Author's note- We had our Remembrance Day ceremony in school today, since we get tomorrow off. It got me thinking, especially about Vimy Ridge.
He looked above himself, at the soaring towers that made the memorial. The stone cold and etched with thousands of names, of those who died and of those who were lost, presumed dead, bodies never to be found for their families back home. A remind of the battle that happened here, a defining moment in him making his name as a nation, for the world to recognize Canada. A reminder of a war that had shook the world. They were all here, on November 11, Remembrance Day, all the nations that were once enemies and allies in the First World War.
It was a tradition they had. They'd take turns, having at different memorials that meant something to their country. This year, it was Canada's turn. It was fitting. It was even more important to the Canadians this year. As Prime Minister Stephen Harper had put it, "It was the end of an era." The last Canadian veteran of World War I had passed away this year, leaving the only remaining link to that past a man that the nation he embodied would never know about.
The poppies were beautiful, a scarlet reminder of life in trenches, of lice and rats, of filth and disease, of death and decay. A poem forever burned into Matthew's heart, written by a man that had to watch his friend die, unable to help him. His thoughts couldn't help but be vaulted back to the war, back to when he watched countless people die fighting for what they believed in. To the first time he heard In Flanders Field, it's beautifully solemn words painting an image of that time.
It seemed like even the weather quieted for this moment, stilling its cool breezes for a moment of silence. Two minutes of deafening quiet, of thinking of the sacrifices made to create the world the way it was to day. Time spent remembering those who gave up their lives and those still risking them for peace at this very moment. For the people off fighting wars, not knowing if they'd see tomorrow, wondering when they would be able to hold a dear one in their arms again.
Canada's thoughts leapt from battle to battle, like all of the other countries present. Moments filled with blood and carnage flashed before him, gunfire blocking out all other sounds as dust and flying metal blotted out the sky. He'd been here during the battle, the day his country's troop came together to take Vimy Ridge, Hill 145 at its highest point. A defense that had left the French and British defeated had only taken the Canadians under week to capture, placing them on the military map.
He hadn't noticed when the silent tears began streaming down his face, a stone cold mask showing no other signs of emotion. He only knew there would still only continue to be names added to the list of those remembered on this day. Those who'd meet untimely ends, fighting for country and loved ones, for beliefs and rights.
The ceremony ended. A quiet hush still over everyone as they took one last look at the ridge that was within France, but belonging to Canada. Of course, this wasn't the only battle site, wasn't the only memorial to remember those who had fallen. There were others, whether they be for current wars or ones that had past. It was never just about one battle, about one fleeting moment in history, but about everything as a whole. Matthew Williams looked out on land surrounding him, at the site of a historic battle that changed people's views on his nation. He knew well enough that this wasn't the only place to visit, to honor the memory of the fallen. He saw the other memorials, the other sites that ceremonies like this one had just been held. He stood there, frozen, as the emotions of a country that would always remember flowed through him.
Lest We Forget.
Author's note- Please review, your thoughts on this would be appreciated. Also, please tell me if I made any mistakes, whether they be grammatical or historic facts.