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With each passing year, there are fewer veterans of the Second World War and the Korean War still alive in Canada, and none in our parish. If a veteran was 18 in 1945, they would be 98 today. The fading of war memories disturbs parishioner John Short and so he began making ceramic poppies for his family after Remembrance Day last year. In recent months, as democratic institutions face increasing strain in countries around the world, John has become more attuned to the fragility of peace and the rise of authoritarianism. “We too easily take our democracy and sovereignty for granted,” he said, “and forget the sacrifices that gave us our freedom.”
John decided that we need Remembrance Every Day, not just on November 11th. “We need to remember every day what they fought for.” He took some of his poppies to Waterloo’s Canadian Clay & Glass Gallery, asking them to offer them to visitors with a donation to the Royal Canadian Legion. The then-director, Denis Longchamps, was intrigued and together they asked artists and potters across Canada to interpret what Remembrance means to them. Twenty-two of them submitted poppy-related artworks, which are now displayed at CCGG. Fifteen of them also started local gardens including poppies; others set up workshops where Canadians could make poppies. One of these is the Waterloo Potters Workshop who made hundred of ceramic poppies that are displayed at City Hall and are there for the taking, with a Legion donation.
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