Mr. Speaker, it has been nearly 100 years since the end of the First World War. Around the world, it is known as Armistice Day, Memorial Day, National Independence Day in Poland, and in the Commonwealth as Remembrance Day.
November 11th is the day for us to solemnly reflect upon the sacrifices made by those who preceded us, making a decision that many of us will hopefully never have to. Remembrance Day is a chance for us to show thanks to those who are to this day buried in lands not of their birth and far from their homes and families. It is an opportunity to share with those who were fortunate enough to have returned our thanks and reverence, while remembering all those who were left behind.
Remembrance Day is not about the glorification of armed conflict. Rather, it is an opportunity for us to show reverence and respect to our elders who have made a decision harder than many of us will ever have to face; to go off beyond the horizon to defend that which they hold dear, to leave behind compatriots and to return to a home having experience they can share with oh so few. Many returning veterans are burdened with traumas which few in the general public fully comprehend. Veterans should rightly be proud of their experience and achievements, and we in the public should not be allowed to have them forgotten.
Mr. Speaker, I want to take this moment to ask all Members in this House, as well as Northerners, to take a moment to reflect, however they best see fit, upon the sacrifices of veterans past, present, and future. We must never cease to show our gratitude to our service men and women, for even today these words still ring true: "Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few." Thank you, Mr. Speaker.