Remembrance Day 2010

[canadian_jay]

This was the first Remembrance Day that I didn't see my grandfather. Not because he's dead - he is still alive, 89 years old (or, as he's taken to saying '90 next year!') - but because this is my first Remembrance Day away from home. I'm not homesick, nor do I miss home very much, but I miss seeing him

Comments

[tay_21]

I can't see the videos as I'm at school and youtube is blocked, but I just wanted to say thank you for posting this.

I have a friend currently 'fighting' over in Kuwait. She police officer for her normal job and one of my best friends. A real life hero, ya know? This is her second tour, and she loves what she does. My dad is a Vietnam vet and my grandfather is a WWII vet.

We can never say thank you enough to the men and women who helped to guarantee and continue to fight preserve our freedom. :-D

[canadian_jay]

Yeah, youtube videos. :/ You should watch them when you get the chance - the Trews' song is a few years old but I just discovered it this year.

Yeah, hero for sure. I think you mentioned her to me once before. My great-grandfather (and his brothers) were all in WW1 - and my grandfather kept his (great-grandad's) medals, and the other year he gave them to me. *sniffs a little* I think I've posted something on Remembrance Day every year since I've had a blog - it means a lot to me.

Definitely. And as some astute person on a YouTube comment (of all places!) said: "We may not support the war or the conflict, but we have a duty to support the troops. They are our neighbours and family. The troops didn't write international policy."

[tay_21]

Yeah, I'll definitely look when I get home. (Provided I remember... hehe :-/)

I probably have. She totally rocks. I need to email her today actually. Hmm. Must do that.
Aww that's so awesome about you having your great granddad's metals. That would make me a little sniffly too. :-)

Totally, my friend is not even a big fan of the Iraq war, but she serves because she felt she had a duty too. She didn't set the policy, but she's not going to shirk her duty either. I'm quite proud of her. Our troops are our friends and neighbors and we should think about them instead of policy issues. What is best for them, you know? The US military, and I'm guessing Canada is very similar is made up of an all volunteer force. These are men and women who chose this life. We should give them the respect they deserve.

Again, thanks for posting.

[canadian_jay]

Maybe you're home now..? If not, maybe soonish. xP

Yeah, Canada hasn't had conscription of any kind since the two world wars.

[fredbassett]

My dad fought in the Italian Campaign as well. He was at Monte Cassino and other battles there. He served with S Company of the Scots Guards. He may even have been in the same place as your grandad at some point.

There was certainly no 'dodging' going on in that campaign, apart from dodging bullets.

Remembering is good.

[canadian_jay]

It's entirely possible!

Yeah, definitely. :/ I did a project for school a few years ago about the Italian campaign and discovered that song in one of my grandfather's books.

Indeed.

[tay_21]

MY GOD! I'm quite literally sniffling and sobbing wiping away tears while watching this video. I'm in the student lounge at my bible college and people are looking at me funny. *Sniffs a little more*

That was so beautiful. That's the kind of stuff you see in small towns around here, but not in the big cities. I'm gonna post this on facebook. So touching. Oh, I wish we saw stuff like this more often. Just beautiful.

[canadian_jay]

I was crying over the second video, and I've known about it before, too.

Yeah, well, at heart Canada's just one big small town. I mean, we are only 34 million. xP

[tay_21]

True. Very true. That was very moving. I'm a little confused though. Why do they have to make that long drive?

[canadian_jay]

AFAIK, it's because the airfield they fly them in to is a drive away from the cemetary or where-ever they take them. It's in Ontario, so I'm not really sure on the details. A google of 'Highway of Heroes' should give details.

[kristen_mara]

That's a lovely remembrance post, thank you

[canadian_jay]

:)