Here’s an image of the Armistice Day Parade that flowed down Queen Street on Nov. 11, 1918. The news brought residents and soldiers training at Niagara Camp, mostly Polish soldiers, together to praise the end of the war. It was a feeling of relief and elation that this tumultuous time was over. For the Polish soldiers, it was a time of celebration that Poland was finally liberated after 123 years of occupation. In the photo, women hold a banner that says, “Our Departed Heroes” and the military band can be seen playing music on the right. Although there were celebrations across the country, many soldiers on the front lines were almost stunned with the anti-climatic silence that ensued. Fighting for months or even years had abruptly come to an end, which would have been overwhelming. Thoughts quickly turned to coming home, finally seeing family or wondering what to do next with the rest of their lives. After the celebrations quieted down, the home front would soon have to find ways to adapt to the new reality of men returning home with both physical and mental disabilities. From the ultimate sacrifice to lost limbs to survivor’s guilt to shell shock, generations to come would feel the severe aftereffects of the Great War. On Remembrance Day, let’s be thankful to those who did not return but also for those who did and the sacrifices they made to their bodies, minds and futures.