This actually made me cry. Thank you for writin this.

Remembrance Day is really big for me too. My family's got a lot of connections with the Great War, and my birthday just happens to fall on the day the assault on Vimy Ridge began, where one of my great-uncles and a couple cousins were killed.

At any rate, I really think you did the day justice with this story. And Mattie's reaction is something I can totally relate with.

(I think my favourite part was when Arthur and Mattie stood up, and then the whole restaurant followed suit. That was nothing short of perfect.)

Canada, I love you. I love my country with every fibre of my being.

And I can relate to Matthew on the "holding your composure" part... it's saddening, and...enraging that some can't stop talking for two blasted minutes. JUST TWO, for our nation, and the soliders who died, so we may live.

Not only this, but even every morning, when the O Canada would play, of course the majority of my first period class and I would stand in respect, but there's always just a few that...I wish I could be as brave as Matthew was, to say something to them about it. Though it infuriates me, I don't say anything... I'm sorry, Canada.

Enough of my rambling. XD Great story. I adore your writting.

~Itallis.

Q_Q

I love it.

Good job on this - I think that's really all I could say this time. And, as usual, you don't give yourself enough credit for your sensitivity. I don't think ANYONE would feel dishonoured or offended for what you wrote here.

The moment of silence that you showed with Matthew and Arthur really leapt out at me here. I'll be frank that growing up, my school would observe the moment of silence at 11:00 instead of 11:11 - I could only imagine it's because if we emphasized the number 11 THAT much, the kids would have such a field day of it that it'd just be ridiculous (i.e. "If we had to do the 11th day at the 11th hour, why not the 11th minute and the 11th second of that minute?" and so on). I could understand Matthew's reaction completely, especially considering that HE would be one of those veterans, although he'd never look it. But at the same time, there are many people here in Canada for whom Remembrance Day isn't THEIR day - sometimes it's hard to respect something when it didn't affect you in the past. Or there are those people who'd rather loudly clamour for peace instead - it happens.

But enough of my rambling. I just want to say that I think you did an amazing job on this story, as always :)

the unfortunate thing about the more modern generation is we tend to leave the past in the past. the problem is then we are doome to repeat it. when i was younger, i didnt understand remembrance day, but thing started to change when i went to belguim and visited passchendale. i was only 13 the time, but seeing all of those gravestones, stratched out across the field kinda put things into perspective.

i love the fact that you actually write about historical events. i come from a very history orentated family, in fact my older brother is in the middle of a history major. i tend to look at hetalia charaters in a different way then they are actually portrayed. (especially China; my brother is taking a course about China in the early 20th century to today, and some of the things he told me about, makes me look at China in such a different light. and Japan, he told me about things that the Japanesse soldiers did to Americans)

keep it up.

I am absolutely loving this fic. You've captured the spirit of Remembrance Day quite well. I loved the atmosphere of the first part of your fic- it felt so real, and you should be proud of that achievement.

And the second part- oh, how many times have I done that? I absolutely hate it when civilians or recruits don't pay the proper respect to the national anthem, and especially events on Remembrance Day. It's absolutely painful to watch.

But anyway, I'd just like to give you a friendly reminder that Remembrance Day isn't just about the veterans of WW1 and WW2. It's a sad fact that Remembrance Day has become so distant to people today. But what many fail to realize is that soldiers are /still/ fighting and dying to serve their country. And indeed, Matthew and Arthur would be old enough to fight in the war in the Middle East. As a Canadian soldier myself, I have seen British, French, Dutch, American, and loads of other soldiers stationed in Afghanistan as part of NATO. Some are as young as 21. One was 18.

When Canadian soldiers are killed in action, the Forces take extensive measures to ensure that they receive the honors and rites they deserve, and are remembered for their service. I would've liked to see a segment of the modern Forces in a fic like this- I think it would have been the cherry on top. But anyway, that's just me.

Thank you for writing this.

Cheers,

Pte. S