Remembrance Day 2001 in Terrace was much the same as it has always been; an important reminder of the sacrifice six decades ago and how lucky we are to live in a free country. There was one difference this year, however, the weather, which, while typically wet, was untypically mild.

The event saw a gathering of war veterans and youth—youth who the veterans hope will never bear their title of veteran. They formed up at the Terrace Shopping Centre, then marched to Tillicum Twin Theatres for the November 11 service. The theatre was filled to capacity, there wasn't an empty seat.

Following the service, the march to the Cenotaph in front of city hall for the laying of the wreathes.

There was one change from the norm, however. The last wreath laid was in memory of the victims of September 11, 2001, in New York and Washington, D.C. The first World War, perhaps, to bring the war front to American soil. The event itself was brief. The effect, though, was thought provoking: Has anything really changed in the past six decades of "progress"?

Change—real change—was perhaps the primary focus of everyone's prayers.

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

— by John McCrae

The making of the poem — by Rob Ruggenberg

www.ruggenberg.com presents: The Heritage of the Great War