Fifth Grade
Worksheets
Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day
Reading Comprehension for November 11
What is special about a day for remembering? It is a way to honor (honour) those who served their countries to preserve freedom. In the United States, a day of remembering veterans who served in the military is called Veterans Day. In Canada and some other countries, it is known as Remembrance Day.
You might wonder why it is important to remember those who sacrificed themselves. Think of it like this. Those men and women who have fought in wars for their countries made sure others are able to enjoy a great gift called freedom. When you enjoy that gift, you should remember what they did.
Poppies have been a symbol of remembrance for nearly 100 years. The idea came from a poem by Dr. John McCrae called "In Flanders Fields." The poppies bloomed across the battlefields and graves of Flanders. The flowers were red like blood.
John McCrae was a warm and compassionate young man. He wrote poetry to express his feelings, and he enjoyed being part of the Toronto militia. He might have made the military his life's work, but he developed asthma.
After finishing college, he attended medical school in Toronto. During that time, he continued his writing and published several short stories and sixteen poems.
