Forever In Their Debt: The Meaning Of Remembrance Day in 2025

Every November 11th at 11:00 a.m., Canadians pause to remember those who have served our country in times of war, conflict, and peace.

2025 is a particularly important milestone, marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War. As generations pass, fewer veterans from the two World Wars are still living — Burlington’s last living WWII veteran is 101 years old — making Remembrance Day even more important to ensure their stories and sacrifices aren’t lost.

For Barry Moore, Remembrance Day is a time to honour not only those who served in the Great Wars, but recent veterans as well. Moore reminds us that Canada has over 465,000 veterans alive today who have served in global conflicts including Rwanda, Desert Storm and Afghanistan.

Moore has been a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 60 in Burlington for 40 years and now runs the branch’s poppy campaign. To him, wearing the poppy is a display of gratitude. “It’s our way of saying thank you for something we could never really repay.”

Veteran Robert Thomas, who served in Cyprus, the Sinai Desert, Gaza and Beirut, says Remembrance Day is particularly important for youth to understand that the freedoms we enjoy today came at a cost. “We owe a lot to the men and women who have served our country, and those who are presently serving our country,” says Thomas, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 551 in Waterdown.

Remembrance Day offers an opportunity to parents and educators to teach children about Canada’s military history in global conflict. A visit to the Waterdown Museum of Hope provides an opportunity to learn about the Holocaust, the two World Wars, Afghanistan and Korea. The museum is free to enter and is open during Waterdown Legion hours.

Wear a poppy. “It’s our way of saying thank you for something we could never really repay.”
BARRY MOORE, ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION BRANCH 60, BURLINGTON

Remembrance Day also offers an opportunity to display Canadian pride. “As Canadians, we’ve got a lot of respect around the world,” says Thomas. “We don’t take a lot of baggage with us, and we’re not there to take people’s country. We’re there to be honest brokers to try to prevent war,” he says.

Moore says he has seen a surge in Remembrance Day participation from newcomers. “New Canadians from countries who have seen war and know what it’s about, and really appreciate the freedom that we have here, understand the sacrifice it took for us to have that,” he says.

How to Participate in Remembrance Day

While Remembrance Day isn’t a full statutory holiday in Ontario, there are many ways you can participate and honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Wear a Poppy

The poppy has been a symbol of remembrance in Canada since 1921. Poppy sales help to support veterans and their families.

Observe Two Minutes of Silence

The end of the First World War was announced at 11:00 am on November 11, 1918. It’s in remembrance of this important moment in history that Canadians pause at exactly 11:00 am on November 11th for two minutes of silence to recognize the sacrifices of all who served.

Attend a Local Ceremony

Several Remembrance Day ceremonies take place in our community. A notable one is the Burlington Remembrance Day Parade. Starting at Central High School, the parade of armoured jeeps, marching veterans and the Burlington Teen Tour Band concludes with a ceremony beside City Hall. Planes fly overhead, making this a spectacular show of Remembrance.