Canadian Customs
There are many customs, which are followed on Remembrance Day. All of the various customs and ceremonies have certain things in common, these being poppies and remembering those who served and fought for their country.
November 11th is set aside as the day, which we pay tribute to the men and women killed during the various wars, or while partaking in military operations. There are many who will remember friends, relatives and comrades who lost their lives during these times. For some memories of the horror they lived through will pass through their minds. Yes, there will be many that really don't understand what it is all about because they have no connection to what took place. Yet, these very same people will stop and pay tribute to those they did not know due to their courage and valour, fighting for our country.
Millions of Canadians will wear poppies on this day. The poppy being the symbol of remembrance, the blood-red flower which grew in the fields were thousands of Canadians lost their lives in a place called Flanders. It remains the flower of Remembrance as it has for the past 78 years.
In our schools, Remembrance will be discussed with many having special ceremonies and prayers for those who fought for their country. They are taught about the role that Canada played in the wars, the sacrifices, which were made, and how Canadians from every province showed what unity is about.
In various cities and towns through out Canada special memorial services are held for those who lost their lives defending our country. The Canadian Forces, The Canadian Legion, Veterans and other organisations participate in a march or parade bearing wreaths, which are to be laid at the foot of war memorials. They are also many individuals who will place a wreath at the foot of these statues in remembrance of a lost loved one.
American Customs
The majority of Americans will observe one or two minutes of silence, remembering those who fought for peace.
Many veterans gather at the various Memorials to pay tribute to their friends and companions who lost their lives during war and peacekeeping missions. They observe a two minute silence and place wreaths at the foot of these memorials.
Special services are held at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Ceremony, Virginia.
Various support groups such as the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign
Wars have been formed to aid veterans who served during war time. These
groups sell paper poppies made by disabled veterans for the various charities
which they support on V-Day and Memorial Day. Poppies became a symbol of
World War I after Major John McCrae wrote the poem "In Flanders Fields"
following the battle in which many lives were lost. This battle took place
in Flanders Field in Belgium. This field was filled with bright red wildflowers
called poppies.
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