Today is Remembrance Day in Canada, the anniversary of the Armistice that ended the First Word War. It is a time for reflection on the nature of war and peace. I mentioned last year that I would be thinking today about my grandfather, who was a First World War veteran.

There are ceremonies across Canada today (and around the world), wreaths being laid at solemn ceremonies I memory of our war dead, in gratitude for their service. The following reflections I wrote several years ago, a speech to be delivered at one of those ceremonies. I don’t remember it being used, so I am reproducing it today, with a couple of changes so it is appropriate for 2015.

It is cold in Canada in November and the ceremonies are held outdoors. Speeches under such conditions are necessarily short.

Tyne Cot Cemetary in Flanders Fields, Belgium.

Ninety-seven years ago, on the eleventh day, of the eleventh month, on the eleventh hour, silence descended on the battlefields – the Armistice treaty between Germany and the Allies silenced the guns of the First World War.

Today is an opportunity for all of us to recognize and honour the past and present sacrifices of the men and women in the Canadian Armed Forces. We say ‘thank you’ for all they have given and will continue to give up to fight for our country.

From the First and Second World Wars, to the war in Korea, to the mission in Afghanistan and countless peacekeeping assignments, our troops have always stood up for Canadian values – fighting with bravery, courage and dedication.

We pay tribute to the bravery and unwavering determination of those soldiers who lost their lives in battles past.

We remember today the blood and tears shed for our freedom by war veterans of Canada. We pause to reflect on the supreme price paid by so many for the peace we enjoy today, after a past century so violent that humanity was brought to a nuclear brink.
More than 100,000 Canadians lie in foreign graves, forever young, to be forever with their fallen comrades, never to return home. Our troops continue to serve overseas, to bring lasting peace and freedom in to areas of conflict.

Today we also recognize the Canadian soldiers who are working to defend Canadian values and sovereignty. On November 11th, we honour all those who were and are willing to place themselves in harm’s way in order to stand up for what’s right and protect the values Canadians hold dear.

For our honourable war veterans and remembered war dead, we pause today, to give our respect.

We will not forget.