16-moe Cariadian Champion, FrIday, Octaber 22,1999ý 'w PTE* ul (>0E) November 1lst tothe 1llth Durng the Zth cntury, Canada's mlitary frcs, merchait navy, police fores and other para-mlltary and clviian-based organizations have been embrolled ln five wars, and numerous peacekeeping missions. More than 1.7 million Canadlafhs fought ln the major wars alone. Many of them perlshed; others were dlsabled for life. Ai endured tremendous sufferlng and hardship. Wlth the passage of time, wOli Canada forget their courage and sacrifices? What can we do to ensure that the memory of these Cariadian Heroes lives on? Preseuvlng "Remembrance" Sinice Its formation in 1926, The Royal Canadian Legion has been dedlcated to perpetuat- ing the memory of Canadians who served and died ln battie. As the iargest veterans'-* based communlty service organization ln Canada, the Legion is contlnuaily striving to find new ways to remember and commemorate their sacrifices. Paylng silent tilibute The Armistice ending Worid War i was slgned at the 11 th hour of the 11 th day of the il th month ln the year 1918. Soon after, Canadians began to observe the anniversary with two minutes of silence. Aithough It became a tradition which iasted for many years, the cus- tom has today ai but disappeared. Now, as we come to the end of a century of war, efforts are being made to revive it. ln 1999, The Royal Canadian Legion and Veterans Affairs Canada wiii launch a "2-Minute Wave of Silence" across the country. As the dlock strikes 11 a.m. (local time> on I1 November Canadians wili pause for two minutes ln sulent tribute to Canada's failen heroes. Cars and buses wli come to a hait, workers wili iay down tools, students wiii stand by their desks, stock exchanges wili fal sulent, and broadcasters wiii cease speaking for two minutes. But Canada is a vast country with six time zones and the entire population cannot pause at once. Starting in Newfoundiand, therefore, the Wave of Silence wiii roll across the time zones gaining momentum as Canadians pause to remember. With the participation of Canadian miiitary forces and dipiomatic personnel stationed abroad, the Wave may even be extended around the world. During the 2Oth century, hundreds of thousands of young Canadians died whiie defending our freedom. As the century comes to an end and the next miiienniumn begins, we encourage ail Canadians to take 2 minutes on November 11, 1999 to thank them and pay sulent tribute to their memory. In Fianders Fieds> In Rlanders fields the popples blow Between the crosses, row oni 10W. mhat mark our place; and ln the sky mhe Iarks. stili bravely singing. fly Scaroe heard amlid the Suris below. We are the Dead. Short days ago We lved, fieit dawn, saw sunset glow. rLoved and were Ioved, and now we lie -, In Flandersfils ';Take up our quarrel wM the foe; To you, from failIng hands we mhrow mhe torch; be yours to hold It hlgh. If ye break faith wlth us who die &.We shall fot sleep, mhough popples grow In Flanders fields.9 Take two minutes toi sa) thank you SiIYENCE "The l rave of Silence" They shall grow flot aid, As we tha t are left grow oid. Age shahl fot weary them, Nor the years condemn. At thegqoing down of the sun, Andiln the momning, We WIII Remember lliem.