We must rein in our primitive nature
Once again millions of Canadians pinned a stylized black-centred, blood-red poppy on their lapel and quietly reflected on the countless sacrifices that have been made in the name of freedom.
The words Lt.-Col. John McCrae scribbled down a century ago while he was mired in the insanity of what some called the war to end all wars, evoke poignant thoughts about loss, sorrow and regret. “In Flanders fields the poppies blow between the crosses, row on row . . .”
U.S. president John F. Kennedy said, “Mankind must put an end to war before war puts an end to mankind.” Our need to band together in tribes was originally motivated by self-preservation. For centuries manipulative leaders have appealed to our egodriven desires to be “special” and “superior” by promoting ethnic discrimination, religious bigotry and cultural hatred.
Perhaps we should start wearing a stylized sunshine-yellow-centred, bright blue forget-me-not every day of the year to remind ourselves that we must personally acknowledge and understand our own innate primitive instincts before there can be a chance for lasting peace in this world. Lloyd Atkins, Vernon, B.C. For the first time ever, I attended Remembrance Day ceremonies in Ottawa this year. The ceremonies were so moving. Everything from the pensive faces on the screens, the dignified veterans with their shining medals, the clapping that accompanied the veterans’ parade, the palpable sense of history, pain and grief, it was all a goose bump moment for me.
At one point, I turned to my 20-yearold daughter who had accompanied me, and asked. “Have you ever thought of joining the Armed Forces?” Her reply? “I was just thinking that myself.” Ishnan Kaur, Brampton I could not believe it when I read the Canada Post ad on Page 7. How could anyone mess up In Flanders Fields. Shame on you, Canada Post.
A bigger shame on the Star for publishing it. Don Leigh, Mt. St. Louis, Ont. I wonder whose idea it was to put such a trivial and silly picture of Justin Trudeau on the front page of the Star on Remembrance Day. It seems to me to show poor taste at the very least. There are many more important things for us to be thinking about on this day than Justin Trudeau’s hair.
How about some sort of nod to Remembrance Day? Enid Hardacre, Toronto