Yesterday came and went, quietly, solemnly, yet it carried with it the weight of history, the memories of millions, and the echoes of sacrifice that continue to shape our world. People paused to remember.
For some, it was deeply personal, a father, a grandfather, a friend who never returned. For others, it was a distant story learned in classrooms or seen in old photographs. And for many, it was simply another day, its meaning faint or forgotten amid the rush of modern life.
When dawn broke yesterday, it did so with reverence. Around the world, ceremonies unfolded, poppies were worn, and heads were bowed in silence. Tradition met emotion as humanity once again remembered an event that forever altered the course of history. It was the end of World War I, marked on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
There is deep meaning in this day. It is not only about war but about life itself, about courage, sacrifice, and the unthinkable cost of peace.
Each year, November 11 reminds us of the fragility of humanity and the value of every life lost in conflict. It reminds us that peace is never free. It is earned through unimaginable pain and enduring sacrifice.
Sadly, many people, especially the younger generation, may not fully grasp its significance. The world has changed. Trends rise and fade at lightning speed, and history often struggles to hold its place in our collective memory.
Few today can describe what the trenches of Flanders were like, or what drove so many young men and women to fight in what was then called “the war to end all wars”.
Yet the stories remain, written in history’s pages and etched into the hearts of nations. They tell of mud-filled battlefields, of letters home that never reached their destination, of bravery that defied fear, and of lives extinguished far too soon. In those trenches, humanity witnessed both cruelty and courage.
Each year, Remembrance Day offers us a chance to pause amid our comforts and reflect. Modern wars now happen far from our shores. We watch them unfold on screens, in Ukraine, in Gaza, and in other corners of the world, from the safety of our living rooms. The faces of suffering are real, yet the distance often numbs us to their pain. Still, those who risk their lives, including journalists on the front lines, remind us that war’s horror is not a thing of the past.
Yesterday marked 107 years since the guns of World War I fell silent in 1918. In that silence, a promise was made. A promise to remember. The poppy fields of Flanders became symbols of resilience and hope, reminders that peace must always be guarded, cherished, and never taken for granted.
As we reflect, we must also look inward. We live in a country blessed with peace and diversity. Despite our differences in ethnicity, culture, or faith, we coexist, and that is something precious. Remembrance Day should inspire us to value that harmony, to be kind, to listen, and to resolve conflicts with words, not weapons.
The lessons of November 11 are timeless. They teach us humility, gratitude, and the importance of unity. We owe it to those who gave their lives to keep their legacy alive, not just in ceremony, but in how we live each day.
Yesterday was a day of remembrance. Today, and every day after, should be a day of gratitude. We remember the soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice. We honour their memory by striving to be better, kinder, and more humane.
Lest we forget!
