11 Nov Lest we forget, let us remember … and learn.

I stood silently in the gathering dusk, staring at a myriad points of lights stretching as far as I could see. They filled the giant moat of the Tower of London. Each light had been lit by hand at sunset, commemorating the life of a soldier lost to battle in World War I. So many lives. You do not absorb the enormity of the number till you turn a corner and see … yet more torches. It was a poignant day. November 11, 2018. 100 years since the signing of the Armistice of World War I. And I was fortunate to be in London to add my silence to that of so many across the globe.

From Cenotaphs to Churches – celebrating the Armistice centenary

In every little corner of England, we stood in silence:

• The market square: where a lone trumpeter bracketed the two minutes of silence with Taps and Reveille
• Local cenotaphs and war memorials: where young hands participated in acknowledging the sacrifice of so many
• Local churches: where scout and brownie troops laid down wreaths “Do this in memory of me”
• Church bells pealed as they had on that wonderful day. Celebrating the end of the worst war that the world had ever seen. And then commemorating the many dead and wounded on both sides. In Canada, church bells rang from coast to coast.

Beyond the deepening shadow – Tower of London

I stood patiently in line for hours, surrounded by veterans of many wars, by grand-daughters proudly wearing the medals passed down from generation to generation; by so many young children brought by their parents. It was a fitting tribute from a nation, a recognition and thanks to all these young men who had died in their prime – so that we might enjoy our peace and prosperity.

Let us remember

This was a group of young adults, mainly aged 19-35.

• They fought in trenches together. They developed a strong team spirit.
• They approached each dawn, not knowing what that day would bring. They showed courage.
• They struggled through dirt and rain and muck. They showed tenacity.
• They did not always have clear directions. They demonstrated critical thinking.
• They had to step in when needed and take on tasks they had not trained for. Showing us constant learning.
• They stood with their compatriots, feeling homesick, helping the wounded, evading trouble together. This was empathy.
• When one leader was shot down, another rose to take his place. This was leadership in action.

These are just a few of the many EQ (emotional quotient) skills that this young group of men and women demonstrated in highly volatile and stressful times. Skills fundamental to their survival. And skills that they were able to leverage when they returned home.

We learn from their sacrifice

I refuse to believe that we and our young adults have lost this spirit of survival, confidence and camaraderie within the span of 100 years. We have worked so hard to make this world a safer place, in the hope that we will not lose another generation to a war such as that one. As a society, we need to continue to trust in the instincts, independence, and innovation of a generation that is just entering the workforce.

We need to empower them with core foundation skills so that they can handle what comes their way – whether it is working with new technologies, learning to negotiate, or figuring out how to deal with climate change. The confidence that comes from self-reliance will help this generation to implement the social changes that will be necessary within an evolving Future of Work.

My takeaways for GenZ and Generation Z influencers

GenZ: Learn from those that fought wars and conflict – from on each side. Read history. Ask questions. Plan. Practice EQ skills.

Friends & Family: Talk about your family journeys. It could be discussions of those that sacrificed much. Or stories of refugees after the war. About survival, travel to new lands. And reestablishing roots and finding that new normal. There has been much conflict in the world since 1918. There are survivors of conflict on every street and around every corner.

I was proud to see so many parents pushing strollers and carrying their children on their shoulders, queueing patiently, waiting their turn to view this beautiful exhibit, explaining the enormity of the sacrifice, talking about their family members who no longer walk with us, but who are still poignantly remembered.

As long as we talk about them from one generation to another, we learn from their lives and their sacrifice, we share forward their lessons experience, they will not be forgotten.

CREDIT & THANKS; DEFINITIONS & RESOURCES:

• Beyond the Deepening Shadow wiki
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/zcvdhyc
• GenZ, Generation Z – if you were born in 1995 or after. You have already started working, are in post-secondary education or making your course and college selections
• Photo & video credits: Karena de Souza
• A version of this article was also published on LinkedIn on November 11, 2018