General Chat

On the Christian thread I mention how, just because Remembrance Day is over, should we simply forget about it until next year?

When a loved one dies, do we forget about them as soon as the funeral is over?

Life after Armistice Day was tough for both the returning soldiers and the bereaved. We have been looking at just how hard life actually was.

I will respectfully remove the poppy from my coat at the weekend.

Kense .........


Remembrance Day is ALWAYS on November 11.

It is only the UK that may hold its celebrations/remembrances on any other date around the 11th.

November 11 is a Federal Holiday in Canada and other countries, and that is the only day on which any remembrances are held at Cenotaphs.



Cynthia ...............

just because the tradition here is to either leave your poppy at a Cenotaph or on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier if in Ottawa, and that we remove the poppy usually on the next day does NOT mean that we only think of those who have been lost on that day.

That's wrong thinking on your behalf!!

We don't have to be practising Christians (or any other religion) to remember what all soldiers went through AFTER they returned.

You only have to think of those who served in more recent wars who are committing suicide after returning from Iraq, Afghanistan, etc. AND practically nothing is being done for them in most countries, even now.


Perhaps opera companies in the UK, the BBC etc should be charged with representing the relatively new opera called Silent Night around Remembrance Day next year. It's a very powerful reminder of the first Christmas Eve of WW1 when the men from opposite sides met on the battlefield on an impromptu stop fire, Combined with a Symposium based on what is being done down for our veterans would be an EXTREMELY powerful reminder of those who live on the streets, commit suicide, etc.

Google it


We're lucky in Canada, compassionate people have set up various programmes that are really helping veterans, who then go on to help their comrades. I understand the UK has no such programmes.

You are right Sylvia, I should have said Remembrance Sunday or Remembrance Day whichever is the later.

One little point Sylvia, it's not a Federal holiday but Provincial. Government workers etc get the day off but schools etc are open.

Caroline .... you are correct for ONTARIO, although it is a day off in most other provinces ..........

BC comes immediately to mind!

This is from Google ............

Remembrance Day is a federal statutory holiday - with a notable exception of NS, NWT, ON and QC - as it is in many other countries

so 7 out of the 10 provinces and 2 Territories have it as a stat holiday.

No it isn't wrong thinking on my behalf Sylvia, it's something that happens and it has nothing to do with me being a Christian to be honest. Even this week I have read about 'Remembrance Day being over for another year'.


It's a bit like Christmas when we are glad that it is all over and done with and we can revert to our normal routines.


In the past, I have been guilty of removing my poppy almost as soon as I got home and thinking that that's another Remembrance Day over and done with once more, but my attitude has altered as I have grown older. I would be quite happy if the poppy were to remain on here for just a few days after 11th.


On the thread I have equated the fact that, whilst the modern day military personnel may have some better care than 100 years ago, there are still a lot of improvements needed.


Hope that clarifies my point. :-)

No it isn't wrong thinking on my behalf Sylvia, it's something that happens and it has nothing to do with me being a Christian to be honest. Even this week I have read about 'Remembrance Day being over for another year'.


It's a bit like Christmas when we are glad that it is all over and done with and we can revert to our normal routines.


In the past, I have been guilty of removing my poppy almost as soon as I got home and thinking that that's another Remembrance Day over and done with once more, but my attitude has altered as I have grown older. I would be quite happy if the poppy were to remain on here for just a few days after 11th.


On the thread I have equated the fact that, whilst the modern day military personnel may have some better care than 100 years ago, there are still a lot of improvements needed.


Hope that clarifies my point. :-)

No it isn't wrong thinking on my behalf Sylvia, it's something that happens and it has nothing to do with me being a Christian to be honest. Even this week I have read about 'Remembrance Day being over for another year'.


It's a bit like Christmas when we are glad that it is all over and done with and we can revert to our normal routines.


In the past, I have been guilty of removing my poppy almost as soon as I got home and thinking that that's another Remembrance Day over and done with once more, but my attitude has altered as I have grown older. I would be quite happy if the poppy were to remain on here for just a few days after 11th.


On the thread I have equated the fact that, whilst the modern day military personnel may have some better care than 100 years ago, there are still a lot of improvements needed.


Hope that clarifies my point. :-)