Never forgotten. Always Remembered.

In Canada, Remembrance Day is a time to pause, reflect, and honour the men and women who have served in our military forces.

It’s a day that stirs complex emotions and often prompts debate about the role of the military, leadership styles, and the purpose of war. But for me, Remembrance Day has always felt deeply personal. My grandfather, a World War II veteran, served with quiet dignity and faced hardships that he rarely spoke of. His example has shaped my understanding of service and sacrifice. Many of my friends, too, are current or former military personnel. Regardless of our opinions on the military as an institution, it’s essential to honour the individuals—their bravery, their sacrifices, and the often unimaginable burden they carry.

November 11 is more than just a holiday or a date on the calendar. It’s a day when, across Canada, people gather in quiet ceremony to remember those who have fallen. Some of us choose to wear the red poppy close to our hearts, symbolizing the blood shed in Flanders Fields and countless other battlegrounds around the world. In those moments of silence, we are united not by politics or national identity, but by a shared reverence for lives cut short, families changed forever, and veterans who returned bearing invisible scars.

I believe the act of remembrance is not about celebrating war; it’s about respecting the courage of those who faced it.

One of the most profound lessons my grandfather imparted was the importance of compassion and empathy. He rarely spoke of his experiences in the war, but I knew that war brings a heavy cost.

Not all those who serve do so out of a sense of duty, often putting aside their own fears and doubts to protect others. However, these individuals make sacrifices not for glory or recognition, but because they believe in something greater than themselves. It’s that belief, that willingness to serve despite the personal cost, that I feel deserves our deepest respect.

For many who have served, the experience does not end when they return home. There are the mental and emotional wounds, the memories of comrades lost, and the struggle to reintegrate into a society that may not fully understand what they’ve endured. I know friends who grapple with these challenges daily, carrying a weight that’s invisible to most.

Remembrance Day is an opportunity to acknowledge these sacrifices as well. It’s a day to stand in solidarity, recognizing the enduring impacts of service on veterans and their families.

Behind every uniform, there is a person—someone’s child, parent, or partner. Someone who has faced moments of fear and loss, but continued to serve regardless.

“Never Forgotten. Always Remembered” is a pledge. It’s a promise that we will hold space in our hearts for those who served and sacrificed. It’s an affirmation that, despite our differences in belief or perspective, we can come together to honour the courage of those who have given so much.

This Remembrance Day, I will remember my grandfather, my friends, and all those who wear the uniform with courage and integrity. Because, in the end, it’s their individual sacrifices that remind us of our shared humanity,

-The Feisty PM