2011-11-11 Remembrance Day Ceremony At The Cenotaph, After

2011-11-11 Remembrance Day Ceremony At The Cenotaph, After

We arrived late at the War Memorial, just fifteen minutes before twelve. The crowds were dispersing and the Yonge Street re-opened. The winds were not helping, it was really cold.

I put gloves on Matthew’s cold hands and extra hood. He got warmer and he was happy to hop along again.

A lady was walking towards us as we were getting closer to the park. I sped up and offered her help. She had trouble walking. She said she was okay. It was her bad knees and she will be going for surgery – she told us. She made safe to the gas station. She was combing back from the ceremony.

We were so close so we kept going against the crowd. I been over the War Memorial tower only twice. It is very empowering site, yet sad.

War Memorial, Town of Aurora


I only know war stories told by civilians. My grandmother, my dad’s mom, lived through both wars (I and II). She told us many sad stories. Now as my father is getting older I see him talking more about the past. My father lost two sisters, 3 years old and 1 month old. Both died of shock from bombing. My mother lost two brothers, it was execution.

I have been exposed a lot to the history of the World Wars yet now that I am older, mature and a mother, it finally starting to sink in and makes me more sad every year.

We finally got to the cenotaph. The wind was gusting and it was getting colder. Wreaths started to fall and I found myself putting them back silently honoring the fallen.

In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

About the Author

Anna Lozyk Romeo

I am living in Aurora and this is my photo journal blog. A picture says 1000 words - but not always, so I write. You don't have to travel 1000 miles to find a treasure - all I have to do is zoom through my lens and I will find it for you here in Aurora.

Comments:

  1. Commonwealth citizens always do such a nice job of remembering their war dead.

  2. Yes, they do Marvin.
    Anna :)