Remembrance Day is something that we celebrate every year, remembering and recognizing the veterans who fought and died in the wars to enable us to enjoy the freedoms that we have today.

Growing up, Remembrance Day was just another day off school to me. Yes we would do the crafts or projects in school leading up to the day and we usually had a Remembrance Day assembly of some kind where we had a veteran come in and talk to us about his/ her experiences. Honestly, it meant nothing to me, I was a kid, and though they were teaching me and telling me about I didn’t understand.

Over the past couple of years due to the involvement with my own children and the Leader in Training program that I volunteer with at the YMCA, I have learned and discovered the depth of what Remembrance Day really is and what are some of the things that we can do to celebrate and recognize it.

Each year we have been doing a Peace Project with the Leaders in Training. Last year we had the kids write postcards to those who were serving overseas, thanking them for their service. This year we shared the story of Sadako, a young Japanese girl who was only 2 years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, and had them make paper cranes to fill up a jar that we then displayed on the counter at Member Services. We also had a wonderful guest speaker, Brent Harris who works for Veterans Affairs, come in and do a scavenger hunt with the kids all through the YMCA. It was a great way for the youth to learn about the wars and the impacts and importance of Remembrance Day.

There are many other projects that can be done as well. Crocheting hats and scarfs for veterans, donating to the Veteran’s Food Bank. There is something for everyone to help with or contribute too.

I think that it is important for us all to do something, even if it is as simple as wearing a poppy or doing a craft with the kids. The kids may not get it or understand it when they are younger but they will know and recognize that something of importance is going on, and it may take them, like me, until they are adults to really understand and appreciate Remembrance Day, but we can still teach them about it and do things in and around this day. And the more we do the more impact it will have on future generations.

So take the family this Remembrance Day and participate in a community event or create a project at home. At the very least have everyone wear a poppy and show that you remember and are thankful for your freedom in this beautiful country we live in.