The crowd gathered around the cenotaph in my town yesterday was an impressive one, listening as the bagpipe band approached. We saw the RCMP in their Red Surge uniforms…and I felt such pride as I watched my son march towards us…along with the other cadets and members of the procession.

This year, in remembrance of my Father who died at the end of June, I brought with me to the ceremony his military hat adorned with a poppy.

I couldn’t help it…tears bit my eyes when I heard the Last Post bugle call commemorating those who have fallen in war—such a haunting piece of music…a final farewell symbolizing the fact that the duty of the dead soldier is over and that they can rest in peace.

And then when my family and I placed our poppies on the cenotaph (including the poppy from my Dad’s hat) the tears came again.

Thank you to all veterans for the sacrifices you have made.

Melanie Hack
Author of Who Killed My Sister, My Friend
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