This morning, the roads are empty. All the federal employees of our country have a day off.

Today is a day to remember.

Today, in Canada, is Remembrance Day. It’s a day to honor all those who gave up everything to go to war to protect our country, our freedoms and our way of life.

It’s also a time to remember all those who are still serving.

Anyone who knows somebody who’s fought in a war will tell you there is nothing glamorous about the front lines of battle. My grandfathers fought in the second world war and refused to talk about it.

Which is why I am so appreciative of those who stood up and fought. And I hope that they never have to fight like that on such a grand scale ever again.

But that can only happen if we were remember the lessons of the past and I fear we’re losing those lessons. I fear we’ve become too complacent, too sure of ourselves and too comfortable in thinking that it could never happen again.

They say tough times make tough people
and tough people make good times
and good times make weak people
and weak people make tough times…

I hope we remain tough. But most important, I hope we remember.

So whoever you are, whatever your background… please remember today.