Remember
 

On this Remembrance Day, please take a moment to honour the memory of those Canadians who have made the ultimate sacrifice, not just in the First World War, the Second World War and Korea, but all of the Peacekeeping Missions and Post-Cold War Military missions, including Bosnia and Afghanistan.

mpc1

Agreed.

My wife and I make it a point on Remembrance Day to phone and thank both of our Grandfathers who fought in WWII. It really does make a difference to them. Both do not like to speak of the war but they appreciate the acknowledgment of their being there. Mrs Cattle's Grandfather was at Normandy and pretty much all of his friends were killed on landing at the beach and that is something I truly don't think I can fathom. Out of respect we thank him but never bring it up the past.

Mrs Cattle is a piano teacher at home and has 50 students (mostly kids) and it is very heartwarming to hear them acknowledge what their grandparents did in the wars and how important it is to remember them. For all the screw ups that we might blame teens for, I can honestly say they have respect for the sacrifices made in the past.

Given that many war veterans don't (understandably) speak of their experiences I think it is wonderful that some many youngsters still understand what today means and I for one am very grateful for that.

mpc1: Thank you for posting this.

As an ex-military officer and veteran of a UN mission, I pause to remember the two comarades who did not come home with the rest of us. Although they were victims of traffic accidents, they died in the service of peace.

Being in the States I am awfully glad we have cbc broadcasting at least part of the national service of remembrance on the internet - allows me to feel a little bit of connection back to home and to participate in the act of remembrance.

I had an opportunity to attend the ceremony in person in 1996 and it just reinforced to me the importance that they continue, and that people of my generation (grad work at university) and younger are aware of the sacrifices that all vetrans and their families and communities made, and are making - just reminded listening to the hourly news that there are 1200 troops serving in Bosnia still. No matter what we think of the politics of sending troops into various conflicts, we as a country are asking them as individuals to serve and be prepared to sacrifice everything, and its the least we can do as a country to pause once a year to acknowledge, say thank you and to remember.

Jonathan

airbus320

I too am an ex-military officer and share with you the unfortunate experience of sending colleagues back to Canada from overseas military missions, one in a sealed lead coffin and one in a titanium 'halo' neckbrace with a broken neck.

I'm still not sure which was more tragic.

Lest we forget

mpc1

Quote by Cattle:
Mrs Cattle's Grandfather was at Normandy and pretty much all of his friends were killed on landing at the beach and that is something I truly don't think I can fathom

On one of your trips to Europe it would be very worthwhile to take a Normandy tour and see what Canadians went through there, made even more potent by the numbers of young soldiers buried in the cemeteries.
I went there when my son was just 20 and he was very impressed and observant of what his grandfather went through and saw the grave of a great uncle killed at the same age he was when we visited.

A few weeks back, I visted Ypres and pottered around that area with a group from the uni. Definitely touching to see, read, and hear the stories. I must admit that one doesn't really realize the magnitude of the number of lives lost until you see the endless list of names and the headstones of the fallen soldiers. It's even worse when the headstone doesn't have a name. It really makes one pose the question, why?

I cannot remember where I saw this, but one quote has stuck in my mind for quite a while now. It goes something along the lines of: War is not the result of people not getting along, but rather because of politicians. But in the end, it's really not the politicians that pay the price, but the innocent men, women, and children who do so with their lives.

As a side note, I must comment on the number of mini-Canadian flags that were flying beside almost each Canadian's grave... Did someome bring a stash of those Canada Day flags over?

Which units where you guys with? I was an officer in a reserve unit who lost a member in Bosnia (his Cougar rolled downed a ravine, only the driver survived). The most poignant moment for me was watching his spouse when they fired the 21 gun salute. Truly heartbreaking.

I served in Egypt with UNEF.

Back in 1992, I went to France on my own, as I wanted to visit the Normandy beaches and Dieppe. As an history buff myself, it was nevertheless truly moving to read the names on graves of Canadian soldiers buried in Dieppe. When you walk on the beach of Dieppe, you truly realize the amount of courage these mens showed, specially when the Nazis only had to shoot them like sitting ducks from the top of the cliffs...Every Canadians should go there once in their lifetime to pay their respects and thank them for their ultimate sacrifice.

A very interesting place to visit is the Canadian Memorial at Vimy Ridge built in the 1930's. The monument there is very impressive.

There is also a small museum which recounts Canada's role in WWI; the guides are Canadian exchange students who get posted there for 6 or 12 months.

It is a very moving place.

I have friends in that part of northern France (Lille-Douai-Lens) who told me this past weekend that the Gov. of Canada would be investing several million dollars to fix water damage on the ageing monument. They saw this in the local paper there.

The people in that part of the country (young and old) always make thankful comments regarding the role of "Les Canadiens" in both WWI and II. This has also been my experience in Amsterdam.

Unfortunately, I think we now tend to forget the sacrifices made by Canadians, past and present, serving the causes of peace, freedom and democracy.

[This message has been edited by NordsFan (edited Nov 12, 2003).]

Vimy Ridge is the birth place of Canada as a nation! Until then, we were almost a "colony" of UK, with no voices with regards to international affairs. The sacrifice made by Les Canadiens in Vimy proof their value, as well as helped Canada become a respected nation in the world rather than just "The Dominion of Canada"

I think the best way to have someone who doesn't understand the magnitude of the sacrifices made by the veterans is to send them to Europe and have them tour one of the military burial grounds where they can see the tombstones go on and on...

I was in Germany (Lahr) with 4 Service Battalion for 1.5 year (Class 'C' Reserve). I'm civilian now...

B

On the same trip as above my son visited Vimy Ridge in early November in freezing rain and while in those trenches/tunnels with that weather it was reuly poignant especially when you think of the date--1918.
We stopped in the nearby village that morning to get a baquette and cheese and the shopkeep recognizing my "tete Carre" Quebecois accent gave us the baquette as a gesture of friendship and gave my son a little speech on tbe importance of remembering these events in history.Quite compelling.
Vimy is an incredible place and monument and is Canadian soil as willed by France way back.

The lady who told me about the upcoming renovations at Vimy Ridge is 85 years old; her daughter and son-in-law immigrated to YQB about 20 years ago and are good friends.
Her husband worked on the construction of the monument some 70 years ago and then was a POW from 1940-44 before returning to work in the coal mines.

I swear I learned more about Canada's role through these people than I ever did in my Sec. 4 history class....Kind of sad really.

Many of my friends think I'm nuts when I tell them of my visits to Canadian memorials and cemetaries.

Je me souviens.

My first military cemetary experience was one in Hamm just outside of Luxemburg City. It was the site where George Patton is buried although he died in the USA.

My remembrance is one of a feeling of futility and helplessness as my tear-filled gaze roamed upon the vast expanse of white headstones. I vividly remember my underlying emotion of sadness as I walked the endless rows upon rows of graves and reflecting: "a whole generation mowed down in the beginning of their lives.'

As I later visited the graves of WWI and WWII, those same feeling were only reinforced. What a waste...

And that's the beauty of real history. To hear it from real people who lived the real thing. Books are great, but they can't carry the emotions to the same level as a humain being telling you the same story!

Interestingly enough, yesterday's weather in Brugge was dark, gloomy, and cold... I'm sure the same (if not worse) conditions the soliders must have experienced in the trenches. Pathetic fallacy at its very best...

Indeed what a waste -- that's the first thing I said when I saw all the tombs at one of the German cemeteries (the first one of many graveyards I saw a few weeks ago around the Ypres area). Of course, when I saw the largest one (cannot remember what it is called now), I was really saddened.

[This message has been edited by YOWkid (edited Nov 12, 2003).]

I visited Sai Wan Bay Commonwealth cemetary in HKG about 3 weeks prior to the handover to PRC in June 1997. I had a very hard time finding the place on maps/guidebooks, so I called the British Garrison, figuring someone would point me in the right direction. I was saddened that nobody seemed to know what I was talking about.

Several members of the Royal Rifles of Canada were YQB anglos and were the older brothers of guys my father knew. He never made it to HKG but I always remembered his stories of the men who were killed or who were POWs and felt that a visit was in order.

A very tragic story indeed.

Thanks for starting a great thread mpc1 .

We visited Ypres in May and it was one of the most moving experiences of my life.

Ah, the Royal Rifles. My old regiment perpetuated them (via the 7/11 Hussars, who later amalgamated with the Sherbrooke Hussars). I met many of the members of the Hong Kong Veterans Association while I was in Sherbrooke and always held them in high esteem. I have a copy of the Royal Rifles WWII history which makes for an interesting read. Tragic story indeed.

I was in HMCS Restigouche in 1991 and we lost a crew member in a fatal accident in Norway and in 1992 when we had a crew member paralysed in an accident in Panama while enroute to the Red Sea for Peacekeeping duties. I was personally involved in the repatriation efforts in both cases.

mpc1

Super Larry and NordsFan

I too have visited Vimy Ridge and Dieppe and am still awed at the magnitude of the sacrifice of our Canadian servicemen. Walking amongst the endless gravestones of 18 and 19 year old Canadian young men gives a lesson in our history that no textbook can do justice to.

mpc1

I know everybody here will not forget about these young mens that were killed on duty. November 11th is a date where people remember, but what about the rest of the year? Let's just make our little part in making sure that people around us have a better appreciation and understanding of these sacrifices.

It sickens me that in Ontario, Remberance Day is not a statutory holiday. We have a holiday for Turkey day (I am refusing to call it Thanksgiving any more) but not for November 11th! What's wrong with this picture!!!!!!

There's a school of thought that has it that with the day off people, especially school children, were treating it too much like a holiday and not at all like the solemn reflection it should be and the kids are better served by commemerations in the schools than getting a day off.

I'm not sure I fully agree with this but it is true that the idea was to assure that kids mostly got a respectful reminder of the great sacrifices that have been made and it was done for that reason not as a sign of disrespect.

When I was young I didn't understand the significance of Rememberance Day. But now, it means alot to me. If it weren't for the sacrifices made by all who defended the Canada and the free world, I wouldn't be here. I know it sounds a little dramatic, but it's true.

Here in Alberta where I am right now the 11th is a provincial holiday and everyone is off..........good stuff!!!

Anyone who visits France should without fail go to Vimy and see what that war was all about and you will really respect what our soldiers went through.

For me, living in Europe for the past two years and seeing the fields, the cemetaries, other war monuments, and concentration camps, has helped me understand the sacrifices the Canadians made, and I thank them for that.

Je me souviens.

Yeah, I was surprised (coming from Ontario) to hear that this week when my client had the day off.
The level of respect we give here in Canada is pretty pathetic.

I'm off tomorrow evening on 870 to CDG, so I'll arrive on 12NOV the day after Rememberance Day. The people I'm going to meet are very close friends who visited Canada about 6 years ago in November a time when we wear the poppy as a reminder of past tragedies and the sacrifices of many.

They were so impressed by this symbol that they got a few from a Legion member in a shopping mall and wear them around Paris this time every year.

11NOV is a national holiday in France; my friends called me this evening regarding our weekend activities, but ended the call by saying : "Nous portons le coquelicot demain pour vous, amis du Canada".

Je me souviens.

I must admit, it is amazing when I get thanked as a Canadian. That makes me proud to be one.

Have a grand time in Paris this weekend NordsFan. ^^^

I guess instead of sounding "cheesy", I should've made clear that I'm of Asian decent, and my parents chose to immigrate to Canada because of what a great country it is.

My father rarely talked about WWII until about 5 years ago. He served as a petty officer in charge of electrics on HMCS Summerside, a corvette. I have all of his medals which I touch with awe at the thought of him being a 20 year old with little education or experience in such a position.

Dad's American friends to a great extent do not even know Canada was in the invasion of Europe. And in fact, Canada got the hard road, thru the low countries with no glory while Monty and Patton had the easier route to germany.

Dad took part in the Normandy invasion. But, and it is a large but, our navy was so large that we had an excess of ships, and Dad & HMCS Summerside escorted the Americans ashore at Omaha Beach!

Thanks YOWkid ! :) ^

In todays day and age we have these new communities such as Flyer Talk that perhaps dont have the connection to the past that we once had. Thanks to those for grounding us for a moment and thanks to those have shared.

h We have all lost. Lest we forget.

I havent heard this for years since I was a cub scout;

In Flanders Fields

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.

This poem can be found in the War Museum in Ypres in the Grand Place and engraved at other cemetaries as well.

I was moved when I saw it each and every time.

As an educator, one of the sites I've always been meaning to see is Beaumont-Hamil (forgive me if my spelling is incorrect) where the Nfld. regiment was buried alive. As I understand it, their rifles still protrude out of the soil...it must be incredibly moving.
On a much closer note, I also always ensure that my classes visit the Museum of the Regiments in Calgary which is arguably the finest of its kind west of Ottawa. There are always veterans available to answer questions and regale you with stories of their "history." My students generally love and appreciate these people. They don't just bring history alive for the kids but some of the students truly "get it" when these people - who were the same age or just a year or two older than the students - well up at the memories these courageous people have of their experiences.

Lest younger people forget as well...

If you ever have a few spare hours in YYC, do yourself a favour and make a visit; it is well worth everyone's while.

Salute' to all those who have served - and continue to serve - Canada so proudly. We all owe you a tremendous debt of honour. Thank you for doing what you do everyday so all of us can live the lives we lead.

Singlepoint

Let us remember and be thankful of all who put themselves in danger on our behalf, for their country and the entire free world. Their actions show us the true spirit of selfless sacrifice for a higher cause. For this we can never repay them except through our eternal gratitude and remembrance.

Having travelled a bit abroad (but not enough) I can see that it was the actions of those who came before us which earned our country the reputation it enjoys today. I am blessed to be welcomed around the world, just because I am a Canadian, and these people also remember what Canadians have done for them.

FewMiles..