A few days ago I received an invitation to add my name to a survey intended to make Remembrance Day, November 11, a national holiday in Canada. I often get survey notices, and eagerly want to add my name, and support the cause. But this time, I didn't feel this was a cause to support.
I believe we should give Remembrance Day, Veteran's Day, Armistice Day, however it's referred to, all the recognition and honour we can. However, I think by making this solemn day a national holiday would actually diminish many of the efforts.
When I was teaching, I found the annual classroom curriculum based assignments, the school wide activities and the solemn assembly so distinctly different from our celebrations at Christmas time or Graduation time. When I was in the workplace outside of school, in office settings, in public places, the 11 o'clock hour in particular is noted so well.
In our culture, a "holiday" is just that... a day off, and would likely involve a lazy morning, shopping, special treats and foods, relaxation and entertainment. None of these would represent why the day is designated a holiday. As a child in the Catholic School system, Good Friday used to be a solemn "holiday", but now it has become a day barely recognized for the reason it was deemed a holiday in the first place.
So I say, keep Remembrance Day something we recognition in our school day, our workday, and employers, try to be lenient about giving employees time to attend services or ceremonies, or school assemblies when they can.
I believe we should give Remembrance Day, Veteran's Day, Armistice Day, however it's referred to, all the recognition and honour we can. However, I think by making this solemn day a national holiday would actually diminish many of the efforts.
When I was teaching, I found the annual classroom curriculum based assignments, the school wide activities and the solemn assembly so distinctly different from our celebrations at Christmas time or Graduation time. When I was in the workplace outside of school, in office settings, in public places, the 11 o'clock hour in particular is noted so well.
In our culture, a "holiday" is just that... a day off, and would likely involve a lazy morning, shopping, special treats and foods, relaxation and entertainment. None of these would represent why the day is designated a holiday. As a child in the Catholic School system, Good Friday used to be a solemn "holiday", but now it has become a day barely recognized for the reason it was deemed a holiday in the first place.
So I say, keep Remembrance Day something we recognition in our school day, our workday, and employers, try to be lenient about giving employees time to attend services or ceremonies, or school assemblies when they can.
RSS Feed
