A tradition of duty.
Meet the last five British survivors of World War One
Every man of fighting age in this Ojibwa reserve volunteered for World War II.
Children of the Great War (UK)
Add yours in the comments.
A tradition of duty.
Meet the last five British survivors of World War One
Every man of fighting age in this Ojibwa reserve volunteered for World War II.
Children of the Great War (UK)
Add yours in the comments.
Amen to that Kate,and I pray today,that all our men and women in uniform stay safe.
I read every one of the articles.
God love every single one of those heroes.
I’ll be at the cenotaph in about an hour, thinking primarily about my Dad, and 6 of my uncles.
The last flying Avro Lancaster in the world just flew over my house.
We remember.
Amen. Will never forget. I too pray for our men and women to stay safe.
A special note: To Jack in Caledonia, we are thinking of you today.
THE FINAL INSPECTION
The soldier stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining
Just as brightly as his brass.
“Step forward now, you soldier.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To your faith have you been true?”
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
“No Lord, I guess I ain’t.
Because those of us who carry guns
Can’t always be a saint.
I’ve had to work most Sundays,
And at times my walk was tough.
And sometimes I’ve been violent
Because the world is awefully rough.
And I’ve never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God, forgive me,
I’ve wept unmanly tears.
I know I don’t deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
Except to calm their fears.
If you’ve got a place for me here,Lord
It needn’t be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don’t, I’ll understand.”
There was silence all around the throne,
Where the saints had often trod.
As the soldier waited quietly,
For the judgement of his God.
“Step forward now, you soldier,
You’ve borne your burdens well.
Walk peacefully on Heaven’s streets.
You’ve done your time in hell.”
Author Unknown
Today we must give thanks for the sacrifices of fallen patriots…we must also renew our vows to keep faith with them in their ultimate sacrifice which was expended fighting for our and other’s freedom, liberty and democarcy.
We break faith with our fallen heroes every time we fail to defend our freedoms from the forces which assault it.
It is a day to remember the fallen as they pass the torch to us to continue the fight.
We must stand on guard now
Phantom – you must live near Hamilton, where the Lanc is based at the air museum. I was watching the ceremonies in Ottawa when I heard the sound of planes – looked out and saw what I think were four Spitfires doing a flypast over the cenotaph downtown. My dad served in the RCAF during the war; he died when I was just four, so I get a bit choked up during the ceremonies every year.
A fitting tribute from a different Bob.
I shall choke back my rage today at the cenotaph, when our local socialist politicians denigrate our valiant warriors, both dead and alive, past and present.
And then, I shall raise a toast to all of them, grateful for what their sacrifices have allowed everyone, including the deceitful wretches who would throw it all away without regard to facts, or a future I wish for all.
I, as should we all, will remember them.
Me too Rick. I get a tear every time they do the Missing Man fly past.
General George S. Patton
Messina World War II
Almighty and most merciful Father, we humbly beseech Thee, of Thy great goodness, to restrain these immoderate rains with which we have had to contend. Grant us fair weather for Battle. Graciously hearken to us as soldiers who call upon Thee that, armed with Thy power, we may advance from victory to victory, and crush the oppression and wickedness of our enemies and establish Thy justice among men and nations.
…-
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1924153/posts
Thanks for that post, adifferent bob.
Not everyone agrees…..Move To Canada (http://wmtc.blogspot.com/2007/11/1111.html)and I find it despicable that anyone would be so shallow and uncaring that they would adopt and publish this type of garbage. But when you cut through all the rhetoric isn’t that why honor the living and the dead on this day.
A propos to the post of k. smart at 11:29
The pastor who spoke at the Woodstock, Ontario cenotaph this morning had a line worth repeating to the politicians who bleat for terrorist pacification and retreat.
He said : “if you will not stand behind our military services, then go and stand in front of them”
It may well be an old worn line for all I know, but I love it.
A huge turnout for our Woodstock, memorial service today!
With a four Harvard fly-by.
“The last flying Avro Lancaster in the world just flew over my house.
We remember.
Posted by: The Phantom at November 11, 2007 10:58 AM ”
Sorry buddy but the RAF have one in the RAF memorial flight along with Spitfires and Huricanes. Unless that is the one you mean.
http://www.battle-fleet.com/pw/his/lancaster.htm
Two Avro Lancasters remain in air-worthy condition, although few flying hours remain on their airframes and actual flying is carefully rationed. One is PA474 of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and the other is FM 213 of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
Ojibwa WWII volunteers.
Just last eve, was talking to a Manitoba friend. He had responded to a for sale ad — a piece of construction machinery.
He could tell over the phone that the seller was native. The machine description interested him, so he drove 4 hours.
The machine was EXACTLY as described, the guy was also A-one and a deal was made. My friend wondered how often, far too many are caught in the broad brush. I said very often.
No matter if it is Aboriginals or Environmentalists or whatever. The rotten 5% can spoil it for all. Why does this happen ??
IMO, because the fanatics get all the attention in the media. A very small group may be blocking roads or ships and they will be on the evening news —- not the other 90% who are being reasonable. But them, that wouldn’t make a story, now would it ?
Last I heard the RAF parked theirs. “Safety concerns” or some such. Making ours the last one.
I’d be overjoyed to be wrong, there can never be too many warbirds still flying. Nothing in the world sounds like 4 Merlins turning. Imagine the sky black with them like it was over England… it’s hard to imagine that if you’ve never even seen one fly.
Canadian Warplane Heritage is the only charity I donate to regularly. They keep the flame alive, day in and day out, and there’s damn few others out there doing that.
I can vividly recall back in my youth shivering in my cadet uniform at the cenotaph wondering what this is all about. And then all I had to do is look over at the platoon/squadron of vets standing at attention and it would all be clear to me.
They saw their duty and did it. They also saw their duty to those who didn’t come back. Lest we forget.
The Memorial Flight Lanc is alive and well flying displays today and will continue to fly for years to come.
http://www.bbmf.co.uk/
A quick salute to Texas Canuck, a fellow vet.
Just a reminder that when these guys get back, practical assistance is what they will need most.
Symbolism is great, but it’s also important to remember that the guys aren’t symbols.
They’ll be needing jobs, they’ll be needing time for re-orientation to civilian life, and some of them will need medical and psychological assistance.
It might be of interest to know that not long ago I was in conversation with a Navy captain recently discharged, and they explained that Canada has come up with the best ideas to help special ops people to re-orient to civilian life.
I don’t remember the name of the program, but the US is shipping some of our discharged special ops people up to the Great White North to go through this very effective program.
You understand, after you’ve trained a Doberman Pinscher to be an attack dog, you can’t just take off the collar and tell them to go play in the park.
So thanks, Canada. And remember to think about such practical help as can be offered when the troops get home.
the US is shipping some of our discharged special ops people up to the Great White North to go through this very effective program.
=========================
Tell them to dress warmly. Where I live it really is the Great White North today. Snowed last night.
Happy Remembrance Day, to all.
Our young men and women returning from Afghanistan today, whether wounded or not, will need all the psychological help that can be given.
My grandfather served in the Great War – Expeditionary forces; he was a sapper and to this day I don’t know what this is.
When he returned from war he was a changed person. Very disagreeable, phisically fought my grandmother. By the time my dad was 15 he threw his father out. I never knew why this happened until after my dad’s death. Went looking for my geneology and found my Grandpa’s papers. Found his side of the family and learned just how difficult the return had been on him.. He had been gassed and shell shocked which answered all my questions. He passed away in 1989 but I never knew him and my dad would never speak of him. So, as I said – these families and soldiers need all the help they can get on their return, and we must be thankful for the sacrifice that they and their families endured.
Ah, I see the RAF Lancaster was not down forever, she was down for a refit and is now back up and flying this year.
Awesome. Thanks Alby!
Now let’s go build up a Mosquito.
They died so we could later destroy the country they loved. We should hold our heads in shame not just in sympathy.
Message to Joe Molnar.
As a former Woodstonian and one who has a life-long love of it, could you please name said Pastor?
“How does one reliably measure the value of a living being!
[…}
What is so special about these men? What is so special we should remember them? They were ours. We will weep at their loss. We speculate as to what each individual might have become or contributed to this beautiful world, or his progeny, had he been spared.
What counts is being remembered and recognized.”
[…]
“Now let’s go build up a Mosquito.
Posted by: The Phantom at November 11, 2007 5:17 PM”
I know of only three in North America. One is at the Canadian Aviation Museum in Ottawa. There is a carcass of a Mosi sitting in the aviation museum in Calgary in rather rough shape. Of course being a plywood airframe one could expect no less after sitting for decades in a barn. The only other example I am aware of sits in the EAA Airventure Museum at Witman Field in Oshkosh Wisconsin.
But building a Mosquito? One can only imagine the odour of fresh cut lumber coming out from the de Havilland factory when it was pumping out wood and fabric airplanes. And lets face it, turbine engines have no character.
jypsy, a sapper is a field engineer. My grandfather was one. Although he was wounded in the “Great War”, he did manage to return to a productive life (at least as far as his young grandson could see). An interesting note was that he requested to be buried with the other vets when the time came. Some bonds are indeed lifelong…
btw, I remember seeing a certificate(discharge?) of his that described WW1 as “the war to end all wars”. If only that was so.
A young child’s Cenotaph memories:
Freezing cold.
Old men some balding chests covered with ribbons and medals.
Older men hair white hair chests covered with ribbons and medals.
Really old men leaning on sticks chests covered with ribbons and medals.
Listening to the padre telling of the old men fighting in WW2.
Listening to the padre telling of the older men fighting in WW1
Listening to the padre telling of the oldest men fighting in the Boor war.
Men of courage. Men of strength.
May God grant them peace.
jypsy
The School of Military Engineering is at CFB Gagetown, and maintains the Military Engineering Museum. If you decide to pursue the subject further, the website is at: http://www.cmemuseum.ca/index_e/index_e.htm
Cheers
This is a day on which I remember my father (part of the Omaha Beach contingent on D-Day, later fought at the Battle of the Bulge) and all the others who fought on the right side, and also all those who served but didn’t see combat. Whether a soldier, sailor, etc., saw combat was frequently a matter of chance.
Thankyou both, Texas Canuck and MJ Heinrichs The only thing I was able to find out is he did service in France and spent some time in a hospital in Scotland. As what a sapper did, I found out they defused bombs and tunneled. Just what he did, I guess I’ll never know. I will look up that website. Thankyou again.
Joe Molnar; I am so glad to hear that the turnout in Woodstock was large and that you have such a un mealy mouthed pastor. Woodstock is the birthplace of a great Canadian WWI Hero named Joe Boyle. Do you know of him? I am a great admirer of Joe Boyle as he also was a resident of the Klondike for many years. He should be legendary but he is almost unknown in Canada.
Joe Boyle would not like to think he was singled out for praise on Remembrance Day. I had many soldiers to remember at the Whitehorse cenotaph today under the brilliant blue sky. There were twelve of us there – the rest of the people were in a multiplex far from the soldiers but in a nice warm place- a mom and dad and their five children, a lady from England and myself. It gave the dozen of us a chance to remember in a very long silence and then tell each other the reasons why we came to the cenotaph outside rather than going to the brand new multiplex. It mostly boiled down to the fact that the soldiers had spent YEARS in the cold and the muck and danger and blood for our sorry hides – the least we could do was to spend an hour in the cold remembering them and thanking them for all they gave to us. BTW, it wasn’t always this way in the Yukon – we once had bands playing and proud soldiers marching right down main street on Remembrance Day. It once was a celebration day (of the best kind) and a grinding sorrowful day
(of the most heart breaking kind); like it is anywhere where people are not afraid to allow their hearts to hurt.
Thank-you, a different Bob, for the beautiful poem. It made me cry but I felt good about crying.