What will you be doing when the clock strikes 11 a.m. on the 11th day of the 11th month of 2011?
Usually, at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, communities across Canada fall silent. Not a sound is heard as large crowds gathered together for Remembrance Day services remember those who died for us in conflicts around the world, as well as those who served and came home, and those who are still serving.
But this year is a special one. This is the first time since Canada declared November 11 Remembrance Day that the year will also be 11.
So what will you be doing?
I'm going to guess that many will be attending Remembrance Day services around the area, especially those in any way involved with the Royal Canadian Legion.
And I have a feeling most of us will be thinking about those we know who have fought or served in the Canadian Armed Forces, or even those we know who have served in the military of another country, whether we're at Remembrance Day official ceremonies or not.
It's odd to think of it, but there aren't too many left who personally remember those who were lost in World War I or II. They were so long ago, after all. There are more who remember those who came home, who built lives after the war. But actual memories of those lost in those early conflicts are getting hard to come by.
A great-uncle of mine was one of those lost in World War II. Gunnlaugur Dalman, known as Gunner to many, was one of three Dalmans to fight with the Allied Forces in World War II. But he was the only one who didn't come home. Gunner enlisted in the North Nova Scotia Highlanders Regiment in 1943 and served in England, France, Belgium and Holland. He died on April 25, 1945 on active service in Holland.
And that's really all I know about him, besides what he looked like, as photos remain.
My grandmother (Gunner's sister-in-law) at 91, is probably the only person still alive who truly remembers Gunner. His brothers and sisters have all passed on, and most of their spouses, as well. The few nephews and nieces born before he died may carry a few memories of their Uncle Gunner, but they were so young when he died, they are likely quite faded.
For my Amma, as we call her, Gunner is fully formed in her memories and he remains her favourite of her husband's siblings, though he was lost so young. Still, though I never knew him, and have only heard a few stories about him, I do think about him on Remembrance Day. It's important, I feel, to devote at least a few minutes to his memory every year, because of why he died, and because he never got to live his life. War got in the way.
I hope every fallen soldier has at least one person who feels the same way, and who thinks of them on November 11 during those moments of silence, even if they just think of their names.
During those moments of silence, I devote some time to those who didn't fall, who served and survived. My grandfather, Patrick Jellicoe, was one of them. He spent World War II as part of the Navy, though he didn't swim and hated the water. I was lucky enough to get to know my grandpa, because he was lucky enough to come home. And though he did pass away when I was quite young, I have very vivid memories of him which I unearth during those moments of silence on Remembrance Day.
So what will I be doing at 11 a.m. on 11/11/11? I'm going to be remembering these two special men, thinking of all those special people who have served their country, and expressing my thanks to them.
I hope you'll be doing the same.
Lest we forget.
