The Hypocrisy of Remembrance Day

Poppies or Peace?

Every November 11th, we hear the same words: Never forget. Never again.

Yet every year, we keep preparing for the next war.

We say we honour those who died — but then we glorify the military, expand defense budgets, and sell weapons to countries committing atrocities. We mourn the victims of old wars while funding the machinery of new ones.

That’s not remembrance. That’s denial.

Remembering or romanticizing?

The people who died in war deserve our grief — not the misuse of their memory.

But Remembrance Day has become a comfortable ritual for politicians and people of all ages, who lay wreaths in the morning — and sign arms deals by afternoon.

“Support the troops” has become a slogan to silence criticism, not a call to prevent more suffering.

What we forget

We forget the civilians — the mothers, children, and elders who make up most of the dead. We forget the veterans living in poverty or addiction. We forget that militaries are among the world’s biggest polluters — fueling the climate chaos that breeds more conflict.

And we forget that every side always claims to fight for peace.

What real remembrance would look like

If we truly meant “never again,” we’d act like it. We’d:

• Cut military spending and invest in housing, health care, and climate resilience.
• Support diplomacy, peace education, and disarmament.
• Stop treating war as inevitable — or noble.

Peace isn’t passive, it takes action. It's our choice.

The courage we need now

It’s easy to wear a poppy. It’s harder to question the narratives that make war seem normal.

Real courage today means standing up for peace even when it’s unpopular — refusing the lies that equate dissent with disrespect.

Let’s remember the dead by refusing to create more of them.

What you can do

Remembrance means action. Each of us can take small, real steps toward a culture of peace:

• Join or support peace organizations such as World Beyond War, PeaceQuest, or Veterans for Peace. List of peace groups, organizations, films, videos, books and resources: GoodWork.ca/Peace
• Learn and share resources that challenge militarism — books like War Is a Lie (David Swanson) or The End of War (John Horgan), and documentaries such as The Fog of War or Why We Fight.
• Contact your elected representatives and demand cuts to military spending and stronger investment in conflict prevention, diplomacy, and renewable energy.
• Support non-military security efforts, including refugee aid, restorative justice, and community mediation programs.
• Talk openly with friends and family about peace — not as idealism, but as practical survival.
• Commemorate differently: observe November 11th by volunteering, planting trees, or donating to humanitarian relief instead of attending a military parade.

Peace is not inaction. Peace starts when each of us takes responsibility.

Peace groups, organizations, films, videos, books and resources: GoodWork.ca/Peace
 

 

 

 

 

 
Is it possible that the real "bad guy" has become the military itself — in its endless desire to profit, grow and conquer? Learn more about the Miltary industrial complex — the insatiable, profiteering companies that fuel war, at the expense of everyone's wellbeing and survival.  We're all a part of this — when politicians manipulate our fear, ignorance and denial to win our votes.

We have the strength to rise above – if you choose to join the many who already are.