Today is Remembrance Day in the True North and I'm just getting ready to attend the local services at the cenotaph at the city hall...

This, after accompnying the Good Padre on her rounds as she has been busy this week conducting other services at various places and regimental affairs..But today, its our turn to sit back and contemplate as the missus, your humble servant, and a daughter and son take part in the ceremonies in smaller ways so that those who deserve the honour are front and centre, even if only in memory.

Canada remembers:
The Boer War: 7000 served, 224 died, 262 wounded
WWI: 626,000 served, 61,663 died, 174,623 wounded [uncounted MIA [ only 3 vets left ]
WWII: 1.1 million served, 42,042 died, 54,414 wounded [ uncounted MIA ]
Korea: 26,000 served, 516 died, 1567 wounded
Peacekeeping since 1950: 125,000 served 116 killed
Afghanistan: 8000 serving 42 killed [ wounded 200+ ]

No. 1 son has returned to the Sudan where things are ' in a state of flux ' - he, too, is on my Remembrance List for today..

As befitting a solemn occasion, it is cold and raining outside as I put the final polish on my brogues, but, I will be more than happy to stand in the wind and wet to keep the memory of their sacrifice alive.

One day out of the year and for 2 minutes of silence at 1100 hours is the least one can do.

As the years pass and those who served in the great conflicts fade from the earth there will be those who will forget and dismiss this occasion, but I'll be damned if it is going to be me and my family...

when I get to the legion for the 'debriefing' after the parade, I'll make sure all you boys and girls who have served, are serving and -hell, even the babywipes who have come on this site and said they want to serve - are remembered as I down my toast...

thanks/Rocketeer

P.S. you may want to check out:
http://www.terry-kelly.com/pittance.htm
and click on the video slug at the top of the page..the music vid about veterans and honouring their memories is worth the few minutes of web time and space..

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Rocketeer,

What an incredible day!...

Despite the cold and wind and rain, the town square was jam packed.. and not only with old faces, but families and kids and people from all over... The parade was big, big big!!.. soldiers, aircrews, sailors, cadets, fire, police, busloads of vets, a group of Sikh veterans [ impressive even in old age and sporting quite an array of medals for their pains in years' past ] and even throngs of scouts/guides and little ones all carrying homemade, construction paper wreaths..

I haven't seen such as turnout in many a year.. Good thing it was raining or the folks would have seen the tears in my eyes

the politicians weren't blathering about, but kept low profile and respectful..those that deserved to be front and centre, were..

whack me with a brick but it all came together as if it was a scripted movie.. How that happened I don't know..but only a real bottom feeding peacenik could have complained and even then be hard pressed to as the pleas for peace and understanding were all included in the service..

Damn... one could almost suspect there was a change happening in the world to actuially acknowledge and respect those who gave their lives and health for others in times of conflict.

hope this is the start of a trend and not just a blip with everyone ignoring the whole deal next year leaving just a handful of us to march about in blazers and berets.

I'm going to go and lie down for a bit.. the ' debriefing ' at the Legion afterward was a bit exhuberant [ took in a wee bitty too much scotch to chase away the cold of the day ].

To all my American cousins..respect and honours for Veteran's Day from this ol' Canuck survivor of another Remembrance Day north of the 49.

Salute to you and all our dear friends and staunch allies 'north of the 49th'.

quote:

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

Hear Hear