As Canadians pause to remember the sacrifice of our war heroes today (November 11) our local MP says we should do that far more often.  

Blake Richards says while he feels it's important to have a special day where we remember, he believes we should be doing it more.  Richards recalls a time when he took his son to Europe to visit many of the World War One and World War Two battlefields.

"One of the things you're really struck by when you're visiting some of these areas is how much they appreciate that Canadians came and helped to liberate their country.  It's something that I wish, and I hope, that one day we'll have an even better appreciation in Canada like they have over there.  They knew you were a Canadian there and you were there to visit the sights.  They were coming up to thank you because your country helped to save theirs."

Richards says one place they visited left an indelible impression on him at Ypres, where many First World War battles were waged.  "It's called the Menin Gate and they do a service every single evening, every single day of the year, every single year, they do a service in remembrance of what was done for their freedoms.  When you think about it, we do it one day of the year, and I'm glad we do, One thing I would really hope, is one day, on occasions like this, we might think that we have to remember and honour that sacrifice every single day of the year.  If we all remember to do that is some kind of way, this country will be better for it."

Richards says this year, the 100th Anniversary of the signing of the Armistice to end the First World War has special meaning to him.  

"You understand and you recognize, having been to some of those places, how much we're appreciated for what we did and the contribution that Canada made to that war.  Many people have said it was the coming of age for Canada as it's own nation.  We were a pretty young country at that point and we really punched above our weight and I think that was when we announced ourselves to the world and what a presence and what a force that Canada is and can be.  It's thanks to the 61,000 people who made the ultimate sacrifice and 138,000 more that were wounded.  That has a lot of impact on a lot of families across this country.   That sacrifice is something we can never forget."

This year, Richards attended Remembrance Day ceremonies at George McDougall High School in Airdrie, in Cochrane as well as Exshaw.  He's also planning to attend the Bells of Peace commemoration this evening at sunset at the Canmore Anglican Church.  Churches across the country will mark the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One by ringing their church bells 100 times.  

Questions? Comments? Story ideas? Email us at news@discoverairdrie.com