War has always been the inevitable result of human mismanagement of conflicts. War has many faces and facets, and we all tend to experience it at some point in our daily interactions, although most of us are as lucky as to still live in the safety of our homes. My thoughts are with all those who are now involved in a real war, the Many among civilians and soldiers undergoing bombardments, facing violence and deprivation of their basic human rights as a consequence of the disputes between the Few.
Similarly, and inevitably, those same thoughts go to those who have fought and died in the line of duty.
During the month of November, both Italy and Canada, the two Countries I call my Home, celebrate events related to World War I, respectively the National Unity and Armed Forces Day on 4th November and Remembrance Day on 11th November.
My own grandgrandfather, nonno Pasquale, was involved in WWI on the Tagliamento river in Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, Italy. Reportedly at the time he was only 17 years old, but due to the seriousness of the situation he, as well as many other boys, had been enlisted to suppor the Nation. Nonno Amedeo instead, my grandfather, was involved in WWII and deployed to Tobruk, Lybia.
They were both lucky and within a few years managed to return home to their traumatized families, nonetheless many others did not return and if they did, they suffered unspeakable physical and unbearable emotional wounds at a time when PTSD was not even taken into account.
War seems to have been the inevitable response of humans to conflict ever since we can remember, despite the inescapable and predictable cross-generational aftermath. Will we ever learn? Will we ever coexist as humans, value common ground and recognize differences as precious cultural nuances of humanity?
In our evolution as human beings we necessarily face the past while striving to create a better future. Remembering whom and what we have lost can certainly guide us if we observe from a place of gratitude, acknowledgment and hope.
So LEST WE FORGET and let’s take a minute to consider the past.
National Unity and Armed Forces Day & Remembrance Day
In November, two relevant events occur in Italy and Canada, the National Unity and Armed Forces Day , which takes place in Italy on 4th November, and Remembrance Day, which is celebrated on 11th November in Canada.
Also Commonwealth countries remember armed forces members who have died in the line of duty, typically with a one- or two-minute silence at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month (11:00 am, 11 November), as that marks the time (in the United Kingdom) when the armistice became effective.
The Service of Remembrance in many Commonwealth countries generally includes the sounding of the "Last Post", followed by the period of silence, followed by the sounding of "Reveille" or sometimes just "The Rouse". The Service of Remembrance is finished by a recitation of the "Ode of Remembrance". Services also include wreaths laid to honour the fallen, blessings, and national anthems.
Italy
In Italy, the National Unity and Armed Forces Day is observed on 4th November to commemorate the country's victory in World War I, and the completion of the process of unification of Italy.
4th November is the anniversary of the Armistice of Villa Giusti, which de facto ended combat between the Allies of World War I and Austria-Hungary in 1918.
Established in 1919, 4 November is the only Italian national holiday which has survived through decades of Italian history: from the liberal period to fascist and republican Italy.
During the National Unity and Armed Forces Day, on 4 November, the President of Italy and other prominent officers of the State pay homage to the Italian Unknown Soldier (Milite Ignoto) at the Altare della Patria in Rome, visit the Redipuglia War Memorial, where 100,000 Italian soldiers died in the First World War, as well as Vittorio Veneto, where the last and decisive battle between the Royal Italian Army and the Austro-Hungarian Army occurred.
The Italian President and Minister of Defence send the Italian Armed Forces a greeting and gratitude message on behalf of the whole country for serving and protecting the country.
During this national holiday, the Frecce Tricolori, the aerobatics display team of the Italian Air Force exhibit and a change of guard takes place at the Quirinal Palace, with Corazzieri and the fanfare of 4th Carabinieri Cavalry Regiment in high uniform. It is worth mentioning that this rite only occurs on two other occasions, during celebrations of National Flag Day (Festa del Tricolore - Giornata Nazionale della Bandiera, 7 January) and Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica, 2 June).
On this occasion, the Italian Army Forces typically open the barracks to the public and allow visits to the naval military units. Arms showings and exhibitions on WWI are often held inside barracks, moreover sport shows and drills are carried by soldiers.
People crowd the squares of the main Italian cities, where concerts are held by military bands, as well as other celebrations in front of the Monument to the fallen situated in each town.
Canada
Remembrance Day (also known as Poppy Day owing to the tradition of wearing a remembrance poppy) is a memorial day observed in Commonwealth member states since the end of the First World War in 1919 to honour armed forces members who have died in the line of duty.
As previously stated, hostilities formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918, in accordance with the armistice signed by representatives of Germany and the Alliance that morning, although the First World War officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on 28 June 1919.
The tradition of Remembrance Day evolved out of Armistice Day.
which was inaugurated to celebrate the end of the Great War in 1919. Unfortunately, "the war to end all wars" did not end warfare altogether, as barely a generation later, World War II erupted across the globe and we are now facing an umptenth world threat.
The first Armistice Day commemoration was in 1919, when King George V called on all countries in the British Empire to observe it.It was later placed on a statutory footing in 1921, after the Parliament of Canada provided that Thanksgiving and Armistice Day would both be held on the Monday of the week in which 11 November fell. The name changed from Armistice Day to Remembrance Day in 1931 with its observance fixed on 11 November, whereas Thanksgiving was fixed on the second Monday of October. During the Second World War, Member states of the Commonwealth of Nations adopted the name Remembrance Day, while the US chose Veterans Day.
The national ceremonies organized by the federal government are held at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. These are presided over by the governor general of Canada and attended by the prime minister, other dignitaries, the Silver Cross mother, and public observers. Occasionally, a member of the Canadian royal family may also be present .
English and French languages are used throughout the ceremony because Ottawa is officially bilingual, being the area a mix of anglophones and francophones.
The commemoration typically begins with the tolling of the carillon in the Peace Tower, during which current members of the Armed Forces arrive at Confederation Square, followed by the Ottawa diplomatic corps, ministers of the Crown, special guests, the RCL, the royal party, and the viceregal party.
The moment of remembrance begins with the 21-gun salute fires and the bells of the Peace Tower toll the hour. Two minutes go by between the first and second volleys of the gun salute to maintain silence for that period. The end of the two minutes of silence is cued by the playing of a lament, the bugling of "The Rouse", and the reading of the Act of Remembrance. A flypast of Royal Canadian Air Force craft then occurs, upon the completion of which a choir sings "In Flanders Fields".
The various parties then lay their wreaths at the base of the memorial; one is set by the Silver Cross mother (a recent recipient of the Memorial Cross) on behalf of all mothers whose children died in conflicts in which Canada participated. Then the assembled armed forces personnel and veterans performing a march in front of the viceroy and any royal guest, bringing about the end of the official ceremonies.
Modern Remembrance Day - Wearing a poppy
Millions of Canadians, along with people around the world, wear a red poppy in November to honour the memories of those who lost their lives to war. The poppy calls back to a poem, "In Flanders Fields," by John McCrae, a physician who saw first-hand the horrors of war. The poem's popularity led to widespread adoption of the red poppy as a symbol of the lost.
Listen to Canadian legend Leonard Cohen recite the poem in this video: Leonard Cohen recites “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae
Watch these beautiful Poppy Story book animation and The Poppy Story videos for more English practice
Today, although more people live in peace and prosperity, the number of armed conflicts is on the increase. We haven't yet suffered a global calamity on the scale of the world wars, but new challenges face us, including the recent pandemic, and the greatest problem of our age: climate change.
Foresight today can help prevent the loss of life tomorrow. Remembrance Day reminds us to take a minute to consider the actions of past generations and imagine a better world.
This year, on National Unity and Armed Forces Day, take a minute to congratulate our Italian Military for the awesome work they do every day and Celebrate National Unity.
On Remembrance Day, pause for a moment of silence and reflect on the tragedies of our past, think about how we can help make the world a safer, more peaceful, and ethical place for everyone who calls this planet Home, on which we are nothing more than ephemeral guests.
Be thoughtful, be grateful, be wise.
𝙒𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙞𝙢𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝?🚀
𝟭) 📌 𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀!
𝟮) 💌 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝘂𝗽 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝗨𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝘆 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗴!
𝟯) 🎯 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗯𝘆 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗢𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗻
𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐉𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲!
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