We must not forget!

It was my first time attending Remembrance Service and I was deeply moved by the whole liturgy. Many people wear poppies on Remembrance Day to honor and remember soldiers who sacrificed their lives for peace and freedom during wartime. It is inspired by the poem In Flanders Fields written by a Canadian poet Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. The poem describes how the poppies bloom on the soldiers’ graves on the battlefields of Flanders in Belgium. Since poppies are among the few flowers that can grow in war-torn soil, they become a symbol of resilience and sacrifice. The proceeds from poppy sales are used to support veterans and their families.

The sermon mentioned that we should not forget those people who gave their lives for peace, justice, freedom, and our future, just as Christians meet at the Eucharist in memory of Jesus Christ.  Some people ask, “Why do we need to mourn every year?” “Why can’t we simply forget the sad events?”. As mentioned in the sermon in our act of Remembrance, it re-connects us, binding past, present, and future together. It helps us understand what happened, why, and how to prevent history from repeating again.  

The purple poppy is a symbol of remembrance for animal that died in war

When the candles were lit, I could not hold my tears back. I am grateful that I can live here today and be part of this Remembrance Service. I am thankful for those people who have worked or are still working hard for peace, justice, and freedom. We must not forget! As mentioned in the prayer, we will not forget those who brought us freedom and hope.
 
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.”

– From For the Fallen by British poet Laurence Binyon

Traditional Chinese

Date: November 2024