The 11 Hr of the 11 day of the 11th Month-Veterans Day

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by RACooper

it's not uncommon at all to see people weeping (civilians, veterans, and military) at the services.

That's not so uncommon at a lot of US services either. My hometown has big memorials for WWI, WWII, the Korean War and Vietnam, and some of my earliest memories are of seeing grown men crying as the tributes were given.

Also, I'm not sure if you were taking a not-so-subtle dig at the U.S., but I wouldn't characterize our rememberance activities as "overly-patriotic" or "nationalistic."

Personally, I made sure to call my father (a Vietnam vet), and remembered my grandfathers, both of whom were WWII vets.

[RACooper]

I wasn't making a "dig" at the US service - it's just by comparison is more patriotic/nationalistic in flavour...

How to explain.... hmmm - okay for example the US service seems to be strictly focused on US personnel and American casualties - whereas the Remembrance Day service not only focuses say on Canadian personnel and casualties but on also on the 'British Empire/Commonwealth', Allies and even to some extent the 'enemy'.

One other signifcant difference is the fact that it is highly frowned upon for the political leader to give any political speaches.... or to participate in any greater capacity than laying a wreath - and finally there are a lot less national flags around at the service.