331 Intermediate Essay, Second Place Sydney Jackson, Branch #043 - Prince George Remembrance Day What does the two minutes of silence mean to you? While many people find the silence uncomfortable, two minutes of silence is not a time to fidget, whisper, or check your social media accounts. It is that time set aside every November 11th to think about and silently thank and remember those war heroes, our ancestors, who left their homes, friends, and families to fight for the freedoms that we all know so well here in Canada. Freedoms like the ability to practice whatever religion we choose. Freedoms like the ability to vote and choose the leader of our city, province and country. While Remembrance Day is usually a sad day for me thinking about the men and women who sacrificed their lives fighting in wars for their freedom and the freedom of generations to come, recently, I discovered photographs and journal entries from my ancestors who fought in the World Wars. The sadness I felt around Remembrance Day grew but more than increased sadness, it became a feeling of enormous pride. The photos of my great-great-grandfather bravely wearing his uniform fills my heart with love and loss. The journal entry filled with excitement as he travelled by train across Canada to basic training before being shipped overseas to the war was confusing to read because I could not imagine feeling excitement about learning how to fight in a war like he did. He fought for us, for our freedom. I might not have had a chance to meet him, but I love hearing stories about him. He did not have to leave his family, and in fact, he was not even of age when he enlisted, but he left his family and went because he loved Canada and felt like it was his duty and responsibility to protect it. I feel proud knowing that people in my family fought for my freedom. Some of my ancestors did not only fight for freedom, but they paid the ultimate sacrifice and lost their life. It is not only a sacrifice of those who died, but also a sacrifice of the family left behind. I imagine that my ancestors whispered thoughts of love for family and friends left behind when on the battlefield. While not all of my family war heroes died in the war, some did and I wish it did not have to end like that for them. Every year, during the two minutes of silence on November 11th, I remember. I not only remember my ancestors but I remember yours too. While I cannot thank them face-to face, in my heart, the two minutes of silence is a chance for a whispered Thank you for fighting for my freedoms." "Thank you for your sacrifice." "Thank you for loving your family and your country." Because of you, I can go to school, vote, pray, sing, laugh, and feel safe. That debt can never be repaid so my two minutes of silence, every year, is to remember you.
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