As I raise two young children I often work to bridge the reality of the adult world with the reality that a child understands. This week the challenge has been to explain the gravity and why's of Remembrance Day. One thing that hit me is that our day of honour is not called Veteran's Day. Meaning, that we could alter the focus of this day slightly to make it more accessible. As the years pass, children have no connection through Grandparents about the war. The pictures of WW1 and 2 are not as prominent in publications. The stories are a little less relevent (or so it seems) in this ever changing and expanding world. My proposal is to better link the past with the present, and the efforts in the present to secure the future. Huh you say?
Why not continue to educate about the reasons for our involvement in WW1 and 2. The violation of rights, the abuse and strategic murder of a population. That there is a moral requirement to stand up when others are not able to stand up for themselves. Then take this day to honour those who stood up as young men and women to try and make changes. Then move to the present. Focus on the freedoms we have, and the people who help ensure those freedoms. Look at those who have less than us, and why there continues to be fighting and killing and we are involved. Why do we still fight? To protect, to ensure safety of civilians, to build a future for them? And finally, focus on real things we can do for the future. Eliminate racism, ethnicity related discrimination. Encourage tolerance and acceptance. Encourage all to learn to appreciate what makes us different.
A Day of Significance, with a significant role and goal is what I would like to see. If we cannot explain the reasons to our children for our involvement in aggressive behaviour, perhaps that is a sign to think twice.