Even with modern day toasters on the lightest setting, she absolutely has always burnt toast to a crisp. Somehow, at the Mess Hall, she was put in charge of making toast.

Family legend has it that a young Canadian firefighter liked the burnt toast so much, he kept going up for more helpings, eventually asking to meet whomever was making such delicious toast. And the rest, as they say, was history. They courted for a couple of months before he had to return to Canada. He mailed her an engagement ring (don't try this in 2014) and she responded (likely also via mail) "yes". Two years later after the war was over, she boarded a hollowed out Lancaster bomber, left everything and everyone she knew behind and flew to Canada. They were married for over 50 years.

Our armed forces (and those of our allies) throughout the years have been so critical to helping to protect and maintain our freedoms. I think its also important to recognize the millions of strong, brave and determined people who keep up their morale while facing war on their own soil. They courageously kept their families and communities together during hardships most of us can't even begin to imagine. They lost so many loved ones and friends. And when it was all over, they all rebuilt and moved on, teaching us what it means to be resilient, and reminding future generations to appreciate the sacrifices made to give us all that we have today.