The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Since the Armistice was signed on November 11, 1918, finally putting an end to the First World War, other wars have been fought. Even today some are still killing Canadian soldiers. ItÕs for all of those who died that Remembrance Day has become a day of reflection for Canadians. During the First World War, the Second World and the Korean War, more than 100,000 Canadians lost their lives. To serve and defend oneÕs country is a noble cause and this is why the Canadian Armed Forces continue to recruit personnel. In 2007-2008, around 6,700 people joined the regular forces. Moreover, thousands of Canadians continue to risk their lives by serving their country overseas. In Afghanistan nearly a hundred Canadians have fallen in combat. ItÕs for them and the thousands of others who have died in other wars that Canadian citizens should wear a poppy to remember and honour them. The poppy has become an international symbol honouring the memory of those who died in war. Before the First World War, very few poppies grew in Flanders. During the horrific bombardments which marked this war, the chalky earth became rich in lime dust thus encouraging the growth of the poppies. Once the war had ended, the lime was soon absorbed and the poppies disappeared. In this way the poppy became an eloquent symbol of war, notably because of its bright red colour. So the poppy should continue to flower as the symbol of Remembrance during the week preceding the official commemorative ceremonies of November 11.
