Why I wear a poppy…

At this time of year we start to see people wearing poppies in remembrance of those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today. I wear one to say thanks:
For those who died defending our liberties and stopping tyranny and the abuses of our fellow man;
For those who returned home, scarred by the injuries they suffered that were both visible and the ones that were hidden;
For those who left the comforts of their home, trained and travelled to lands far off and who received the eternal thanks of liberated people as they marched;
To those cut down in their youth who will never see the hope and promise the free nations became;
To those who in peace keeping missions tried to preserve tenuous peace treaties and to assist oppressed citizens;
To those who believed that our freedoms were rightly worth dying for and the price of freedom really is “eternal vigilance”;
For the members of my family who fought and perished and those that returned home safely;
For my family members who still serve today whether it is with the Princess Pats, the US Marines, Navy, the Royal Air Force or the reserves;
For the families of those who have served and whose hearts skip a beat when news of a fallen Canadian reaches us;
For all those who gather in solemn remembrance in the cold clear days of November and watch the procession of dignitaries and veterans pause after laying a wreath at cenotaphs;
To remind me that the life I have has been paid for by generations of brave men and women and my freedom and ability was on their sacrifices;
To the greatest country in the world who has given me the opportunity I enjoy.

It is always an honour to be able to walk beside the Legionnaires, and active members as we make our way to the Cenotaph. To be able to participate and to pause and lay a wreath at the Cenotaph.

My family is not any different then most peoples in Canada who will reflect the next few days of the freedoms we have won and the price we have all paid.

Wear the poppy with pride, humility and peaceful reflection.
We will Remember them…


An uncle, Major Somerville was the aide de Camp for President Roosevelt in WW2

My Dad in Acton in the Masales Dairy truck on the spontaneous parade that happened after WW2 ended.

Remembrance Day and Cenotaph Services

“Never in the face of human conflict has so much been owed by so many to so few”
Winston Churchill

Each year I am fortunate to be invited to participate in the Royal Canadian Legion Cenotaph Services. Most years I am asked to march with the Legion members and to lay a wreath. I get a chance to visit with them and enjoy their company over lunch and the social hour that follows.
The Cenotaph services in Acton, Georgetown and Glen Williams are always well attended. There is always a great crowd of people showing their respect to those who paid the supreme sacrifice. Also, to those who have served peace time operations. Or who have served in other wars. We must remember that today, Canadians are still putting there lives at risk for us. Fighting the war in Afghanistan or serving in UN missions around the world.
Over the last few years we have seen a shift in Remembrance Day, we have lost our last World War 1 soldier and we are losing most of our Soldiers who fought in World War 2 and Korea. We are not losing them to a foreign enemy but the one who most of us will lose to eventually, old age.
We have in that time seen great respect and public outpouring for those who are fighting in Afghanistan and serving in our armed Forces. Most cars have a support our troop’s sticker on them, or poppies or other magnets to remind us. People are wearing red on Friday in a show of support.
We as a nation mourn together when news of another young life lost reaches us. People by the thousands stand on bridges and on the side of the Highway of Heroes and watch as a procession brings them home. We close the busiest Highway in the Country to show our respect.
Having family who fought in past conflicts and some that have served in Afghanistan and Iraq brings the procession close to home. Every time I hear of a soldier’s death I silently hope and pray it is not a relative. The first name on the Cenotaph in Georgetown is Air Force F/Lt C N Somerville. Killed in training in 1915. Imagine the Air Force in 1915.


I am fortunate to be able to do the job that I do because of those who came before me. People from all walks of life have fought for this country and the ideals we hold dear. They did not fight for glory they fought for principles.

Tomorrow, as I will do many times over the year, I will pause and say thank you and pay respect to our veterans. Whether it is Remembrance Day, Armistice Day, Veterans Day or what ever you observe in our Town, City or Country, you should do the same.

Lest we Forget