We held a Remembrance Day Ceremony at Sea today on my ship. We’re bobbing around the Pacific Ocean right now, but we laid a wreath and had a “hands fall in” on the flight deck. We managed to watch some of the Ceremony from Ottawa, but given the reception it was rather sporadic. Glad to see so many others were paying attention as well.
Reference the schools and Remembrance Day Ceremony, let me tell you of my experience.
I volunteered to give a Remembrance Day speech at Rock Heights school in Esquimalt,BC last year. There were eight Vetreans in Attendance, all stooped with age, but still very proud. The school’s Drama teacher gave introductions, and then asked us to watch the “skits” she and her students created to honour our Veterans, and to promote peace.
Here are some of the skits.
Skit #1
A bunch of students standing in line reading Anti-War “Poems” that spent more time slagging George Bush and the United States, then in honouring any Veterans.
Skit #2
A bunch of students (all about 10 years old) in a mock “protest” complete with signs that had nothing to do with War or Veterans. Some of the signs had slogans such as:
“No blood for oil”
“Homes for the homeless”
“End Poverty now”
“stop all imperial wars”
Etc..etc..etc..
you get the picture.
There were several more such things portrayed, but when it came my turn to give my speech I threw a bit of a curve ball at them. Instead of reading the prepared, Canadian Values speech, I let the kids know in no uncertain terms what war was about and why we have to fight sometimes. The Veterans appreciated it, but the Drama Teacher responsible for the “Skits” was just about pulling her hair out, and the neck fat oozing out of her collar was bright red. She was pissed. Not my problem.
Anyway, after the Ceremony was over I returned to base and wrote a detailed complaint about what had occurred, and why I thought it was inappropriate. Several weeks later I received a letter from the Principle of that school saying he agreed with me, and that the matter had been “taken care of”
Given that this drama teacher is still working at that school, I’d say that nothing has been taken care of at all. I wish I could have gone back this Nov. 11th to see if there was any improvement. I somehow doubt it.
That sort of Politicizing at this time of year always burns me. I had five uncles who fought in the 2nd World War (they all made it back, and only a couple were wounded) and their father, my Grandfather, was one of the foot soldiers who took Vimy Ridge under A. Currie. They came back to Canada and went on with their lives after their wars, and they never spoke about it. Every time I see an old guy waiting for the bus, I try and determine if he was a soldier or not.
Nothing else to add I suppose….except, “Jack Layton is an idiot”
But you already knew that.
Anyone see how cbc decided to ruin Remembrance Day,with their totally anti-war slanted Q&A in Vancouver?Think it was titled Canada to Kandahar.There was an injured soldier,the Afghan foreign minister(I think),who both spoke well about the good that troops doing in Afghan.,but some full of himself prof.from UBC ate up majority of time slamming the mission,Harper,the usual crap..went so far as to slag Hillier,and how he was only interested in getting more toys for the military,and that he was only self-interested! I really felt sad for the soldier,and he did defend his General.The Afghani.talked about the good that troops doing,but this motormouth jackass prof knew more than they did!Best part of eve,was when an old “vet”stood and spoke of how proud he was of our troops.At the end of the hr,some choir sang some weird song,as singers took turns reciting names of our “fallen”,with the camera on our soldiers face for a lot of the time.My heart broke for him,and it felt like a deliberate set-up to hurt him.Thank God,at least cbc had Don Cherry(a TRUE Canadian)try and balance that mess,with his truly heartfelt tribute!cbc makes me puke!
I had tears in my eye all day long, seeing the “Lest We Forget” spots and others.
And, while some are slagging the CBC, I’ll give them credit for letting Cherry talk about our troops, and then honouring our dead by giving faces to the names of those who lost their lives in Afghanistan.
Let’s remember the TV reality here. Hockey Night in Canada is CBC’s biggest draw, getting 3 to 4 times the audience of “The National”. And tonight, with Toronto-Montreal, and Calgary-Vancouver, the audience had to be pretty high. So the majority of Canadians watching the CBC got a positive message
KevinB, And, while some are slagging the CBC, I’ll give them credit for letting Cherry talk about our troops, and then honouring our dead by giving faces to the names of those who lost their lives in Afghanistan.
Give the CBC credit for not censoring Cherry? Thank you CBC.
Here’s a video I know you’ll all enjoy. By East Coaster Terry Kelly – A Pittance In Time youtube.com/watchv=KYlrrAWCTRg&mode=related&search=
It reminds me of a story I heard today about the local Wal-mart; they anounced a moment of silence over the intercom yet the self checkout isles were business as usual…until they were embarassed into silence.
I had to run a meeting yesterday, but as luck would have it, it ended at ten minutes to eleven, and some thirty-odd people stood and listened to the local cenotaph ceremony on the radio.
Somewhere, grandpa’s smiling.
Well, nothing like being up early on a Sunday morning and reading the papers..then having my blood boil while perusing the Red Star..read the Ideas section D10 and look at the picture and caption…does this not outrage you?
I have come to expect many things from Liberals in the past, many unpleasant, but this takes the cake
The media has no agenda against the Prime minister…sure…
Hey, kursk, I hear you. But why not forget the Star? I might read one put in front of me but I won’t give them a red–like the pun!–cent.
We had it delivered free for weeks: my husband put it straight into the recycle bin. Definitely a reprieve for high blood pressure!
Watching the service yesterday in Ottawa, I was so proud of our Prime Minister Harper. For the first time in years, the forces have a leader that is truly proud to be their leader.
At the service in Kelowna, a lot larger crowd than normal. But what always amazes me is when the bugle plays, even the children pause, you could have heard a pin drop.
Thanks for remembering.
Thanks for remembering.
If those who served their country after WWII don’t step up to keep the Legion alive (and this can be people who haven’t served), who will continue their work – who will organize the Remembrance Day services? After the first world war, they made a convenant with the dead: we will remember them. The WWII veterans picked up the torch. Who is going to continue this tradition?
Most Legions survive due to the efforts of the Ladies Aux. – and you’ll notice that they are grey-haired also.
In 5 years’ time, how many communities will have a Remembrance Day service around the cenotaph?
I attended a village service yesterday and there are only two veterans left in their Legion and the colour party consisted overwhelmingly of the grey-headed ladies.
God bless them, after the cold wet service, they served (free) chili, clam chowder and hot dogs.
If you haven’t seen the Legion Support the Troops magnet, check it out. $4.
Also red Support the Troops T-shirts.
Check out your Legion.
Last week, after all these many years, one lady went to the florists in town asking if they knew where she could purchase a wreath. Both of them – and they buy one themselves each year – told her they didn’t know. After inquiring all over town, someone finally mentioned the Legion.
Went to the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Convention Centre in Winnipeg. The turn out was amazing – media types estimated 6000 and that was only one of many ceremonies in the city. It was great to see and ceremony was to the point with no political correctness.
The Winnipeg Free Press had to spoil it all with an article by Paul Samyn on the politics of Remembrance Day. He quoted McGill professor Desmond Morton who said, “Remembrance Day, like all acts of commemoration, is about politics.” Samyn can be counted on to turn himself inside out to put a negative spin on our involvement in Afghanistan to try and embarrass Prime Minister Harper. He seemed to be implying in his article that the Prime Minister was using Remembrance Day to garner support for the Afghanistan mission but did not have the intestinal fortitude to say that outright. Typical Winnipeg Free Press.
If anyone saw the Ottawa ceremony on CPAC…you saw Alice Murphy (mom of soldiers)faint behind the GG during the walk-about… I’m surprised there has been no mention of this..I saw the Prime Minister wait with her til she had first aid, he spoke with her as soon as she was back on her feet…then he carried on shaking hands when he knew she was ok…a real gentleman..
Is that what they call using the day for political reasons?
Remember those who have defended this country and did more to bring peace then all those polticians scibbling their names on treaties or the wussies who are always running around trying to bring peace by releasing balloons or singing songs or went up on mountians to meditate and maybe we will have a few good persons to bring about peace
A number of people have asked for a copy of the prayer which was offered as the Prayer of
Invocation at the Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance Day Service, November 11, 2006 in Chatham, Ontario.
A Remembrance Day Prayer
In the stillness of this day, we remember, O God.
We remember those valiant ones who have answered the call
Answered with their lives and given their all.
In the stillness, we remember the young who did not return,
Those at Vimy and Ortona, Korean Battle 355, in Kandahar,
And on a thousand fields, and on the sea and in the air.
They stood on guard and fell for us and for the freedom of all.
In the stillness, we close our eyes and see the faces of youth,
Now framed in faded photographs in the homes of those they loved.
They are forever young, their courage never perishes and they are in your hands, O God.
In the stillness of our hearts we offer thanks for those who survived the ravages of war;
And we bear witness on this day with them and together remember their fallen comrades
Who did not return with them.
We will remember them.
In the stillness we pray for those who stand on guard this day in Afghanistan
For those who have taken up the torch and hold it high.
We remember those who have kept faith and in so doing keep faith ourselves.
In the stillness we remember, O God, for you walk with them, the unseen Spirit,
Ever one with the Word made flesh, in whose Name we offer this prayer,
The one who unites us in love and remembrance,
Ever one God through the stillness of the ages of ages.
AMEN.
We held a Remembrance Day Ceremony at Sea today on my ship. We’re bobbing around the Pacific Ocean right now, but we laid a wreath and had a “hands fall in” on the flight deck. We managed to watch some of the Ceremony from Ottawa, but given the reception it was rather sporadic. Glad to see so many others were paying attention as well.
Reference the schools and Remembrance Day Ceremony, let me tell you of my experience.
I volunteered to give a Remembrance Day speech at Rock Heights school in Esquimalt,BC last year. There were eight Vetreans in Attendance, all stooped with age, but still very proud. The school’s Drama teacher gave introductions, and then asked us to watch the “skits” she and her students created to honour our Veterans, and to promote peace.
Here are some of the skits.
Skit #1
A bunch of students standing in line reading Anti-War “Poems” that spent more time slagging George Bush and the United States, then in honouring any Veterans.
Skit #2
A bunch of students (all about 10 years old) in a mock “protest” complete with signs that had nothing to do with War or Veterans. Some of the signs had slogans such as:
“No blood for oil”
“Homes for the homeless”
“End Poverty now”
“stop all imperial wars”
Etc..etc..etc..
you get the picture.
There were several more such things portrayed, but when it came my turn to give my speech I threw a bit of a curve ball at them. Instead of reading the prepared, Canadian Values speech, I let the kids know in no uncertain terms what war was about and why we have to fight sometimes. The Veterans appreciated it, but the Drama Teacher responsible for the “Skits” was just about pulling her hair out, and the neck fat oozing out of her collar was bright red. She was pissed. Not my problem.
Anyway, after the Ceremony was over I returned to base and wrote a detailed complaint about what had occurred, and why I thought it was inappropriate. Several weeks later I received a letter from the Principle of that school saying he agreed with me, and that the matter had been “taken care of”
Given that this drama teacher is still working at that school, I’d say that nothing has been taken care of at all. I wish I could have gone back this Nov. 11th to see if there was any improvement. I somehow doubt it.
That sort of Politicizing at this time of year always burns me. I had five uncles who fought in the 2nd World War (they all made it back, and only a couple were wounded) and their father, my Grandfather, was one of the foot soldiers who took Vimy Ridge under A. Currie. They came back to Canada and went on with their lives after their wars, and they never spoke about it. Every time I see an old guy waiting for the bus, I try and determine if he was a soldier or not.
Nothing else to add I suppose….except, “Jack Layton is an idiot”
But you already knew that.
Anyone see how cbc decided to ruin Remembrance Day,with their totally anti-war slanted Q&A in Vancouver?Think it was titled Canada to Kandahar.There was an injured soldier,the Afghan foreign minister(I think),who both spoke well about the good that troops doing in Afghan.,but some full of himself prof.from UBC ate up majority of time slamming the mission,Harper,the usual crap..went so far as to slag Hillier,and how he was only interested in getting more toys for the military,and that he was only self-interested! I really felt sad for the soldier,and he did defend his General.The Afghani.talked about the good that troops doing,but this motormouth jackass prof knew more than they did!Best part of eve,was when an old “vet”stood and spoke of how proud he was of our troops.At the end of the hr,some choir sang some weird song,as singers took turns reciting names of our “fallen”,with the camera on our soldiers face for a lot of the time.My heart broke for him,and it felt like a deliberate set-up to hurt him.Thank God,at least cbc had Don Cherry(a TRUE Canadian)try and balance that mess,with his truly heartfelt tribute!cbc makes me puke!
I had tears in my eye all day long, seeing the “Lest We Forget” spots and others.
And, while some are slagging the CBC, I’ll give them credit for letting Cherry talk about our troops, and then honouring our dead by giving faces to the names of those who lost their lives in Afghanistan.
Let’s remember the TV reality here. Hockey Night in Canada is CBC’s biggest draw, getting 3 to 4 times the audience of “The National”. And tonight, with Toronto-Montreal, and Calgary-Vancouver, the audience had to be pretty high. So the majority of Canadians watching the CBC got a positive message
KevinB,
And, while some are slagging the CBC, I’ll give them credit for letting Cherry talk about our troops, and then honouring our dead by giving faces to the names of those who lost their lives in Afghanistan.
Give the CBC credit for not censoring Cherry? Thank you CBC.
Here’s a video I know you’ll all enjoy. By East Coaster Terry Kelly – A Pittance In Time youtube.com/watchv=KYlrrAWCTRg&mode=related&search=
It reminds me of a story I heard today about the local Wal-mart; they anounced a moment of silence over the intercom yet the self checkout isles were business as usual…until they were embarassed into silence.
I had to run a meeting yesterday, but as luck would have it, it ended at ten minutes to eleven, and some thirty-odd people stood and listened to the local cenotaph ceremony on the radio.
Somewhere, grandpa’s smiling.
Well, nothing like being up early on a Sunday morning and reading the papers..then having my blood boil while perusing the Red Star..read the Ideas section D10 and look at the picture and caption…does this not outrage you?
I have come to expect many things from Liberals in the past, many unpleasant, but this takes the cake
The media has no agenda against the Prime minister…sure…
Hey, kursk, I hear you. But why not forget the Star? I might read one put in front of me but I won’t give them a red–like the pun!–cent.
We had it delivered free for weeks: my husband put it straight into the recycle bin. Definitely a reprieve for high blood pressure!
Watching the service yesterday in Ottawa, I was so proud of our Prime Minister Harper. For the first time in years, the forces have a leader that is truly proud to be their leader.
At the service in Kelowna, a lot larger crowd than normal. But what always amazes me is when the bugle plays, even the children pause, you could have heard a pin drop.
Thanks for remembering.
Thanks for remembering.
If those who served their country after WWII don’t step up to keep the Legion alive (and this can be people who haven’t served), who will continue their work – who will organize the Remembrance Day services? After the first world war, they made a convenant with the dead: we will remember them. The WWII veterans picked up the torch. Who is going to continue this tradition?
Most Legions survive due to the efforts of the Ladies Aux. – and you’ll notice that they are grey-haired also.
In 5 years’ time, how many communities will have a Remembrance Day service around the cenotaph?
I attended a village service yesterday and there are only two veterans left in their Legion and the colour party consisted overwhelmingly of the grey-headed ladies.
God bless them, after the cold wet service, they served (free) chili, clam chowder and hot dogs.
If you haven’t seen the Legion Support the Troops magnet, check it out. $4.
Also red Support the Troops T-shirts.
Check out your Legion.
Last week, after all these many years, one lady went to the florists in town asking if they knew where she could purchase a wreath. Both of them – and they buy one themselves each year – told her they didn’t know. After inquiring all over town, someone finally mentioned the Legion.
Went to the Remembrance Day Ceremony at the Convention Centre in Winnipeg. The turn out was amazing – media types estimated 6000 and that was only one of many ceremonies in the city. It was great to see and ceremony was to the point with no political correctness.
The Winnipeg Free Press had to spoil it all with an article by Paul Samyn on the politics of Remembrance Day. He quoted McGill professor Desmond Morton who said, “Remembrance Day, like all acts of commemoration, is about politics.” Samyn can be counted on to turn himself inside out to put a negative spin on our involvement in Afghanistan to try and embarrass Prime Minister Harper. He seemed to be implying in his article that the Prime Minister was using Remembrance Day to garner support for the Afghanistan mission but did not have the intestinal fortitude to say that outright. Typical Winnipeg Free Press.
If anyone saw the Ottawa ceremony on CPAC…you saw Alice Murphy (mom of soldiers)faint behind the GG during the walk-about… I’m surprised there has been no mention of this..I saw the Prime Minister wait with her til she had first aid, he spoke with her as soon as she was back on her feet…then he carried on shaking hands when he knew she was ok…a real gentleman..
Is that what they call using the day for political reasons?
Remember those who have defended this country and did more to bring peace then all those polticians scibbling their names on treaties or the wussies who are always running around trying to bring peace by releasing balloons or singing songs or went up on mountians to meditate and maybe we will have a few good persons to bring about peace
A number of people have asked for a copy of the prayer which was offered as the Prayer of
Invocation at the Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance Day Service, November 11, 2006 in Chatham, Ontario.
A Remembrance Day Prayer
In the stillness of this day, we remember, O God.
We remember those valiant ones who have answered the call
Answered with their lives and given their all.
In the stillness, we remember the young who did not return,
Those at Vimy and Ortona, Korean Battle 355, in Kandahar,
And on a thousand fields, and on the sea and in the air.
They stood on guard and fell for us and for the freedom of all.
In the stillness, we close our eyes and see the faces of youth,
Now framed in faded photographs in the homes of those they loved.
They are forever young, their courage never perishes and they are in your hands, O God.
In the stillness of our hearts we offer thanks for those who survived the ravages of war;
And we bear witness on this day with them and together remember their fallen comrades
Who did not return with them.
We will remember them.
In the stillness we pray for those who stand on guard this day in Afghanistan
For those who have taken up the torch and hold it high.
We remember those who have kept faith and in so doing keep faith ourselves.
In the stillness we remember, O God, for you walk with them, the unseen Spirit,
Ever one with the Word made flesh, in whose Name we offer this prayer,
The one who unites us in love and remembrance,
Ever one God through the stillness of the ages of ages.
AMEN.