(photo credit Karen P.)
“The Regina Vigil will be presented at the Provincial Legislature situated in Wascana Park, beside the Saskatchewan War Memorial. As with every vigil, it runs for seven nights, starting at 5:00pm each evening, The first name appears at 5:15pm. Each night’s vigil will be 13 hours long, ending at sunrise the following day. The vigil will then recommence at 5:00pm and run another 13 hours. The last name will appear as dawn breaks on November 11th.”
Related – Bring our history home.
Henry Allingham, Britian’s oldest veteran at 112;
“You try to forget, you want to forget, but you couldn’t forget,” he said.
“Those men must not be forgotten ever. They sacrificed everything on my behalf, and your behalf as well.”
Mr Allingham was speaking as the death of another World War I veteran was announced.
Sydney Maurice Lucas, who was born in Leicester, died on Tuesday in his home town near Melbourne, in Australia, at the age of 108.
2 minute recording of a gas shell bombardment.
St. Pauls, downtown Toronto
(photo credit Doug L.)
My high school did something like that. They read off all the names of the graduated boys who had died, starting inthe Boer War.
WWI was always the most depressing, it went on and on and on. Which, considering the size of the school back then must have meant that a large fraction of the young men of those years died in Flanders.
But as a young man standing in assembly, it brought it home that “this could have been you”.
I went to see it a couple of nights ago – I had no family members in WWI but it was still moving to see the names scroll past. Hopefully something like this will be an annual event and include WWII and more recent wars.
The Grope and Flail has another of their polls.
80+% of people are saying that they are wearing poppies today. Has anyone seen anything even close to that? 80%??. More like 25-30%, tops.
We have but one WW1 veteran still living. I heard a report this week that our WW2 veterans are dying at the rate of 500 per week. They too will soon all be gone. My dad is a WW2 veteran. He will soon be 92.
The fewer that remain the harder it will be to keep reminding ourselves, our children and grandchildren that a huge sacrifice was paid by many for the beautiful life we have. That fewer and fewer Canadians wear a poppy, I believe, is quite telling. We must reverse that trend and make Nov. 11th a NATIONAL holiday of observance. We need to make it A BIG DEAL!
In 1999 three peace racketeers (Leonard Desroches, Bob Holmes, and Dan Heap, the last a former New Democratic MP) tried to take the sword off the QOR’s memorial at St. Paul’s. The Globe and Mail sent Michael Valpy to do a fawning story on them when they were tried for mischief.
http://www.anglicanjournal.com/issues/1998/124/sep/07/article/peace-activists-target-cenotaph/
“It is lawful for Christian men, at the commandment of the Magistrate, to wear weapons, and serve in the wars.” (Article XXXVII)
There is infinitely more decency in four riflemen reversing arms than in any Heap of pacifists.
“and make Nov. 11th a NATIONAL holiday of observance.”
…yes agreed!
I once worked for a company with offices across Canada and noticed the office in Toronto booked clients for Nov 11 here in Calgary.
When I phoned to ask why I got this silence on the phone (not the remembrance kind) and they said, “Oh right, you’re in Alberta.”
I thought it was a holiday all across Canada, but apparently not so. Seems only a few provinces do it, like Alberta.
Though like many, I loathe the CBC, I got a call from a producer at CBC Edmonton.
A Nanaimo professor has created an archive called the Canadian Letters and Images Project which consists of letters and correspondence from servicemen in the two great wars. I had contributed considerable numbers of such from my Uncle Peter, who died at 21 as a bombardier when his Mitchell bomber crashed in France.
This professor had passed on letters from Peter to CBC Edmonton, where he had lived when he first enlisted.
CBC Edmonton will be reading a letter from my Uncle, written to my mother just before her marriage to my father, a beautiful poem he wrote called ‘The Bombardier’ and finally, a tremendously moving and tender letter from a French priest who was the first on the scene of the crash, sent to my grandparents, Peter’s Mom and Dad.
I have to give kudos to CBC producer Jim McQuarrie for his caring nature and apparent closeness to those who served Canadians over the course of history and to thank the CBC for bringing Peter back to life for others, if ever so briefly.
http://www.cbc.ca/edmonton/programs/
I am going to begin the process of talking to our provincial government to try to have more taught on our country. I find it appaling that there is little to no history taught of Canadiana in general. We have accomplished much in battle and we as Canadians should be aware and teaching this to the next generation. Please talk to your MLA’s regarding this.
Sad commentary on “The Vigil” in that the BC government could not find the finances to fund a showing in BC. The Campbell government had no problem in finding and funding the overblown budget for the Olympic games for 2010, no problem in funding the overblown cost of the Vancouver convention centre, and no problem in financing raises for government department heads but couldn’t find $75,000 for “The Vigil”. I hope and trust that the voters of BC will be unable to continue ‘funding’ this provincial Liberal government when the time comes.
When i was a boy i counted the days till christmas. Now i count the days till rememberance day, I don’t know why, because i cry every time. david in peterborough
Getting ready to head out to the service – interestingly it’s the only remaining semi-spiritual service acceptable in the public sphere.
We all know In Flanders Fields – but I always read Wilfred Owen’s poem on Remembrance Day as well
http://www.english.emory.edu/LostPoets/Dulce.html
imethisguy – well, in my observation, the ratio of people wearing the poppy in the last week has been very high. I’d say at least 60%.
I did a careless observation of ‘who’ was wearing the poppy and came up with white, black, male, female, old and young. As far as ethnicities, certainly, I saw plenty of Asians. But, from what I could tell – no Islamic – but that’s only using dress code or other visual evidence.
In the subway, a young Asian woman came up to me and asked my why so many people were wearing this ‘red flower’ and what did it mean. I explained, and she agreed on its importance.
I’d say that more people are now aware of Canada’s military past and present activities, and are finally, returning to a sense of open pride and support. This is obvious in the ceremonies, the attendance at these ceremonies, the editorials in our MSM which also show support, the new focus in schools on this day.
This pride and support was gradually removed from us by such romantic naivete as held by Pearson, who reduced the military to a passive policeforce, and by Trudeau, who, as a socialist, rejected any individual’s right or support for freedom.
Then, there was Chretien, whose every action was never based on principle or morality but only on what enhanced his own political power.
Finally, with Harper, we have a leader who recognizes that freedom isn’t a basic chemical filtering naturally from the ground but must be developed, worked on and if necessary, fought for.
We must honour those who have fought to allow us to have and nurture this freedom and we must remain vigilante in its protection.
“To you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high”.
ET @ 12:58PM
“We must honour those who have fought to allow us to have and nurture this freedom and we must remain vigilante in its protection.”
Well said, ET. Well said.
ET
I have noticed that it’s harder to find places to buy poppies
I went down to the Ontario Legislature today to join in the Remembrance Day ceremonies as I thought it would be something extra special to commemorate our armed forces and their sacrifices. It was without a doubt the most pathetic ceremony I have ever attended. The smallest town puts a better celebration on than this our provincial parliament.
The ceremony was held in basically a depression in the ground which I believe is the base of the veteran’s monument. This gave the hundreds attending this important occasion literally nothing to see. The speakers were in this depression so if you moved anywhere other than immediately in front of them the sound disappeared. People were glancing at their watches as the moment of silence and the Last Post began several minutes before eleven. Here you had Ontario’s Lieutenant Governor and the Premier of the Province speaking as well as senior military staff and no one could see them. Toronto had an excellent celebration last year and we could see the four plane fly past south of us so I am assuming it was just as good this year.
Truly an embarrassing presentation as mentioned by several people around me.
The military were sharp and impressive as usual with their firing of the artillery guns in Queen’s Park, wow they were loud.
God bless our troops — may He rest those that have fallen, and may He bring strength to those who are fighting on our behalf, and on the behalf of people around the world.
To the brave fallen: I will cherish your memory — I promise.
For a great read on a First War Veteran’s account – check out “Ghosts Have Warm Hands” by Will Bird. Haunting doesn’t begin to describe it. The only place I found it available was at the Canadian War Museum (almost known as the Museum of Human Conflict, if memory serves)
I went to the Cenotaph in Ottawa today. There were so many people I couldn’t get very close or hear very well. It was packed. One enterprising guy climbed a tree. Everyone serious and well behaved.
Lots of young people (under 40), LOTS of children in strollers, mixing with soldiers, all kinds of people…and a fair number of Asians but no hijab wearing or obvious Arab/Islamist types that I could see.
Lots of poppies, I would estimate about 60% or higher. Even the panhandlers and the “Save the Planet” types were wearing them!
A few brave voices around me sang God Save the Queen at the end.
I did not see or hear anything about the CHRC’s J Lynch’s wreath while I was there but I was far away. Does anyone know what happened?
An amazing service in town in AB where I live. The last post always starts the waterworks for me.
It seems if the Legion is active there is a better chance of big crowds at the service. They also have services in most of my town’s and area schools partly because the vets offered to help and speak several years ago. My dad, before he died 3 years ago, attended almost all the schools, as he felt getting to know the kids was the most important thing he could do to help them put a face to the wars Canada has participated in.
Imagine the pride from my kids when their granddad came to their school to speak!
It’s huge in southern AB and that means alot to me. It puts into better perspective my dad’s involvement and the difficulty he sometimes had just living through some days.
Thanks to all those who got off their duffs today and made the effort. I appreciate your personal sacrifice to remember not only those who are buried on foreign soil, but also those who came home and lived a good life – and passed on their passion for life, and freedom.
excellent turn out here in Vancouver, despite a very, very wet day. Easily 80% wearing poppies, lots of kids with parents.
Just one peace at any price nut, probably off her methadone treatment who had to be noisily escorted “off the premises”.
More often than not I get very cynical about the
future of our Canada. It’s hard for me to listen to weasels like jack Layton and PET and so many more who are in my view ant-Canadian.
Today my wife and I attended the Public
remembrance day service in our little community in the Okanagan valley.
Hundreds of folks of all ages attended. We had the appropriate honour guard, sang Hymns and had prayers. The whole event was totally Canadian
and truly reflected the Canada I have enjoyed for so many years.
From now on when I hear the jerks yapping about why we shouldn’t stand up and fight for our way of life, I’m going to remember the huge public support we have in our little town.
To Jack Layton I am going to shout, “you don’t speak for us”, out here in Canada. Please shut the hell up!
In Newmarket, Ontario the Air Cadets and Navy Cadets maintained an all-night honour guard at the cenotaph from Saturday night through the parade on Sunday afternoon. My son (age 16) was part of the guard, and I’m very proud of him.
I visited my favorite WW2 Vet today – same as I always have on Nov 11 – my 91 year old dad. He doesn’t say much any more but I told him how much I love that he served his country. It makes me so proud. He smiled. I told him that his grandson, who is a firefighter, always shows up in uniform at the Rememberance Day ceremonies to honor his grandfather and that great generation.
He smiled again. I don’t know how many more Rememberance Days my dad has left but I know that, whether he is here or not, I will not fail to honor him and his fellow heroes on that one day. It is the LEAST we can do. God Bless them all.
Unfortunately, I had to work today, it was a necessary thing that had to be done. I was however moved when the guy running the project had everyone stop and do the minute of silence at 11am. Although he is a youngster at 35 and not having served himself, he had everyone, including contractors, observe the moment. As a vet, I was touched that this day still means a lot to Canadians.
Bravo Zulu to ya Scott.
Huge turnout in Peachland today, SRO in the community center. The legion was hopping with bagpipes and plenty of beef stew.
To all the veterans who have fought for our two Nations
For those who died. My Thanks, you are remembered . I would hope to shake a few hands when we all meet again on that last day.
God help that we never forget the message of this poem. Its never stale. That each generation keeps the faith a fire, for the next.
In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
In Flanders Fields the poppies grow
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.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SnIdT7Sb-Q&feature=related
God bless our troops — may He rest those that have fallen, and may He bring strength to those who are fighting on our behalf, and on the behalf of people around the world.
To the brave fallen: I will cherish your memory — I promise.
Truly, God bless them.
Unless they’re gay, in which case you’re free to die for your country, just don’t marry the person you’re in love with. And, you get to burn in hell.
Today was rainy and cold at Victory Square in Vancouver, as it often is on November 11. The crowd was as large as ever.
I love standing in the rain for an hour, cold and not dressed warmly enough.
I love standing with thousands of others doing the same thing, even though most of us can’t see the ceremony.
Everything that is good about my life is due to the sacrifice of our military, and our allies’, over the years. It’s the least I can do.
MY wife,son and I went to Ottawa today,and I’ve got to tell you.The proud men and women in uniform alone was worth the 4 hour drive.But when 11 oclock struck, and you really have to imagine this, in a crowd of thousands, all you could hear was the wind.Absolutely Amazing!
Remembrance Day always brings to mind Remembrance Days past. As a young Cub Scout standing shivering in the biting cold seeing very old men leaning on their walking sticks and hearing that they were Boor War vets. Beside them stood some younger men straight back many with mustaches who were World War One vets. Beside them stood my uncles and their comrades who were World War Two vets. The wind may howl and the snow may swirl but they all stood ram rod straight as the bugle sounded the Last Post and Reveille.
As the years went by, the oldest men passed seemingly unnoticed and the youngest vet became older. In the late sixties and early seventies I became the town bugler. The cold often freezing the instrument even as I blew in it to keep the airways open.
One very memorable Remembrance Day in the late seventies I again sounded the Last Post and Reveille and to my deepest honour the last surviving World War One vet called me over. He reached out, shook my hand and told me that he had never heard such a stirring rendition of the two bugle tunes. The next year he was not there having gone on to his great reward.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We Will Remember Them.
Beauty, Joe.
In another Okanagan town, Vernon, we had a very large crowd at the hockey rink. The Scottish band always gives me goosebumps, and the tiny little drummers with their twirling drumsticks keep the lopsided beat so perfectly.
The highlight for us was the young sentries who stood for 90 minutes, completely still with heads bowed. My kids were amazed at their poise, and the young men received a huge ovation as they finally marched off after the wreaths were laid.
Lest we forget, all our veterans are not the generation of our fathers. Many are now the very young, the men and women in their twenties and thirties who have served us so proudly in Afghanistan and other places.
God bless each one of them, too.
Valencia, I’ve posted this–not yet up–at Ezra Levant’s blog:
This is the letter I’ve just sent to [MP] Thompson [Minister of Veteran Affairs]:
“I was at the Cenotaph ceremony in Ottawa yesterday. (I took three days out of my schedule to be there.)
“On surveying the vast array of wreaths on Tuesday afternoon, I was dumbstruck to see the one marked ‘The Canadian Human Rights Commission’. [I took a picture of it.]
“Knowing of the CHRC’s reprehensible and possibly criminal record re its ongoing persecution of law-abiding citizens, I was outraged. For propriety’s sake, I’d not have done it, but I seriously considered turning it backwards.
“The CHRC’s wreath at a Canadian celebration of our freedoms and the sacrifice of our fighting men and women, who have put their very lives on the line to preserve them, is a travesty of the utmost proportions. Unfortunately, it is now your government that is responsible for this run amok abomination.
“Your thoughts, please.”
I was in the silent, respectful crowd in Ottawa: most of us stood, in the grey cold for three hours to be part of it. The military participants—the Air Command Pipe Band was just in front of where I was—stood for about 90 minutes, stock still, in their unsubstantial uniforms, most with no gloves—and then, at the end of the solemnities, marched off, on parade, playing their instruments. I was—am—in awe of their true grit, a reality quite foreign to the Jennifer Lynches [head of the CHRC] of this world.
The crowd had no idea who was laying wreaths, other than the few dignitaries who were noted with commentary and on the big screen. As I said above, I was disgusted when I later saw the CHRC wreath. It was beside the one from ‘Jack Layton and the NDP Caucus’. (What a self-promoter: I don’t think the other party leaders included their names.)
I expect I’ll get the same non-answer from MP Thompson, though I did ask for ‘[his] thoughts’. Let’s see . . .”