Remembrance Day

Today is November 11 in South Korea. This is a very special day in Korea. It is a holiday known as "Pepero Day". What is pepero you're wondering? Simple. Chocolate coated pretzel sticks. That's right, while we try to remember and honour those who have sacrificed themselves for our freedom, people here bliss out on chocolate coated pretzels.

11/11 apparently looks like these chocolate pretzel sticks so a savvy marketing executive decided it would be the PERFECT day to push this sugary snack. This day has gotten bigger and bigger each year! It is bigger than Halloween and almost as big as Christmas here! Nevermind that it happens to be on a very solemn and sacred day to a large part of the "Western" population they envy so much. Nevermind that most native "English" speakers could easily tell any Korean how today is NOT about a chocolate pretzel but more about something that should be VERY near and dear to Korean's hearts. After alll, technically North and South Korea are STILL at war. They have simply had an armistice agreement for the past 50-60 or so years. They owe so much to those who have fallen to defend the lifestyle they have now. I suppose it is somewhat ironic that the freedom many of our countrymen fought for here during the Korean war allows them to have this ridiculously commercial chocolate pretzel fest.

No matter what, I try to remember what this day is about. I take my moment of silence. I remember, and I cry a little. I am living this life because of the sacrifice of others, and for that, I am eternally grateful. I hope and pray we remember this, so that Thomas does not have to grow up in a world torn by war.
Lest We Forget.

Thank you to Joanne.

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army

In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.