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Veterans Day: The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month
To all those who have served their Country, both abroad and at home, we say Thanks.
http://mrmom.amaonline.com/special/womenareveterans.htm http://mrmom.amaonline.com/veteran.htm http://mrmom.amaonline.com/special/whatisavet.htm http://www1.va.gov/opa/vetsday/ http://www.military.com/Content/More...ml?ESRC=dod.nl O Valiant Hearts “ O valiant hearts who to your glory came through dust of conflict and through battle flame; tranquil you lie, your knightly virtue proved, your memory hallowed in the land you loved. Proudly you gathered, rank on rank, to war as who had heard God's message from afar; all you had hoped for, all you had, you gave, to save mankind — yourselves you scorned to save.” Taken from: John Stanhope Arkwright’s hymn “O Valiant Hearts”. |
November 11 is Remembrance Day in Canada
In Flanders Fields video from the Toronto Star
John McRae, author of the poem, was a Zeta Psi at the University of Toronto |
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We salute you!!!
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What is sad, is an article in local paper about Veterns who are homeless and one was an Iraqi Vet in a bread line.:o
On a plus side, a Marine Vet from KC Ks, is having a house built and will be on Extreme Make Over as revealing is going on right now!:) Lost a leg and has four kids. It is sad when so many give their lives or are injuried and not honored. I have not seen the Big Viet Nam wall in D C, but have been to the travewling wall and it is very sobering to see so many names on it! That is why I wanted to get my flag pole re-put back up and fly the Stars and Stripes! Damn does it look good as I look up at it every morning and afternoon when I get home! |
A selection of "music videos" that I use to bring home Remembrance Day for some student groups that I give talks to...
The Bryan Adams & Department of Defense compilation video http://youtube.com/watch?v=Xj0WX0jtJJI Dropkick Murphy's: Green Fields of France http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZrQnnZJ68Xo The Pogues: And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda http://youtube.com/watch?v=GPFjToKuZQM and lastly a private group's Tribute to the British Fallen - (WARNING very emotional and with some graphic shots) http://youtube.com/watch?v=jtl5kmWrFLg "Remembrance Day isn't only about honouring the fallen, or paying tribute to those who served... Remembrance Day is about remembering the horror of war, and never forgetting it's terrible cost... Remembrance Day is ultimately about praying for the day when the war is only a memory - but a cautionary memory, and hence the cautionary 'Lest We Forget'" (quoted from my speech at this year's service). |
I'll take today to think about the World War II veterans in particular -- including my father.
They are passing away in large numbers, and we owe them a lot. |
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Incidentally there is only 1 surviving Great War vet left from Canada, and he's lived in the US since 1920 ;) When he passes through there'll be a full state funeral and national day of mourning as declared by an Act of Parliament and Royal Decree... |
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And well it should be! I'll drink a toast to him on that day, but not too soon I hope. |
About a week and a half ago, I heard on a newscast that Brig. Gen. Paul Tibbetts (USAF, Ret.) who, as a Colonel, commanded the flight of the Enola Gay which dropped the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima passed away on September 1.
He had purposely stayed out of the limelight for years because of the controversy surrounding the mission but reportedly had no regrets because it helped shorten the war. |
Two things come to mind:
1. He was ordered to as air craft commander. He was in the Military in a time of a major war. 2. It helped stop WW!! in the Pacific where the lose of American life would have been astronomical. My Father was in WWII in the Pacific Army and not a scratch, but my Uncle a Marine in the Pacific had *13* Purple Hearts. So much for ending Major wars.:o Oh, we have Police actions since then! |
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Anyways the whole Act of Parliament and subsequent Royal Decree was an interesting display of Canadian politics... the motion in Parliament was tabled by the opposition (the NDP in this case... umm far left) and was opposed for some reason by the Conservatives - anyways in case the motion didn't pass the Legion went above the PM's head and appealed to the Crown & the Senate; and both actions where successful within the same week... although some cynics might argue the Conservative opposition faded once the Senate and then the Queen stepped in ;) |
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There is a great deal more than just what you wrote about Gen Tibbetts. He was one of the best pilots in the 8th Air Force in England. And his "special op" unit practiced and planned attacks on Japan as well as Germany. |
The following news story from a few days ago shows that "Duty, Honor, Country" are more than just three words, more than just a phrase.
Our Service personal heroically and selflessly serve and protect us well beyond the battlefields. To them and ALL who wear the uniform, now or in the past, I say Thank You! Fast-acting Marines save lives in motel fire Blaze destroys Americas Best Value Inn in Lake Forest. http://www.ocregister.com/articles/f...22885-reported |
I took a class on the history of the "Great War" (World War I), and it was indescribably devastating. I think people often forget its importance because people see it as overshadowed by World War II. They are both important to remember.
Europe memorialized the war very fittingly. For example, France put the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and its Eternal Flame at the foot of the Arc de Triomphe. Additionally, Britain built the Cenotaph, a giant tombstone without scriptures or other adornments. It was left this way so that every person could visit it and remember their loved veterans and imagine whatever they wanted written on it (and also because nothing seemed a fitting thing to say after the destruction). The British also wear red poppies every year in remembrance, as poppies are the first flowers to bloom in the fields each year, a sign of renewal of life from the fields where the trenches were. Thank you to all the veterans out there! |
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