Lest We Forget...

On this day in 1918, at the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day of the eleventh month, an armistice was signed that ended World War 1. The following year, King George V dedicated the day as a day of remembrance for those members of the armed forces who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the war.

Remembrance Day now commemorates all those who have made this sacrifice serving their country. The poppy is used as the symbol of Remembrance Day because of Canadian John MacRae's poem, In Flanders Fields which tells of the poppies blooming across the fields in Flanders (the site of some of the fiercest fighting during World War 1). The red colour of the poppies represents the blood that was shed during the battle.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them
Lest we forget.

On this Remembrance Day, wear your poppy proudly and take a minute to honour those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, so that we could live in freedom. Lest we forget.