Another Remembrance Day.
Another day to pause, to reflect, to gather with others, to simply reminisce - all focused on those who have served our country in war and in peace, who have put themselves at risk in service to others, and who have often paid an extreme price in this service.
Each year we think about our own family members and how they served their country.
Also each year we receive inquiries from people trying to locate information, a grave, or some other connection to a family member with a military past.
Last year, as a result of a number of requests, we noted some local sites and areas that have, as part of their history, a relationship to the military.
Here this year are a few more examples.
From Sapperton and the time of the First World War, we have a person's memory and family account of troops training in that New Westminster neighbourhood. But where? Sapperton Park might be possible, or the land that would become Hume Park. We have heard some stories but to date, nothing concrete. What we do know is that many military groups went out on training marches all over the Lower Mainland; maybe that is what we have here in this memory. The group involved in this question was the Canadian Engineers. Anyone know for sure where they trained?
Another memory from the First World War and training marches relates to a set of wonderful photographs of a long line of men with heavy packs and other military paraphernalia, marching steadily on our city streets.
Some photos show First Street, but the most intriguing show lower Eighth Street and provide a very interesting view of the buildings and businesses that used to line that major thoroughfare. Interesting reminiscence on more than one level.
One inquiry had to do with the end of the Second World War, and a local military group arriving home in the Royal City.
It involved a train station and a large open area surrounded by trees - the latter points, somewhat vague, coming from a child's memories of being part of a welcome.
The question simply was "where did this take place?" This answer was simple and this individual spent some emotional time visiting the CPR train station at the foot of Eighth Street, then moving on to Queen's Park. Her "group" ended up being the Westminster Regiment, so another visit and lots of time was spent at their museum.
Whether you have personal connections and memories such as these or others, Remembrance Day gives us all a specific day to remember. No matter how you remember, take a moment on Nov. 11 to think of those who have served and those who did not return home.
"At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them."
