Three Boy Scouts walked tall across the green expanse, leading from the sidewalk to the cenotaph. They struggled a little... it's awkward for six short arms to grasp a wreath and carry it in sync without tripping.
But they did. They placed their symbol of remembrance, next to others brought by soldiers, politicians, seniors, community leaders, etc.
They stood in silence, as if they recognized a name carved into the granite monument, erected nearly a century before they were born.
They moved slightly left in unison, removed poppies from their lapels and pinned them on a makeshift cushion to remember unknown soldiers.
Pleased that they had accomplished their orders, they retreated to the safety of the Scouting pack.
A different uniform approached the podium. A medal adorned his chest as he stood at attention and told the waiting minds what it was like to be a veteran of Afghanistan. Veterans are supposed to be much older, not young like this Corporal. His age, no more than double the ages of the Boy Scouts, yet his countenance portrayed a face that had experienced and witnessed more of the horrors of war than some people three times his age.
His voice quavered as he recounted how he and others had 'caught the torch' described by John McCrae in his poem 'In Flanders Fields'. McCrae had challenged future generations of soldiers to 'take up our quarrel with the foe; to you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high'.
We caught the torch and held it high, he pledged.
But at a high price, I thought.
He told about one friend who died in battle, and another who died because he could not cope with what the battle had done to him.
Yet, he declared, 'I am proud to be a Canadian, and I do remember them'.
He urged the nearly 500 listening ears to remember all soldiers, living and dead.
Across the nation, similar scenes are played out in cities and villages, on national stages and lonely outposts, in outdoor venues and hospital wards as Canadians commemorate those who died in service to their country for the causes of 'liberty, justice and peace'.
The paths of the young corporal and the Boy Scouts may never cross again, but they may forever remember this meeting and why they interfaced on a cold November morning in front of a granite monument, surrounded by hundreds of people who gathered together to remember those who sacrificed their lives for them.
Let's hope they remember, lest we all forget.
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