It doesn’t feel right not going into school this morning. I can’t understand why we all have the day off. And everyone I’ve talked to can’t seem to understand why I’d argue against having a day off. I have my reasons though and I don’t think I am the only one. At least, I hope not.

First off, Remembrance Day is a solemn day that I feel needs to be observed. Having today as a holiday lessens the chance that it will be. I know that many of my students do not plan to attend the ceremony at the Cenotaph this morning. I urged them to go or at least watch coverage of it (or any other ceremony) on TV.

One of the other teachers also mentioned it to my class yesterday. Instead of teaching his usual lesson to the class, he took the time to explain the importance of this day. He had the students make cards to bring with them tomorrow to the community’s ceremony. Most of the kids told him that they weren’t going. One kid threw his hands in the air to proclaim that he was going to the movies. I just shook my head.

My second reason for not wanting a holiday on this day is that many people will be out and about doing all sorts of things. It will be a day of early Christmas shopping, going to the movies, and wasting time. Many people won’t even stop to observe a moment of silence at 11:00 a.m. The point of the holiday will be lost.

I remember the school assemblies I had as a kid. I remember the moment of silence. I remember how my teachers made a big deal out of it all. I understood the importance of it. I actually liked observing the day. When I got out of school, I made it a point to go downtown and observe the ceremony at Gore Park, and I still do.

We are slowly losing our veterans. We need to honour them with this day. We need to remember their sacrifice and the ultimate sacrifice of their friends. We need to observe this day and not just let it pass us by.