Kip Powick Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Perhaps it is time to sit back and reflect on what we each have in our own life…without gloating publicly, as some are wont to do, and perhaps give a silent prayer of thanks for those that are gone forever, and those that will be gone very soon. Each year the roll call of survivors has fewer and fewer names, and in my opinion, fewer and fewer of the younger set really know what it was all about. In the past few months I have not been impressed with the service provided by Sympatico, (Bell), and have let them know, but I was impressed beyond words when I watched the “reminder” Bell has slipped between a few TV shows concerning the young fellow back-packing in Europe and calling his Grandfather to say “Thanks”. Now Bell has another email from me, thanking them for that short spot on TV, a short interlude that, in my opinion, is one of the finest reminders of what has past that I have ever seen on TV. So you wear a poppy……but have you really thought about it, have you ever talked to an actual Veteran, have you sat your kids down and talked about what it all means, and do you and your family turn out for that brief ceremony each November 11th and look, through misty eyes, at the dwindling few who made what you have possible??? Think about it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mitch Cronin Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Kip, Someone at work mentioned that "reminder" from Bell on tv... I hadn't seen it, so he described it... I sat in a room full of guys and had to fight off the tears hard when he did... Powerfull stuff! ...Then, when I was confident enough that I'd done so, I looked around and noticed my glossy eyes were mirrored in all around me. After a pause, one of the guys said he thought the notion of remembering, and appreciating such sacrifices were lost on kids... "we're encouraged to tell these stories to our kids, but they don't give a damn. It's not til they get older that they understand" I think he's probably right, and I think by the time my kids are my age they will understand. My father wouldn't ever speak much about his time in Hallifax's and Lancaster's (he was a navigator)... about the only story he ever told me was after a lot of prodding (because I was aware of the whispered stories) about the one time he'd had to bail out... It was also the only time in my life I ever saw tears on his face, that came as he told me the story. He was helped out by the rear turret gunner, a friend of his, who didn't make it. Yessir, we've got it good, and we owe a lot to "the few" and a hell of a lot more than a few. Cheers, and thanks for reminding us. Mitch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wetcoaster Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Great words Kip and Mitch. I remember once asking my father at age 26 if he knew what he was going to do with his life at that age and he said "You damned right I did - I was going to get back to Canada and the rest didn't matter" - oops.... and anther I heard was one day his boss - a bit younger than him - came to him and said - on a year where Nov 11 fell in the middle of the week - "A bunch of the employees would like to work the 11th and take the Friday off - and wondered if you would agree to it too" to which he replied - "I don't know about you but I know where I'll be Nov 11th. And by the way - what day are they planning on celebrating Christmas this year?" I learned a couple of lessons from that which I havn't forgotten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest wetcoaster Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Great words Kip and Mitch. I remember once asking my father at age 26 if he knew what he was going to do with his life at that age and he said "You damned right I did - I was going to get back to Canada and the rest didn't matter" - oops.... and anther I heard was one day his boss - a bit younger than him - came to him and said - on a year where Nov 11 fell in the middle of the week - "A bunch of the employees would like to work the 11th and take the Friday off - and wondered if you would agree to it too" to which he replied - "I don't know about you but I know where I'll be Nov 11th. And by the way - what day are they planning on celebrating Christmas this year?" I learned a couple of lessons from that which I havn't forgotten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MikePapaKilo Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 In many communities across Canada, Veterans need not worry about our young people and their sense of conflict, war and remembrance as much as they might. Let me tell you briefly why I believe this. In our community our air cadet squadron provides the cenotaph guard, performing the full guard drill, rifle muzzles down, well synchronized. For over an hour they stand, heads bowed, absolutely still, while the remembrance service is held. The two service buglers are 17 year old senior NCO's. A good deal of time is spent at the Sqn in preparation for this event, and the honour guard positions are very much coveted positions that cadets hope to be named to. In our area there is a strong reg-force family presence, and we have a number of military kids in the Squadron, whose parents have served in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Somalia. A few families will soon see Dads and Moms go to Afghanistan on an upcoming rotation. Our Squadron is comprised of many cadets who are notable young people, who are well aware of current military duties overseas, and they have a well founded knowledge of Canadian military history and our participation in the three wars. Great inspiration to the younger members of the Squadron, and a great example of awareness and caring in the community. Superb role models for their peers who are not cadet-oriented. As officers in the Squadron, we are very proud of their knowledge, awareness and their remembrance. I am very sure that the same can be said for cadet formations - Air, Army and Sea - right across Canada. They will remember, as we all do. Cheers, MPK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
60N30W Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Very nice words Kip. Thanks for the reminder, when you think about the sacrafices soldiers, sailors and airmen made for freedom it brings tears to ones eyes. I will head off to City Hall on the 11th, it is the very least I can do to say THANKS. Regards, 60N30W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest happy 94 Posted November 9, 2003 Share Posted November 9, 2003 Thanks Kip, This poem was read over the radio today and I think it fits well with your remarks. http://www.vaincourt.homestead.com/Common_Soldier.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky High Posted November 10, 2003 Share Posted November 10, 2003 There was a time many years ago when I had no idea what the big thing about Remembrance Day was. Until I joined the Army... I spent about 12 years in the army before remustering to the air force. During my service in the armed forces I had the opportunity to experience firsthand the reasons why we should. My first experience was a 6 month tour of duty in Cyprus in the 70s. At this time the island was not in a good way with both the greek and turk sides still occasionally shooting at each other across the green line. When we patrolled the line we never knew what to expect and more than once had a bullet ring off the side of our apc. We knew they were not aiming to kill or injure but there is something about hearing a bullet ring off metal about 3 ft from your head that gives you a whole new appreciation of life. My next experience was when I spent 4 years in West Germany. I can remember taking a tour of the border between W Germany and Czecheslovakia and E Germany. Seeing the barbed wire fence, minefields between the lines of fence, guard towers every kilometer, armed guards with dogs escorting an old farmer as he tilled his field. It wasn't until I saw with my own eyes that many of the freedoms I take for granted every day were still lacking in many areas of the world. Another eye opening. A third time and I was over in Bosnia. Here I learned that as precious as life is there are always those to whom it matters little. Going thru a checkpoint with an armed guard pointing a loaded rifle at you while his compatriot argues just for the heck of it because you are UN. Knowing that if he so desired he would have no qualms about letting loose on us. Seeing friends injured or killed when a mine blew up under their vehicle is a rather sobering experience. My fourth experience was when I stood guard at a cenotaph on Remembrance Day. As I stood there on the corner of the monument with my head down, hands resting on the butt of my rifle which was poised on the toe of my boot, I could look out at the ceremony unfolding in front of me. I couldn't see much further back than the first few rows. These were all occupied by grizzled old vets in wheelchairs or with canes. Each and every one of these men and women were dresed up in old uniforms. I can remember thinking that it was thru the courage and strength of those old men and women that we have what we have today. They were there to remember their fellows that didn't make it back but instead gave their lives to obtain freedom for their families and friends and future generations. Each time rememberance day comes around I think back to my experiences and try to imagine what it must have been like to go thru that for months on end. For myself, having been thru war zones and seen the effects, life becomes much more than something to be taken for granted each day. While I may not have known the many people who died in the wars, I thank them every time for giving me the opportunity to live my life in relative peace and freedom. It is very easy for each new generation to dismiss the efforts of those men and women who fought in those wars. They can have no idea what war is really like. It is the responsibility of our generation to remember and in doing so tell our children that they may pass it on to their children so that the meaning of this day will never be forgotten and the message will remain thru future generations. I for one will never forget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky High Posted November 10, 2003 Share Posted November 10, 2003 There was a time many years ago when I had no idea what the big thing about Remembrance Day was. Until I joined the Army... I spent about 12 years in the army before remustering to the air force. During my service in the armed forces I had the opportunity to experience firsthand the reasons why we should. My first experience was a 6 month tour of duty in Cyprus in the 70s. At this time the island was not in a good way with both the greek and turk sides still occasionally shooting at each other across the green line. When we patrolled the line we never knew what to expect and more than once had a bullet ring off the side of our apc. We knew they were not aiming to kill or injure but there is something about hearing a bullet ring off metal about 3 ft from your head that gives you a whole new appreciation of life. My next experience was when I spent 4 years in West Germany. I can remember taking a tour of the border between W Germany and Czecheslovakia and E Germany. Seeing the barbed wire fence, minefields between the lines of fence, guard towers every kilometer, armed guards with dogs escorting an old farmer as he tilled his field. It wasn't until I saw with my own eyes that many of the freedoms I take for granted every day were still lacking in many areas of the world. Another eye opening. A third time and I was over in Bosnia. Here I learned that as precious as life is there are always those to whom it matters little. Going thru a checkpoint with an armed guard pointing a loaded rifle at you while his compatriot argues just for the heck of it because you are UN. Knowing that if he so desired he would have no qualms about letting loose on us. Seeing friends injured or killed when a mine blew up under their vehicle is a rather sobering experience. My fourth experience was when I stood guard at a cenotaph on Remembrance Day. As I stood there on the corner of the monument with my head down, hands resting on the butt of my rifle which was poised on the toe of my boot, I could look out at the ceremony unfolding in front of me. I couldn't see much further back than the first few rows. These were all occupied by grizzled old vets in wheelchairs or with canes. Each and every one of these men and women were dresed up in old uniforms. I can remember thinking that it was thru the courage and strength of those old men and women that we have what we have today. They were there to remember their fellows that didn't make it back but instead gave their lives to obtain freedom for their families and friends and future generations. Each time rememberance day comes around I think back to my experiences and try to imagine what it must have been like to go thru that for months on end. For myself, having been thru war zones and seen the effects, life becomes much more than something to be taken for granted each day. While I may not have known the many people who died in the wars, I thank them every time for giving me the opportunity to live my life in relative peace and freedom. It is very easy for each new generation to dismiss the efforts of those men and women who fought in those wars. They can have no idea what war is really like. It is the responsibility of our generation to remember and in doing so tell our children that they may pass it on to their children so that the meaning of this day will never be forgotten and the message will remain thru future generations. I for one will never forget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky High Posted November 10, 2003 Share Posted November 10, 2003 There was a time many years ago when I had no idea what the big thing about Remembrance Day was. Until I joined the Army... I spent about 12 years in the army before remustering to the air force. During my service in the armed forces I had the opportunity to experience firsthand the reasons why we should. My first experience was a 6 month tour of duty in Cyprus in the 70s. At this time the island was not in a good way with both the greek and turk sides still occasionally shooting at each other across the green line. When we patrolled the line we never knew what to expect and more than once had a bullet ring off the side of our apc. We knew they were not aiming to kill or injure but there is something about hearing a bullet ring off metal about 3 ft from your head that gives you a whole new appreciation of life. My next experience was when I spent 4 years in West Germany. I can remember taking a tour of the border between W Germany and Czecheslovakia and E Germany. Seeing the barbed wire fence, minefields between the lines of fence, guard towers every kilometer, armed guards with dogs escorting an old farmer as he tilled his field. It wasn't until I saw with my own eyes that many of the freedoms I take for granted every day were still lacking in many areas of the world. Another eye opening. A third time and I was over in Bosnia. Here I learned that as precious as life is there are always those to whom it matters little. Going thru a checkpoint with an armed guard pointing a loaded rifle at you while his compatriot argues just for the heck of it because you are UN. Knowing that if he so desired he would have no qualms about letting loose on us. Seeing friends injured or killed when a mine blew up under their vehicle is a rather sobering experience. My fourth experience was when I stood guard at a cenotaph on Remembrance Day. As I stood there on the corner of the monument with my head down, hands resting on the butt of my rifle which was poised on the toe of my boot, I could look out at the ceremony unfolding in front of me. I couldn't see much further back than the first few rows. These were all occupied by grizzled old vets in wheelchairs or with canes. Each and every one of these men and women were dresed up in old uniforms. I can remember thinking that it was thru the courage and strength of those old men and women that we have what we have today. They were there to remember their fellows that didn't make it back but instead gave their lives to obtain freedom for their families and friends and future generations. Each time rememberance day comes around I think back to my experiences and try to imagine what it must have been like to go thru that for months on end. For myself, having been thru war zones and seen the effects, life becomes much more than something to be taken for granted each day. While I may not have known the many people who died in the wars, I thank them every time for giving me the opportunity to live my life in relative peace and freedom. It is very easy for each new generation to dismiss the efforts of those men and women who fought in those wars. They can have no idea what war is really like. It is the responsibility of our generation to remember and in doing so tell our children that they may pass it on to their children so that the meaning of this day will never be forgotten and the message will remain thru future generations. I for one will never forget. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest M. McRae Posted November 10, 2003 Share Posted November 10, 2003 http://www.rootsweb.com/~ww1can/index.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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