Today, at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we pause. We stand in silence to remember the generations of Canadians who have served our country, who fought for the freedoms we cherish, and who made the ultimate sacrifice. We honour the fallen, we remember the wounded, and we hold in our hearts the families who have supported them.
Remembrance Day is a powerful and necessary moment of collective reflection. But for all of us at Compassion Network, it is also a call to action.
We believe that the highest appreciation for their service is not just to remember them once a year, but to live by the values they fought for—community, support, and care for one another. For us, remembrance is an active, ongoing commitment. It is a promise that as our veterans age, they will be treated with the dignity, respect, and independence they so profoundly deserve.
This is why we are so proud to be an approved provider for Veterans Affairs Canada's Veterans Independence Program (VIP).
The Veterans Independence Program is a cornerstone of this national promise. It is a program designed to help veterans remain independent and safe in their own homes for as long as possible. It provides tangible support for the daily tasks that can become challenging, such as:
- Home cleaning and housekeeping
- Grounds maintenance, like lawn care and snow removal
- Personal care assistance
This program is a lifeline. It is a practical way our country says "thank you" by ensuring that those who served us can live out their years in the comfort and familiarity of their own homes, surrounded by their own memories.
At Compassion Network, we see our work with VIP as more than just a service. We see it as our privilege and our responsibility. It is our small way of honouring a veteran's desire for independence and acknowledging the debt of gratitude we owe them.
On this Remembrance Day, as we wear our poppies and stand in silence, let us all reflect on what it means to remember. Let us remember the sacrifices made, and let us also commit to the actions—big and small—that honour those sacrifices every single day of the year.
Lest we forget.
