Remembrance Day on November 11 primarily honours those who died in the line of duty, though its scope has expanded to recognize all who have served.
- The War Dead / Fallen: Remembrance Day’s core and historical purpose is to commemorate military members who lost their lives in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations.
- The Wounded: The observance explicitly includes and acknowledges those who suffered physical or psychological injuries and trauma as a result of service.
- Veterans and Living Service Members: Over time, tradition and official focus have grown to thank, honour, and remember all living veterans and current members of the Armed Forces who served their country in wartime or peacetime.
In Canada, Remembrance Day explicitly honours the fallen, the wounded, and all veterans who have served.
While the historic focus began with those who died in battle, Veterans Affairs Canada officially dictates that the day is dedicated to honouring all Canadian military personnel, past and present, living and dead.
How Canada Honours Each Group
- The Fallen (The Dead)
The core focus of national ceremonies, like the one at the National War Memorial in Ottawa, is the solemn commemoration of the more than 118,000 Canadians who lost their lives in service. The two minutes of silence at 11:00 AM, the playing of The Last Post, and the placing of poppies on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier directly honour their supreme sacrifice.
- The Wounded
Remembrance Day explicitly recognizes those who returned home with “wounds of war,” both visible and invisible. The Royal Canadian Legion and national ceremonies place immense emphasis on supporting and recognizing veterans living with physical disabilities, operational stress injuries (OSIs), and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) resulting from their service.
- Living Veterans and Active Members
The day also honours living veterans from the Second World War, the Korean War, the war in Afghanistan, and various international peacekeeping missions. It also honours currently serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF). During ceremonies, living veterans and active service personnel march in the parades, and citizens are encouraged to wear a poppy as a visual promise never to forget their service.
Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day owing to the tradition of wearing a remembrance poppy) is a memorial day observed in former countries of the British Empire, and current Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty. Commonwealth countries also mark the day with war remembrances. In most countries, Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of First World War hostilities. Hostilities ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month” of 1918, in accordance with the armistice signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente between 5:12 and 5:20 that morning. (“At the 11th hour” refers to the passing of the 11th hour, or 11:00 am.) The First World War formally ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June 1919.
The tradition of Remembrance Day evolved out of Armistice Day. The first official Armistice Day was held at Buckingham Palace, commencing with King George V beginning a “Banquet in Honour of the President of the French Republic” during the evening hours in November 1919. During the Second World War, many countries changed the name of the holiday. Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations adopted Remembrance Day, while the US chose Veterans Day.
Prayer of the Faithful
Invitation to Prayer:
My brothers and sisters,
Conscious of the dangers our troops face,
let us implore God for their safety,
the precious gift of peace and the pursuit of reconciliation.
A) For the Canadian Armed Forces:
– For those who are serving this country,
abroad or at home, by land, by sea, or in the air;
for their mission to bring peace and security in other lands;
and for God’s protection from all perils and injury,
we pray to the Lord.
– For the Canadian Armed Forces and all peacekeepers;
and for wisdom and justice as they carry out their duty
for God and country, we pray to the Lord.
– For the Canadian troops and all peacekeepers;
for the people they strive to protect;
and for God’s care upon all who serve,
we pray to the Lord.
– For peace with justice throughout the world and in our own land;
for those engaged in military action;
and for the safety of the personnel of the Canadian Armed Forces,
we pray to the Lord.
– For those engaged in military service;
for those who combat war and violence daily,
and risk their lives that our world may know peace,
we pray to the Lord.
– For all Canadian soldiers;
for those who risk their lives for the good of others;
and for all who serve the common interest of our country,
we pray to the Lord.
– For the Canadian Armed Forces;
for the military personnel who have gone overseas,
and for all who long for their safe return,
we pray to the Lord.
B) For Their Families:
– For those in the service of our country and of peace;
for their families and children at home;
and for God’s strength and assistance in this time of separation,
we pray to the Lord.
– For families separated from their loved ones in the military;
and for the strength they need to face this time of isolation and uncertainty,
we pray to the Lord.
– For families who have lost loved ones in war or conflict;
and for God’s consolation for those who mourn,
we pray to the Lord.
C) For Those Who Support Them:
– For the Church and all military chaplains,
for preachers and counsellors,
and for all who bring guidance and support to our troops and their families,
we pray to the Lord.
– For all who support our troops in this time of trial;
for doctors, nurses and care-givers;
and for all who need to see the face of a loving God,
we pray to the Lord.
– For those who aid the process of recovery for all wounded troops;
for counsellors and chaplains,
and for all volunteers who continue to help them and their families,
we pray to the Lord.
D) For Victims of War:
– For all prisoners and combatants;
for victims of conflict or oppression;
and for God’s mercy upon all who suffer,
we pray to the Lord.
– For all victims of war or terrorism;
for refugees who seek safety and shelter;
and for the families of the Canadian Armed Forces who have lost a loved one,
we pray to the Lord.
– For those whose trust in God has been shaken by war or world events;
and for all victims of war or terrorism,
we pray to the Lord.
– For all who engage in terrorism,
blinded by the pride and the desire for vengeance,
we pray to the Lord.
– For those who walk in the midst of trouble,
and those victimized by the wrath of others,
we pray to the Lord.
– For all whose lives are invaded or marked by evil,
and those who fail to forgive,
unable to communicate to others the mercy granted by God,
we pray to the Lord.
– For all those whose lives are touched by war or terror:
for aid-workers in war-torn countries;
and for refugees and citizens of nations under attack,
we pray to the Lord.
E) For Government Leaders:
– For wisdom, compassion and peace within our government and nation,
for a recognition of the dignity of every human person;
and for the safety of all Canadian peacekeepers,
we pray to the Lord.
– For leaders of nations and peoples,
as they work to implement lasting and just solutions to war, hunger and poverty,
we pray to the Lord.
– For our troops engaged with higher authorities,
in searching for the common good and security of people,
we pray to the Lord.
F) For All Oppressors and Enemies:
– For those whose lives give birth to evil;
for those who pervert the truth and turn to violence,
and for all people who seek the ways of justice and peace,
we pray to the Lord.
– For those who walk in darkness;
for those who subvert the truth of God’s love;
and for all who seek the light of understanding and tolerance,
we pray to the Lord.
– For those who believe that violence is a means to a better world
or a way to equality or justice,
and for those who seek revenge for injustice,
we pray to the Lord.
– For all who, by love and mercy,
make visible God’s Kingdom,
we pray to the Lord.
Closing Prayer:
Lord our God,
hear our prayers for peace
and grant that your Spirit
will move in the hearts of all people
to work for an end of violence.
May our prayers and works of penance
unite us with those who are deprived of liberty,
with all who pursue the cause of justice and peace,
and with those separated from their homes and families.
We make our prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Let Us Pray
Loving God, as we gather here today, our hearts are full of memories of
friends, comrades, and countrymen who served under arms in wars fought for
freedom. We come to remember those who fell in battle and those who, while
they did not die, offered their bodies, hearts, and energies fighting for
a better world. We ask Lord that you would grace us with your presence,
that you would help us in our pain, and that you would hear our prayers
and have regard for our thoughts this day. Bless us and bless all those
who gave the best of themselves for our country; we ask it in Jesus’ name.
AMEN.
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