November 11th is called Remembrance Day in Canada. In the US, it’s known as Veteran’s Day. Whatever day it’s called in your country, do take some time to honor those who are braver than you and I to leave behind all they know to face the ugliness of war.

It’s a sacrifice.

I watch on TV as coffins come back from Afghanistan containing the body of a young Canadian who has lost their life. Their family stands on the side in tears. A father, a mother, a wife (or a husband), young children. They cry because the person they love walked on a plane, but returned lying in a coffin

I watch the news and see people lining overpasses, saluting the hearse that drives along the Highway of Heroes (the stretch of the 401 between CFB Trenton where all dead soliders are sent to and downtown Toronto where the autopsy is performed).

Civilians waving the Canadian flag, soliders saluting, police officers standing at attention. The scene sends a shiver up and down my spine. It’s real life.

I get reflective. No matter how much I love my country and my way of life, I always ask myself:

“Do I have the courage to leave all that I know and love behind to fight a war? Do I love my country enough to make this sacrifice?”

I think of my dad who served in the Jamaican army. While he was never deployed, I honor his decision to serve his country. One of my uncles fought in the Korean war. I honor his sacrifice.

No matter your feelings about war, just remember that those who fight in it are real people. Men and women with families, feelings and values.

Don’t honor war on this Remembrance Day. Honor lives lived and lost.

Update: Global National reported that MSNBC did a piece on our Highway of Heroes. Very touching to see how Americans reacted to the story. I could find the video clip of the MSNBC news story on their site, but found it here. Watch it.