Reflections on Remembrance Day 2016
Re Lest we forget, Nov. 11 Remembrance Day passed, as it always does for me, in moments of sadness for those who died and with thoughts of the miracle and luck that allowed others, including my father, to live. And, as always, the role of women and their sacrifice was ignored.
The front page of the Star featured the poignant story, beautifully told by Paul Hunter, of the six men on Toronto’s Howland Ave. who went off to the Great War. But what of the women who sacrificed and suffered so much in their wake?
The Mackenzie House ad in the Star depicted 12 men and asked the question: Do you know my story? But what of their sisters, wives, daughters, girlfriends and mothers? The full-page Royal Canadian Mint ad commemorating the Battle of the Atlantic with a $2 coin portrays a man on a battleship. Perhaps there is a woman on the back of the coin in an armaments factory, driving an ambulance, rolling bandages or spending a lifetime caring for the devastated men who returned. One can only hope. The primary mention of women on Remembrance Day in the Star is in the GTA section and acknowledges us only as war brides.
My mother gave up her art school dreams and worked all through the Second World War in the filth of a pig farm, riding her bicycle an hour and a half each way, six days a week. She lost a fiancé, an uncle, three cousins and countless young men from her hometown in England.
She once said, “For those who died, the suffering ended. But for me it never did.” Alison Griffiths, Burlington At 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, on the Don Mills Rd. #25, my TTC driver pulled over and announced: “In honour of all servicemen and women presently serving, retired or unfortunately killed in active duty, we will be remembering them with a twominute silence.” There was nary a sigh or groan of impatience from passengers, nor disrespect, but rather a sense of true remembrance and reverent respect for those brave souls who gave us all our freedom and present hope in this great nation. What a wonderful gesture by our TTC driver. Canada, home of the free.
As we approached Pape station he did an airline pilot announcement, “Attention passengers. This is your captain speaking . . . approaching our final destination. Presently flying at zero feet . . . sunny and breezy. Hope you enjoyed your trip. Have a wonderful Remembrance Day. And remember.”
I thanked the man and sank into the dark depths of the subway system with a light in my heart and a smile on my face.
We need a society like this. Mike Watkins, Toronto