Editor:

Thoughts on Remembrance Day…

Three small girls knelt in the grass playing not far from the cenotaph as my wife and I arrived to pay tribute with the few hundred others on this overcast Friday morning.

Looking along the small crowded street, I noticed many parents who had also brought along their young children as they came here to pay tribute to those who had sacrificed so much for our well-being and lifestyle.

As the bagpipes echoed down the crowded road, anthem sung, speeches made, silence observed and wreaths laid, I did notice a couple of young boys paying more attention to their small puppy than what was going on around them. Along with this, I also took note of disapproving looks and annoyance at both the young distracted children as well as their parents from many of those around us.

I quietly nudged my wife and smiled pointing slightly in the small boys’ and girls’ direction. Knowing me well, she merely smiled back – she knew my thoughts were with those children.

After all, are not remembrances of sacrifice, courage and blatant acts of bravery best recalled by all those crowding the streets today, and those smiling down on those same streets from far above, who have selfishly given their lives so our children can live in a world where they are allowed to be mere children?

There will come a time, soon enough, when childhood ends and the harsh realities of life can be further taught to them. But for now, let them be what they are – young innocent and happy children. Their time will come.

I’m sure that Les Jacques, our veteran on your front page (A day to remember, Nov. 11) would engage that same “wry smile” and keep that “twinkle” in his eye at the site of all these young, happy, and innocent children as they naively go about their childhood activities, with the thoughts of war, death and dying absent from their young lives. He, perhaps, all too well knows and remembers many fellow comrades who paid the ultimate price so this could happen. Thank you.

Barry Cameron, White Rock

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Lost meaning

I was at a Peninsula establishment during the Nov. 11 day condolences.

At 4 p.m. in the venue, pipers came through.

To my surprise, no one stood up and removed their hats as the pipers entered. Younger people just drank, no one really cared. My friends looked around – as I did – and just sat down.

They have no clue what had to be done to get to where we are – poppies, flybys and there is a lack of respect. But they make $30 per hour.

Bruce Wahl, Abbotsford