It's amazing what you can learn from Netflix these days. I've been particularly addicted to one show, WWII in HD. They have taken old black and white footage and added colour. The technology is impressive, and it brings a whole new perspective, and horror, to the documentary.
Like most kids, I studied the war in high school. But who really understands what's going on when you're a teenager? Watch a few films, listen to teachers talk about it and write a test. All knowledge is then replaced by something else. Watching it again, though, really shows how terrifying a time it really was.
Imagine multiple terrorist attacks every night. Bombs were dropped on cities and towns around Europe constantly. Everyone was a target. If you weren't caught in an explosion, you risked being shot or starved to death. In today's day and age where TV shows and video games portray this kind of devastation as entertainment, it's hard to come to grips with just how terrifying the war was.
Now, say goodbye to your father, your son, your grandson, who went off to fight. They didn't have a choice. They stayed until the war ended, if they came home at all.
Today, we see the veterans at Remembrance Day ceremonies and can't understand why they have tears in their eyes. I can't, for the life of me, come anywhere near comprehending what they went through. But they did, and for one reason.
They fought for democracy and freedom. They fought, and died, so you could vote. And next Monday, the result of their sacrifice is your opportunity to thank them. By casting a vote.
It won't take you long. If you are prepared, it's quite simple. Take your voter's card and some ID (the best thing is a driver's license) and you'll be out of there in no time. If you don't take your license, two pieces of ID with your name on it, one with an address, and you are ready to go. It's that easy.
Voting in Canada is simple. The ballot will have four names on it. Put an X in the circle beside one of them and hand it back to the elections officer. That's it. Your vote is secure and anonymous. No matter what you hear in the media, no party will ever know who you voted for, only that you voted.
But the biggest thing to remember this time out is that the polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. That's right, they close at 7 p.m. In other elections the polls closed later. Not this time. Make sure, if you can't get home from work by 7 you vote before you leave.
You can only vote at the polling station you are assigned to, so you can't drop into just any one and cast a ballot.
Not long after this election is over, we'll be wearing poppies on our jackets and lapels in tribute to the men and women who gave everything for your freedom. Remembrance Day will come and go, our veterans will be another year older, and the memories of Second World War will fade deeper into the background.
On Monday, pay tribute to them by doing what they died for.
On Monday, vote. Brad Sherwin, MBA has over 25 years' experience in marketing, public relations and business strategy. He is currently the director of marketing for a national non-profit organization.
