Remembrance Day

[crazycanuck]

Remembrance day isn't as big down here as ANZAC day but it's still observed in some ways.

I'd just like to ask, if you have a moment today can you ponder the fallen & those who've served in all wars? Perhaps you're an army brat & remember going to services in the rain or snow etc.

Have a listen to Bryan Adams' song "Remembrance Day"

http://www.jimvallance.com/01-music-...membrance.html

[Tri Girl]

I will certainly remember them. Tomorrow (Tuesday) we celebrate Veteran's Day. We'll be in school, so I'll make sure to do something with my students, too.

[kelownagirl]

This one is good too. Canadian Terry Kelly. I cry everytime I watch it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eyrCm5e32qc

[pardes]

Unfortunately veterans and the idea of military personnel have taken on political overtones and the men and women who have served, are serving, will serve, and those who paid the ultimate price have gotten lost in the shuffle.

I for one have never stopped thinking about them since the Viet Nam days of my college years. Whenever I see anyone in uniform, I go up to them and thank them for serving.

Recently I had lunch at my favorite cafe where frequently I would see a truck decked out in Viet Nam memorabilia and I'd always try to find the vet in the restaurant and never could. It was a bitter man who decked out his truck with the sentiments of being forgotten as a vet.

When I went out to my car, I stopped and wrote a note that said "Thank you for serving our country" and put it under the windshield wiper. I waited in my car for quite a while until a man came out of the restaurant and saw the note tucked under his wiper. He looked angry and marched over to the truck to tear it off. Apparently other people had left rude notes because of his truck decorations.

He whipped the note from the wiper, looked at with a twisted face. And then, I saw a deep intake of breath from his chest as he touched his heart with his hand and uttered what was clearly a half-swallowed sob.

I will never forget that sight as long as I live. Finally someone had welcomed him home from Viet Nam. I cried all the way back to the lab and I suspect he cried too.

Let's be kind to each other and "welcome each other home" whether they are in the military or not.

[Possegal]

My brother is a Viet Nam vet, I do understand.

My father and uncles were WW2 vets. My dad died many years ago. So for quite a few years I would go to Canada and spend Remembrance Day with his best friend, the man who introduced him to my mother. We would go to the air force club in Dundas. We would go to the parade, and we would talk about my Dad. Danny died a couple years ago and I miss those trips to Canada. I have off on that day, govt worker. I always take time to think of all those who gave so much for our country (and others, as my dad was a Canadian air force vet).

The last year we were at the parade and the guy talking made some comment about how much we owe and how maybe that guy in front of you who is walking so slow, maybe you owe him. The guy down the street in the wheelchair, maybe you owe him. You should be sure to thank the men and women that serve and make you safe. He is still saying this when this guy standing beside us, big hippy looking guy, just grabs my little 85 yr old uncle and hugs him tight. Scared the crap out of him I think, but sure did make me cry.

So yes, thanks to all on here who have and do serve and to any and all of your family that have and do serve, thank you and prayers for them all!

[SadieKate]

Is McCrae's poem still part of the curriculum for our youth? It should be.

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie,
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.