Lest We Forget...
Lest We Forget...
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http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1845&ncid=737&e=2&u=/cpress/20041111/ca_pr_on_na/remembrance_nurses
This message was edited Nov 11, 2004 4:44 PM
Thank you for the story.
I remember my grandad that was wounded in WWI. He was shot in the elbow, and it was forever bent at 90*. I remember my grandmother's brother who died in WWI.
I grew up on military bases, and remember the tradegies that resulted from so called peace keeping missions that our CDN military went on.
I believe that there is no benefit from armed conflict. When are people going to learn that killing each other in the name of peace doesn't work.
When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace.
Jimi Hendrix
In that case Jimi will have to wait thru many more life times I fear. We are one of God's strangest creatures. I think if some other species had thought of zoos we would be one of the feature attractions.
Donna, thanks for starting this thread. It's important.
BTW, the officer leading the parade at the national war memorial on Thursday (the one who stood in front of the Governor-General and shouted the command for the troops to give the royal salute) works across the hall from me at the military medical branch headquarters in Ottawa. He was chosen as the parade commander, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the medical branch of the Canadian Forces. He was quite nervous for the last couple of weeks, getting ready for this parade...don't tell anyone! :-) It's always stressful on parade, wondering if you're going to remember all the right commands, or screw it up somehow. Anyway, the important thing is that the whole thing was well-attended, as were many across the country, and some pointed words were said in memory of the sacrifices, and to urge us to choose a better path. Looks like we could use it now, more than ever.
It's been interesting to watch all the historical documentaries on TV this week! The CBC had a really interesting feature on the various war memorials across the country...some 1200 of them, mostly erected by groups of citizens, as opposed to governments. Seems like almost every tiny village has one, including my mom's hometown of 500 in Manitoba. On the other 364 days, we don't give them a second glance - and that's neither good nor bad IMHO, just the way of life. My dress uniform's already back in the closet until next year, knock on wood :-)
Shannon
Shannon, your neighbour across the hall did a wonderful job. I watched him on the news before we went out to our local cenataph. I was so pleased to see that the numbers at attendance was up, way up from previous years.
BC has started a new vehicle license program where vets get a new plate, saying they are vets. I'ts a blue back ground and has a poppy on it. I think it's a good thing.
Linda
That is neat. Ontario has them as well - although I'm not sure if they have to pay, or if it's free. It should be free. Quebec doesn't have any personalized plates - but I'm going to stick a little maple leaf on ours anyway! :-)
There are eight WWI veterans still alive in Canada - their average age is 103. One of them was even in attendance at the ceremony in Ottawa, all wrapped up in blankets. Amazing.