It comes a certain time of the year when we see this debate happen time and time again, we could even call it a yearly tradition.
How DARE someone decorate for Christmas before Remembrance day. If you could see how MAD my face is (kidding) than I would love to show it.
In fact, Remembrance day has been a hot topic in recent years. Firstly with the limiting of poppies being worn in Nova Scotia court rooms. They used this situation to point their view.
Another was when Premier Tim Houston had spoke out about a school in Lower Sackville regarding their initial dismissal to not partake in a Remembrance day ceremony. Citing concerns for students who had immigrated here from other countries who may experience trauma from seeing people in uniforms. They back tracked this idea. Mind you to someone who may not know, combative uniforms that are worn in the field, on missions, etc, as opposed to their dress uniform which resemble a suit of sorts. They are a very different type of style, comparing the two would not make sense since they don’t physically look the same. Not to mention that children are excited to see their family members whom fight for the country, wearing their uniforms, proudly in front of the school and their friends. Thus sharing the tradition.
The argument for many is that it’s simply too early to be celebrating the Holidays. Another bunch state that they should have their own day without being over shadowed by Christmas, which evidently is a month and more after Remembrance day on November 11th. The commercialism of Christmas has begun earlier and earlier each year. People spending more and more, Decorating earlier and earlier. And as someone who love Christmas, I do acknowledge that decorating immediately after Halloween for Christmas IS early.
If you were unaware, I do come from a military family. My grandfather served in the military his entire career. He actually kept his outdoor lights on his home the entire year, though never lit before Remembrance day. And while I am a little Christmas crazy, he would roll his eyes and laugh when I would talk about how my decorating was going for the holidays being so early in the season. He never criticized it. My husband is also military. And while he does get annoyed in the fact that yes, decorating early can be annoying, he doesn’t ever criticize it because he knows how much joy it brings out family and myself.
The truth is, when asked, whether a serving military member or retired, how they felt about decorating early for the holidays, They could give two flying F’s about it. They don’t want to gate keep happiness for someone. They fought or are currently fighting for the freedom we have in this country and if that means decorating for a holiday early so be it. They also understand that people can have a fully decked out home, and still wear a poppy, purchase one from a local legion representative. Two things can be true. I can have my tree up enjoying the glow, and still attend a ceremony at a local cenotaph and taking part in the remembrance of our fallen soldiers and currently deployed or active members. The two things can be true at once. I dare say though, people who are vocal about this, likely may not be as active in partaking in these ceremonies, and maybe need to find a little happiness in their own lives if they feel the need to take things away that make others happy.
At the end of the day, we do live in a country where we are able to debate, and argue respectfully with one another. We also can participate in various Remembrance Day reflective events, and still pausing while appreciating Christmas too. Instead of trying to bash someone who enjoys both the holidays early, and remembering out armed forces, maybe take the same energy and spend it with some veterans. Chat with them and hear their stories. Put that energy in to volunteering at a poppy table. Or even setting up a cenotaph.
