Language of the Day: Lest We Forget
In honour of Remembrance Day which is every November 11th, we will be looking at some symbols and phrases associated with this holiday.
Remembrance Day is a memorial day observed in Canada and other Commonwealth countries, including the United Kingdom, to commemorate the end of the First World War and to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.
You may have noticed some people wearing red flowers pinned to their coats or have seen messages like “Lest We Forget” on Vancouver’s public transit buses, or you may be wondering why businesses and schools were closed on November 11th. We’ll look at some symbols and phrases associated with Remembrance Day below.
“Lest We Forget” - this phrase is commonly used in war remembrance services and commemorative occasions in English speaking countries. It is an excerpt from an 1897 poem called “Recessional” by Rudyard Kipling who is best known for writing The Jungle Book which was later adapted into a Disney Movie.
The main meaning and concept of “lest we forget” is a plea to not forgot the people who sacrificed their lives and livelihood during the war and to remember to be grateful for the peace and prosperity we have now.
Red poppy - Poppies made from red fabric are worn as a show of support for the Armed Forces community. The symbol of the red poppy also comes from a poem called ”In Flanders Field” which was written by Canadian Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae who served as a brigade surgeon during the first world war.
McCrae spotted a cluster of poppies growing against the bleak and barren landscape which inspired him to write the poem. The red poppy is a symbol of both Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future.
Moment of silence - Remembrance Day is observed on November 11th to recall the end of First World War hostilities which ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918. At 11:00 AM on November 11th (11/11), many people in Canada and around the world hold a moment of silence when no one should speak or make a sound in order to remember the soldiers who served and for those who lost their lives to war.