Remembering The Future

Yesterday was Remembrance Day.  While I didn’t do anything specific to honour those who died fighting, I do think about what the day means.  As a number of World War I and II veterans declines, what will we be remembering?

I began to wonder if now is the time to start remembering not only those who have died in the past but also those who are engaged in fighting right now as well as those we don’t want to fight in the future.  I’m not so sure we have done a good job of honouring the fallen.  Countless thousands gave their lives so others wouldn’t have to suffer such atrocities in the future.  Yet here we are with numerous wars, genocides, oppressions and the like raging on around the world.  The simple fact history is repeating itself exemplifies we have not kept our end of the deal.

So what do we do, what do I need to do in order to stop this insanity.  More importantly, who do we need to become, who do I need to BE in order to prevent our children and their children from replaying this same history all over again.  I am saddened to think of the legacy being created for continued suffering, pain and violence for those who are not even born yet.

Remembrance Day is more than an honouring of the past.  This day, and every day is an opportunity to recreate our future anew.