Remembrance Day is growing in significance every year. Young people, who in the past generally ignored the tradition of wearing poppies, now do so with pride, respect and thankfulness. All generations are attending Remembrance Day Services in record numbers. We all feel the need to thank veterans, including our new veterans who are returning from Afghanistan, in a way we never have felt before. Perhaps it is because of Afghanistan, the phenomenon of the Highway of Heroes and the death of our first female soldier that we are becoming more passionate about honouring our veterans. For the first time ever, there were no WW I veteran this year - they are now all gone. It now becomes even more important to honour their sacrifices, and to never forget what they did for us. We must continue to teach our children that the many rights they now enjoy were fought for by very brave men and women. As we look at the suffering of people in countries which do not have the freedoms and rights we have, we realize how very fortunate we are. Just as our parents and grand-parents were touched by wars, buried their soldiers and welcomed home those who survived, our generation is experiencing war and we are sending our own sons and daughters to fight. Those who return will also need to be honoured for many years to come. Remembrance Day is the day to remember all the wars we have faced as a nation, to thank our soldiers and to reflect on how fortunate we are. Remembering and being grateful to the men and women in our armed forces - present and past . . . it's a good thing!
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