Since today’s remembrance day I thought we’d do things a bit differently. Instead of having a sponsor, I’ll personally give out the gifts. We’ll have 5 winners each getting a free $10 Gift Card from Loblaws or Superstore (or Shoppers Drug Mart if you don’t have either nearby)
How to enter the contest?
Leave a comment telling us about an interesting/touching story you heard from someone in your family who served in the military. Or tell us something interesting related to a relative who served in the military. If you didn’t have someone serve in the military, share something interesting related to remembrance day.
How the winners will be chosen
I will randomly choose 3 winners and also select the best 2 entries as winners. In total we’ll have 5 winners getting $10 Gift Card each.
Only 1 entry/comment per person please
Today is a sad day in my heart. I took a moment to respect those that had fought in the war, and to those that are presently fighting overseas.
Just as this wave of emotion pours through my heart and straight into my throat, I find out a close family member is now fighting a battle, not created by man, machine or war, but by disease.
Lest we not forget and cherish what/who you love, that are close to your heart and your beliefs.
as for a story. It is sad to say my grandfather has recentky passed away but he always had the courage to talk to us about him serving in world war two. And i dont want to get into details as it was his life but I just wanted to pass on how amazing it was to see him smiling even if he was upset telling his stories
i have no one in military but i think its very brave to choose a work that you know that your life is the price for the community prospirity
“My grandma made bombs!!!”…..sounds funny in this day and age to hear that…but while my grandpa was a pilot in the war…my grandmother and many of her friends worked in a granade plant, right here in my home town….so hard to imagine my little grandmother, who I’ve always known as an expert ‘manufacturer of baby bonnets, and hand-knit socks’ making granades…
Lest we forget all the military personal who have fought for our freedom, but also all of the others who did helped in other ways!!
Well I do not have any relatives that have been in the military. But at church every Remembrance Day our priest has a wonderful ceremony to remember our soliders. He has the bag pipers that parade down our church with those soliders who are still alive today that served in the war, and RCMP officers with Cadets and Teen Boys to represent todays youth. A wonderful touching ceremony that also includes O Canada being sung.
Lest we Forget!!!
My Uncle was involved in the Cuban missile crisis. When I was in university, we sat down and had a long conversation about what happened and how he was involved. It was one of the best conversations he and I ever had and it was a turning point in our relationship. (He had always seen me as a peacenik and I had seen him, well, as one of those military guys)
It brought us closer, in part, because I understood from him how the military could be used to maintain peace, if utilized properly. It was a good story. It was a great opportunity to learn more about him and to appreciate his service before he passed on.
Thanks for this chance to remember him.
My one grandfather was a bomber during WWII. He and his crew would take photos out of the bottom of the plane, and since the plane was not designed for this it was very dangerous. Someone held him into the plane as he snapped photos, but one time something happened and he slipped. At the last second he caught himself on the edge of the bomb bay, but injured his stomach. After the war he had to retire to a warmer climate than Toronto, and lived in southern California with his family.
My other grandfather was also injured in the war, before he went overseas. His leg was broken in an accident. In the hospital, to pass the time, soldiers were taught to smoke.
my son , who is in sea cadets , was in the remembrance day parade today. I did have 2 uncles that were in WW2 , but passed when i was young.
This is always a tough day for me as it reminds me of my father who passed away when I was 16. Even though it has been almost a decade since that day, it remains fresh in my heart and mind. My dad was a British Paratrooper during the Second World War. He lied about his age so that he would be accepted into the British Army. Whenever I hit tough spots in my life I think about the bravery and courage he needed to jump out of those planes to fight for his country and that really helps put my problems into perspective. This is the day to remember all those who have passed and those still fighting for freedom and peace.
I have a husband currently deployed and a son finishing Battle School and prepping for deployment to Afghanistan. I am certainly not the only one in this situation. I encourage all Canadians to show respect for our fallen soldiers and those that continue the fight regardless of your political views. Each soldier is a person and needs to know we love and support them.
Lest we forget, let us never forget our brave of WW 1&2 and always pause to think of our current soldiers deployed all over the world.
God rest all the souls ♥
I don’t have anyone close to me in the military, but my thoughts are with those who were or had family who were.
The Poppy is such a respectful emblem to wear, I hope everyone had theirs! Here is a link to Veterans Affairs Canada which outlines some Poppy etiquette and facts:
http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=teach_resources/poppy
My grandfather served in the military; thankfully he survived and I was able to have him as part of my life. Although he has seen unimaginable things (I will not go into the stories of course, but you can imagine!) and has lost dear friends, he tells me stories of the positive things that he has taken with him from being in the war. He was a strong man that loved the country very much. He was always putting others before himself and clearly so in making the ultimate sacrifice. I’m proud to say that he is my grandfather and has made a difference in people’s lives. He has now passed away but I will remember him always and I give thanks to other veterans for everything they have done and continue to do in the community. -Lest We Forget-
My grandfather was a part of the Winnipeg Grenadiers during the Second World War. He joined up when he was sixteen, annoyed that his mother had given away his hockey skates. When she found out, she went down to the office to have him removed, as he was underage. Stubborn, he went back and signed up again, so she let him go. He was raised in a French community and spoke no English before he enlisted.
During training, he had a tattoo put on his forearm identifying him as a machine gunner. Big mistake.
Well, he was taken prisoner in Hong Kong and spent the better part of four years in a prisoner of war camp. For the most part, the prisoners were given rice to eat,and were subjected to terrible abuse by guards. He and the other men used to pick up discarded orange peels dropped by officers in order to get some vitamin C into their diets. He worked doing forced labour in a foundry during the war, and, along with other men, would catch and kill rats and boil them in the water that had been used to cool the metal. Their diet was so restricted that the “richness” of the rat meat would make them sick. They hoped that they were getting some nutrition from the meat regardless.
As for the tattoo he had so proudly worn, he had to keep it covered with a bandage for much of his time as a prisoner. Machine gunners had killed so many Japanese soldiers that he feared that his captors would kill him outright.
When my grandfather was liberated and returned to Canada, he weighed about 86 pounds. He was about six feet tall. They wanted to amputate his feet (they had been smashed by a guard’s rifle butt and had major infection and circulation problems), but he refused. They said he’d die if they didn’t remove them, but he managed to live until his late seventies.
He met my grandmother at the veteran’s hospital. Despite already being engaged to another man, she was in love with soldiers, and my grandfather had a certain twinkle…
They married, but on their wedding day, he ended up getting confetti in his eye, getting sick (as a result of all the infection he had), and returned to the hospital that night. The men at the hospital teased him about my grandmother being too much for him!
I personally love this poem, in fact I cry whenever I read it so I wanted to share this…
It’s the soldier, not the reporter who has given us
Freedom of the Press.
It’s the soldier, not the poet, who has given us
Freedom of Speech.
It’s the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the
Freedom to Demonstrate.
It’s the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the
Right to a Fair Trial.
It’s the soldier who salutes the flag, serves under the flag and
whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who gives the protestor the right to burn the flag.
~Father Dennis Edward O’Brien, USMC
Being at our local small town remembrance day service today was extremely touching. Even though I don’t have a relative that fought in the war it was definitely something that I am honor to go and participate in. To see all those that fought for out country, to hear that names of those who lost there lives and to hear the last post it was very emotional for me to be standing there…thinking to myself “thank you soo much for all those who risks their lives for our country”
My grandfather who passed away a few years ago was in the military,I’m not sure what he did back then but I do know he did serve in WW2. I myself am part of the military I am a Army Cadet and every year we partake in the Rememberance Day Ceremonies here. Today was good we had more people turn up at Harbour Station than we did last year. I am so glad that more peole are showing up to show respect for those who have served our country. I even have my childern who are 10 and 7 get involved too at home every year they have their 2 minutes of silence at 11am and they do it faithful every year even though I am not home and they are home with a babysitter.
My father, who passed over a year ago, always said that his father who went off to war, was not the same man who came back. Whether he meant this as emotionally not the same man, I can only image that one would be changed having experienced that, or whether he meant physically not the same man, I will never know the true answer to this.
Rest in peace all those we have cherished and lost.
I had two uncles who served in WW2 one I got to know very well over the years & the other lost his life overseas & I never did get to meet him. I only have pictures & a few stories my father told me of him. My other uncle never talked about his time fighting for our country so I really have no stories to tell. One thing I know you have to respect & appreciate what they have done for us!
I don’t think I really have any military family stories..
I found out after my grandfather passed away in 2003 that he was a sniper during WW2 and the Korean war. Which I told my dad was “cool” he looked insulted but I meant it in the way that someone in my family was apart of history.
There are so many questions I have now that I wish I could have asked him about many things, including the war [it could’ve helped me better understand how one would feel in his situation than; it would’ve helped me as a writer]
But I don’t pry amongst my family, as much as I want to know about my granddads military life. For sure I know he was a handsome devil! A framed photo of him overseas during the war including his war medals hangs in my grandmother’s house.
I don’t support wars but I do support our military. They need and deserve it.
Funny.. I’ve blocked out my ENTIRE school years, everything.. yet.. I remember every detail about history class that involved the war [it facsinates not in a morbid way just.. hard to explain] and the “In Flander’s Fields” poem is forever etched in my memory. I recite all or 1 verse whenever asked yet I can’t remember my higher multiplications without thinking for longer than a minute [haha, yes I’m blonde ^.^]
Well, to start off. I hope everyone took the time to remember people who fought for us in the war, All the vetrenes and soilders. I think everyone should wear a poppy in remembrace of people who died for us 🙁
Lest we forget all the people who fought for our freedom, but also to everyone who took the time to remember this very important day in our lives. I think its a great idea that that people and communitys come together and remember everyone. Happy Remembrance Day Everyone 🙂
I work with Veteran’s on a daily basis and I get to hear some of their stories every once in awhile when they feel like talking about it. One of the stories comes from a vet who was fighting at the front lines in WW2. He said there was a moment of calm between the Canadians and the Nazis…and to this day he would never know which side started it, but he heard someone whistling the tune “Lili Marlene”. Eventually he heard members of his batallion and members of the “enemy force” humming the tune. I can only imagine what that would have sounded like.
Thank you for our freedom!
I don’t have a personal story in regards to this. But I think an important aspect of Remembrance Day is to be reminded of the sacrifices people made to get to where we are today.
I have a brother in-law in the military and every time i hear of a soldier passing away in the line of duty my heart breaks.
Hope everyone remembers today our past and present men and women in the military.
Please wear a poppy and wear it proud.
My husbands great uncle was Hank “Big Train” Birkland and was an instrumental member in the Great Escape Attempt. He was one of the diggers and sadly, was one of the 50 shot dead after being recaptured. The Canadian P.O.W.’s played very important roles in that event but many have never heard their stories. If you get a chance…watch “The Great Escape – Canadian Story” on the History Channel, it’ll be on Nov 12 at 9am. It’s a very touching retelling of History from a Canadian perspective featuring family members of P.O.W.s.
Rememberance day holds two meanings for me. My grandfather Brake served in a MASH unit in the Korean War. I don’t remember him since he passed away in November of 1981, I was only 9 months old. I do however remember watching MASH on tv with my parents and them telling me stories of how pop watched it religiously. No one was allowed to make a sound when it was on.
The second reason Rememberance day holds a place in my heart is that my granfather Maynard passed away 19 years ago today. He got up in the morning and passed away suddenly while getting dressed. I was only 10 years old.
I think everyone should watch this video, It brings tears to my eyes everytime I see it. Terry Kelly has an amazing voice and the words are fantastic. This actually happened to him and it inspired him to write a song about it. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kX_3y3u5Uo
I don’t know anyone in the military but I do thank all those who have served and who are serving our country. It is a great sacrifice for all of us.
My Great Grandfather & Uncle served in the military, but I don’t know any stories as they passed when I was very young!
I’m so proud to be Canadian & respect the soldiers for all they do to keep us safe & fought & died for our Freedoms.
Two years ago we attended a Remembrance Day ceremony for a local boy (21yrs) who passed away in Afghanistan even though we didn’t know him personally & wanted to pay our respects.
As I remember the soldiers I also think of my Dad who passed away 2yrs ago tomorrow….so its a hard day too.
Also today is my sisters Birthday!
Not a day goes by that I don’t think of the soldiers serving overseas & I don’t know anyone personally thats in the military, but I still pray everyday for their safety & that they come home asap!
It breaks my heart to hear that another young soldier has passed away…far too young…
CarlyinCanada
My great uncle served in the Dutch underground during WW2. He was betrayed by one of his own countrymen and was put in prison. Shortly after that he was made to dig his own grave and was executed into it. It’s sobering to think this happened not that long ago.
My grandfather was in WWII, but to be honest I didn’t know him too well. Sadly our cottages were directly across from each other and some summers I saw him nearly every day.
As he aged and became lonely my grandfather took up drinking as his way to erase the horrid memories. Unfortunately this put a damper on his relationship with his son, my father. They never got along in my grandfathers last 10 or so years. We were basically discouraged from even talking to him, as every conversation would lead to him complaning about my father. they both had nothing nice to say about each other and they way he was raised (in a military family).
Anyways, enough with the bad, it wasn’t until my grandfather passed away in 2004 from liver failure that I saw a different side of my father. My grandfather had veterans / legion funeral. He was a big part in fund raising a trip for the local cadets, prior to his passing, to go visit Vimy Ridge where he had fought.
At his funeral service several of the young cadets spoke for him. My grandfather had went with these young men to Vimy Ridge. It was during one of there speeches, when the cadet was telling of how he considered my grandfather to be like a grandfather to him, that I finally saw my father shed a tear for the lose of his father. He will always be remembered a s a harsh man with a soft side I never had the pleasure of getting to know.
I don’t have anyone in military but I learned from Wikipedia that It is observed on 11 November to recall the end of World War I on that date in 1918 (major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of the Armistice). In Russia we remember veterance on May 9th. the end of Second World War for Russia.
I don’t have a military story but Remembrance day is a great opportunity for people to reflect and be thankful of what we have to today because of those sacrifices.
My Grandfather on my mother’s side served in WWII. He was shot in the war but fortunately was able to return home. He was able to fight for or freedom as so many others are currently.
Thank you to all those who fought and serve our country.
I had a great uncle who parachuted out of a plane only to be shot in the air as he was decending. I wasn’t born, I never met him. My Mom gets choked up when she talks about him, she loved him very much and still misses him.
Both my grandfathers were in WW11. My paternal grandfather (British) was a chef and one of the places he ended up in was Norway. Imagine his surprise when I met and married a Norwegian in 1980. They shared some stories about Norway and the people. How small the world seemed then and that was BEFORE the internet.
The story of my maternal grandfather (Canadian) is not a happy one. He was taken prisoner and was a POW in Hong Kong for 6 years. He, like the others came back broken men with broken spirits. His marriage to my grandmother soon ended and my Mother never saw her Dad again. He died when I was 15, it saddens me about his life and I am sad that I never got to meet him, as I would have liked to very much.
Our hearts go to the the fallen, the ones that are away, and the ones that will soon be deployed. God Bless you and protect you. You are in our prayers!!!
Not sure how many Canadians know this, but..
On a day when the majority is celebrating Canada Day, this nation’s birthday, Newfoundland is remembering the Battle of the Somme at Beaumont-Hamel. In Newfoundland, July 1st is Memorial Day, a day dedicated to commemorating Newfoundland Regiment members who were killed in World War I. The Battle of the Somme lasted 30 minutes and almost wiped out the entire Regiment.
A best-friend that I grew up with, died about two years ago in Afghanistan from a road side bombing. I had to hear about his death while watching the news. I hate war, and hope that this Afghan war will end soon. I now not only make a point to wear a poppy, but also a peace sign button.
My Grandfather died when I was quite young so I missed the opportunity to get to know him and hear about his experiences during WW2.
However, my family was recently given an amazing opportunity to get to know another gentleman who served during that time. We moved into a new house in a new town and got to meet our housebound elderly neighbor. We would offer to help him out occasionally and then have a little chat. I was amazed when he spoke of his wartime experiences. He fought at Juno Beach and had his helmet shot off. He fought the rest of the war without a helmet! He is an incredible man but most incredible is his willingness to share these experiences with us.
I want to start off by saying that I think that it is simply amazing to see Remembrance Day has continued through to generations that were never directly affected by either WWI or WWII (or any subsequent wars), such as myself, being born in 1989. Remembrance Day has always been a special day in my family; unfortunately this will be the first that we will be spending without my Grandfather, who passed away earlier this year. Every time I hear “The Last Post” it sends chills down my spine and makes me tremble to even begin to imagine what every man and woman who has fought and/or died for this great country has gone through.
Lest we forget!
my grandfather was a vetern of WWII. He was lucky enough to survive his service, but suffered a severe injury to the leg. i was only very young before he passed away but our family is always sure to share the stories that he told to my parents over the years.
one tidbit of info that he shared that i will never forget is that they used coke as an agent to shine thier brass, it has always made me wonder about the ingredients in coke :).
Lest we forget and all practice atleast a moment of silence to pay tribute to those passed and those present who risk their lives for the betterment of all of us.
My mother’s uncle was a young boy during WW1 and while picking firewood one day with his brothers (my grandfather included), a mine went off and a piece of shrapnel embedded itself in his forehead. Thankfully, he did survive but he does have a scar down the middle of his forehead (45 degree angle).
My heart goes out to the soldiers who faught and continue to fight for peace. God bless them & their loved ones for the sacrifice they make each & every day. Euphoria is a world without war of any kind!
My grandfather, Alphonse, was a soldier in the French Army during WW2. He was taken prisoner by the nazis and sent out to a farm in Silesia (Now Poland) as a day worker. When he arrived at the farm, he was sick, and was on the brink of death. The farmer and his family took care of him, gave him medication, food and a bed to sleep in, eventhough they could have been arrested for being kind to someone from the “other side”. They treated him like their own brother.
Long story short, as the end of the war approached, the farm was taken over by the Russian army. The family who lived there had to abandon everything and flee, and my grandfather stayed behind to make sure the farm was not destroyed. One of the daughter stayed back with him and they ended up getting married and coming back to France in 1946. My grandmother, Magdalena (Madeleine) did not know if her family was alive or dead and only found one of her sister years later, by chance. Her sister helped her reconnect with her parents and her other siblings.
On November 11th, I celebrate the people on all sides who risked their lives to help strangers and who fought to end the war. Thank you to the US and Canadian soldiers who crossed the ocean to help my family and the families of millions of Europeans. We will never forget.
My grandfather served in WW2 and was wounded at Dieppe and his best friend died beside him. He never talked about his days at war; the memories were just too awful for him. He has been gone for almost 2 1/2 years now, and I miss him so much.
I don’t have any interesting story about remembrance day, I’m a new immigrant to Canada.
I don’t personally know anyone who served in the military but I would like to take the time to thank any one that took the time out of their lives to serve for this great country. I’ve always loved to go to parliament hill on this day to watch the memorial they give.
Remembrance day is a special day that allows us to honor the veterans who fought for our freedom and are still fighting for our freedom. I have a cousin serving in Afghanstan and it is important for us to give thanks for these selfless acts that our military has done for us. Lest we forget.
My grandfather spent his life serving our country. He joined before he was legally able (this was not unheard of at the time) and after the war stayed in the Air Force because he loved the life. His father and grandfather had fought in WW1 and also lost several uncles to the war.
I haven’t strayed far from the life either, marrying a man in the military who has served for the last 21 years. I’ve even entertained the idea of joining myself.
My Papa served in WW2 and he passed away earlier this year and it makes today that much more sombre around my house. Ever since I was little my Papa would tell me stories of him and his friends and how they didn’t all make it back. I am just so happy that he was one of the “lucky” ones. My husband’s Opa also served in WW2 but for the opposite side, I have only met him a few times (they live in Mexico) but the one story I remember him telling was how he and his wife met as she was a nurse for the injuried. It is neat how my family will have souvineers from both sides of the war.
I have a few family members in the U.S. that served in WWII. My grandfather (whom passed in December of last year) served as well as 2 of his 3 brothers. My grandfather was an engineer in WWII and helped to service airplanes. He was based on the island of Ie Shima off Okinawa Island. He told me the stories about he and a few others tried to invent a way to give people “hot” showers and how they took film from broken cameras to use in their cameras. Among many other stories…. However, one of my grandfather’s brothers died in WWII and nobody new much about how or when he died. When my grandfather passed in December, my brother inherited a gift that was sent by my grandfather’s brother in the war. He was one of the first to go over. There were also letters that came with the item and I decided to do some research. Here is what I found out about my grandfather’s brother: Jarvis Kapplinger….
Corporal Jarvis Max Kapplinger, service No 270487, USMC, was a member of the 4th Marine, F Company in the battle for the defense of Corregidor. He was surrendered by General Wainwright in the first week of May, 1942 when the Japanese were able to land tanks and flamethrowers onto the beaches of the island.
He remained on the island for approximately 22 days- held in the 92nd Maintenance garage area. He was thence transported by barge to the shore of Manila and forced to swim the last hundred yards to the beach. All the POWS were forced to march through the city to “show the power” of Japan.
He remained overnight at the Bilibid Prison then shipped by train the next day to Cabanatuan POW Camp, forced marched the last dozen miles.,
He remained here until mid-October 1944 when he was sent on a slave labor draft back to Bilibid. He was placed on the Arisan Maru.
The hellship was torpedoed on 24 October 1944 and the six survivors told how the Japanese locked the hatches so the men could not escape. They did manage to get out after one hold was filled with water and all the men drowned. A suicide detachment of Japanese soldiers was overtaken but the ship was fatally wounded and slowly sank. All the other men were lost at sea as the Japanese made no effort to save any of the POWS… in fact, murdering those they could see with rifle fire.
“Max” is memorialized on the wall of the missing in Manila. His state of residency upon enlisting was shown as Michigan but he listed his home as Lubbock TX. His next of kin were listed as:
Mr & Mrs William Kapplinger, Rt 2, Clare MI.
I am elated that with the help of a kind gentleman at a research centre in the U.S. I’ve been able to find information on Jarvis and have since purchased a few books about some of the events that Jarvis was a part of to better undstand what he went through for more than 3 years….
Thank you for reading my entry.
My husband served six months in Afghanistan. My sister in-law also went for six months. My brother did ten times 56 days. I also do volunteer support calls to families whose sons or husbands are away at the moment.
None of our heroes had any relation to me, but still, on this day, I remember and wear my poppy.
At my school today, there was an opportunity to write a postcard to a soldier currently fighting in another country. It’s a small token of gratitude, but when so many people are giving support, it’s just all that much greater. I was surprised at how long the line-ups for the postcards were, but all the same I wrote on. I didn’t know who I was writing to, so the address for where it would be sent was filled in for me. It’s just great to see so many people who are so willing to give support.
okay so i have two stories i just have to share I cant choose between them lol first is sort of a funny one but amazing none the less…I can honestly say I would not be here today if it were not for a pig!!
My grandfather fought in several countries during the war and during one trip he and the rest of the men with him were sheltered in a little shack where pigs lived. At one point gunfire broke out around them so they began to hide at the sides of the shack as to not be seen. Well they kept their rations in their backpacks and as they sat there a pig began to try and get into my grandfathers rations in his backpack well my grandpa lifted his helmet up sort of in front of his head to shoo the pig and right as he did it a bullet struck dead centre into his helmet. So had the pig not tried to get into the backpack he never would have lifted his helmet and he would have been shot dead directly in the head. My grandfather loves telling that story and we all love to hear it!
As for the other story I think it is so touching. My grandmother was a war bride from Scotland. My grandfather met her while in his travels during the war. My grandmothers family however was extremely poor. So one year during the holidays my grandmothers family barely had enough food for one person let alone a full holiday meal for a family (and she was one of like 5 sisters plus her parents!) so my grandfather waited till feeding time was over on base and he scrounged up all sorts of nuts and fruit and meats and veggies and packed them in a big duffle bag and snuck off base to my grandmothers house and just laid out the bag for them to open and they had never seen so much food in thir lives, sweetest thing I have ever heard..my grandfather pretty much makes chivalry look dead lol My grandparents were a true love story and I love to hear that story to remind myself that true love does exist!
My grandfather was called to serve way back when he was young for the Canadian military. We don’t know too much because he was never willing to talk about it afterwards, but I can only imagine how grueling and difficult such an experience could be on one’s life, changing it forever. Times were tough overseas as well as back home and both my grandpa, on the war front and my grandma home managing four kids without any surety that her husband was going to come home were both very courageous
I don’t know anyone that served in the military but my heart goes out to all who lost a loved one.
This is the day that i remember all the brave men and women who over the decades have fought for us so courageously, and for those who lost their lives in battle. It is with gratitude that I salute them all. Thank-you!
My great grandfather was a medical officer in Glamis castle which is north of England.
My great uncle served in Dieppe He unfortunately had a severe case of ‘shell shock’ or post traumatic stress disorder. It was so bad that everytime there was a thunderstorm he would hide under a table and cry.
I can’t imagine the daily stress of being at war and potentially loosing your life or the life of a close friend. Or even being the parent of a soldier living with the silent agony of wondering if your child will be fine or if you will ever see him or her again.
These things we take for granted. We take one day out of the whole year to remember those who have faught and died, and those who continue to fight. Today, and every day out of the year, we need to remember the sacrifices that these couragous people have given for us and thank them.
I don’t know anybody in the military, but I do think it’s important that we all take the time to remember those that fought in the war.
Hi don’t have any stories I can think of but I would like to share my experience from Today. I just moved to Nova Scotia from Ontario and today was a holiday and everything was closed here…even wal-mart. There was a large gathering of people in the town square(more people than I think live in the town)for the memorial service. It was very touching. Remembrance day had more meaning for me today.
I don’t know anyone that served in the military. But I think today gives us an opportunity to remember and pay respect to those who fought for this country and provide us with this safe and peaceful land we are living right now.
I don’t know any veterans personally but I love those poppy flower pins. I do buy it every year for the past 16 years. Every year, I had to buy 3-4 during the two week period, since I lose it in a day or two. I never minded getting few as the funds go to veterans. I have tried all the creative ways to make sure that I pin it properly. But I am not successful yet. If I have not learnt it in 17 years I doubt I will learn it in future.
My grandpa fought in World War 2. He used to tell us stories of his time in the war, and we thought they were cool! The truth is he was haunted by his time in the war- he had nightmares about it for his WHOLE life! My dad said he used to scream every night.
The story I most remember, is his telling us how his ship was attacked and sank. My Pop and 2 others hung on to debris left from the ship for 2 days until they were rescued! Like I said earlier, I always thought his stories were “cool” but now that I’m older I realize how close it was for him, and how many, many, many others were not so lucky.
Sometimes I think about how if my Pop didn’t make it, my family would not exist! That’s pretty deep!
Now that my grandpa has died I wish I had asked more questions, learned more, but it’s too late for that. I will never forget the sacrifice that he and so many others have made. I am so PROUD to be a Canadian!
My grandpa lived in a tiny town in Newfoundland, and loved gardening. He always had Poppies in his garden, and now over the years the wind has spread the seeds, and all over our little town Poppies grow! I love seeing them, I know my Pop planted them, I know they represent all of our fallen soldiers, and they make sure that nobody forgets!
This is the second time my husband has been away for Remembrance Day while deployed in Afghanistan. I am very proud of him and all of our friends that are serving there and in other places all over the world. I hope that everyone stays safe over the next six months and can not wait for my husband to be home with me again.
At the age of 17 my grandfather enrolled in the army, then he was sent to Germany during the World war. He did not get killed but he did get injured and many of his friends were not so lucky. My husband is currently in the Miltary and was deployed overseas, with 2 small children today was very diffuclt. My heart goess out to all the familys and friends of fallen soilders. RIP
Remembrance day always reminds me of my grandparents and great grandparents. My family immigrated here from Germany after the WWII. Prior to that my great grandfather and great aunt died in WWI. My grandfather worked at an ammo plant during WWII and had to move 4 hours away from his family. He also had to go on the rooftop of the apartment building he lived in to defuse a bomb. No matter where a person’s family comes from, the wars affected them. War is a sad thing and cause a lot of grief and loss. However, in some ways there are gains.
On remembrance day I also think of other family members and friends that I have lost too early in life for various reasons. For me remembrance day remind me of lots of people and hopefully it gives people time to remember and reflect on all loved ones. Those with us still and those who have left us.
My brother is serving in the Canadian Air Force. He has been stationed all over the country as well as overseas. I am very proud of him.
I don’t have any war stories, but I’d like to share this…
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
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.
— Lt.-Col. John McCrae (1872 – 1918)
I am an immigrant to Canada so do not know of any relative that served in the army. The moment that lives in my memory about this day is when my 5 yr old son came from the school last year on this day and briefed me about why we remember those who laid their lives for our country. It was a moment of pride to see how immportant a young boy thinks is to have an independent country. He was the person who told me about the significance of poppies on this day — I am so proud of being a Canadian and so proud of our educational system which instills in young minds the importance of a free country.
Remembrance Day always reminds me of Elementary school, when the entire school would be squished into the gym for the assembly, sitting on the cold floor in the dark. Taking 2 minutes of silence at work in my cubicle with all the lights on just isn’t the same, but important nonetheless 🙂
Hi:
I come from a family with a military background: my great-grandpa was in WWI and my grandpa was in WWII. When my father was a young man, he also signed up for the military. He was slated to become a fighter pilot and the first stop in his training was going to be held at Royal Roads Military College in Victoria B.C. .My grandpa was proud that he would follow in his footsteps. Sadly my dad caught pneumonia and was hospitalized for over 6 months and he never followed through due to his health and circumstances. My grandpa was disappointed but life goes on…Well, my grandpa didn’t live to see this roughly 40 years later but I knew he was with me the day I graduated from Royal Roads University in 2006.
It is unfortunate that not enough is done or taught in schools for Remembrance Day but the schools do have Remembrance Day assemblies in the morning. Our local legion sponsored contests for students to write stories or poems, or make posters in honour of Remembrance Day. My daughter wrote a touching poem and won a contest at our local Legion when she was in middle school. She framed the poem and put a poppy inside the frame too.
My great grandfather was in WWII and never returned back home leaving behind a wife and two girls, my grandmother was 3 years old at that time and has very few memories of her father. It took over 50 years to find out what happened to him.
My grandfather fought in WWII and was actually a POW in Europe. I remember how he would never eat onions or potatoes because that was all he ate while being a POW…he passed away 20 years ago, but I still remember his stories about the war. Ti amo nonno.
My grandfather died in the war, so I’m wearing a poppy for him. I didn’t get to see him, only knew him through stories from my parents
My father served in the korean war and world war 11. He was such a brave soldier, he was shot in the leg in the korean war, i used to love listening to war stories from him when i was younger. My father passed away, at 49, 35 years ago when i was 15 years old i have a tear in my eye just writing this. i am so proud to be a canadian and remember all of our fallen soliers on this special day. In memory of Sgt. Stan Rogers SB139153. Love you and miss you dad forever.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
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.
– John McCrae
I remember when I was in elementary school, for Remembrance Day, our teachers would choose a couple of students from each grade in my school to read the poem, “In Flanders Fields” during the school assembly. I think it’s such a simple and moving poem that even young kids can understand the meaning. Now a days, as an adult, whenever I hear that poem, it reminds me of how thankful I am for those who sacrificed their lives to give us all freedom.
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
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.
My grandfather lied about his age, was not 18, to enroll in the Canadian Military.
He felt that he should serve his country during World War II.
He was sixteen years old and felt that he was CALLED.
He was on a military boat across the ocean to be active in the war when the war was declared over.
He never participated in active front line duty but I am still so very proud of him. It have been 27 years since he passed…but to only imagine at such a young age that a young many from southwestern Ontario would decide to enroll.
I know that he is not the only man that did this….but he is my Grampe and I am still so very proud of him.
I have worked with seniors for some time. One rough and tough old man, Glen, once softened up enough to tell me the story of “I guess someone must have been watching over me”. He was overseas fighting in the war (unfortunately the exact place eludes my mind). His brother was also overseas, but they were in different units and never saw each other.
One night Glen went for a rare night out with his comrades to watch a movie. There were two theaters across the street from each other and as he was waiting on the street in line to enter, who should appear but his brother. Of course this was extremely rare, being a world away from home to have run into his brother so he wanted to spend some time with him. His brother had already seen the movie in the one theater so they decided to go across the street to the other theater. Glen made plans to meet the rest of his team after the movies as they all decided to stay with their orignial movie choice. Half way through the movie that Glen and his brother were watching, they heard a loud noise—a bomb. They ran out into the street with the rest of the movie-goers and looked across the street. Where there had stood a theater only an hour before was a pile of rubble.
I have been fortunate enough to care for many veterans and have heard numerous stories from them, it is hard to even begin to fathom what those boys went through for our freedom. I watched the Canadian ceremony this morning (the one prince Charles, camilla and stephan harper attended) and was in tears watching as the cameras scanned the faces of those heros. If it wasnt for them, who knows where we all would be.
I don’t have any family members that served in the army/military but I was fortunate enough to live in France for 3 years. I took the opportunity to visit Juno beach where Canadians landed during D-Day during WW2. Even today you can still see German bunkers and capsized boats left on the beaches. I also visited Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery near Caen in Normandy where many Canadians sacrificed their lives during the Battle of Normandy. I remember reading soldier’s names on the tombstones and took special notice of how many were actually nameless. The feeling you experience when visiting these places is nothing but special and unique, and I don’t think I’ll ever be as proud as I felt that day to be Canadian!
Two very special people brought into my life by an ex-boyfriend who currently serves in our Armed Forces, were directly involved with military efforts. The gentleman in this couple served our country in Korea and returned home from the efforts after numerous years to raise his children. Later in life he met a wonderful woman. Both of them served the vets through the Streetsville Legion. They gave of themselves selflessly for decades. When health started to fail for both of them, they still delivered gifts to vets, provided the disabled with support and company, spent days delivering poppies and counting the endless change from the poppy fund, supported the social activities at the Legion and faithfully participated in Remembrance activities. The woman I mention also made sure a local vet in the same nursing home as her beloved husband, was involved in any activities they were. She ensured the nursing home residents had a new flag when theirs was torn and arranged for the local Pipe Band to perform for the residents at Christmas. I remember, both of these selfless people who left us this year. I miss and love you both so much.
I remember the families, loved ones and supports to our troops.
I attended a assembly yesterday at my Daughters High school for Remembrance Day. The students who took part made an enormous effort and it was/is appreciated by those who attended. With that being said, it would of been nice to see more Parents attend. Last year, my Son wrote an essay about the fallen Canadian Soldiers in the Afghanistan Mission. It earned him an “A” but more than that it made him realize what sacrifices were and are made for Human Rights.
I don’t exactly have a story related to family. But I used to work in the housekeeping department at the hospital. But I also had to be recruited to the vetran’s ward (not really a hospital, but they always had nurses on hand, and the men weren’t sick). I had met a few elderly men in the four years I worked there occasionally. I even had a “buddy” who asked for me when I wasn’t scheduled. He and I had a few good long chats, not necessarily about the war, but about everything in general. I once asked the nurses when his birthday was, and carried his box of chocolates (he loved chocolates) and a birthday card from his “little newfie friend” (me). As soon as his family left for the night (I was always doing 4PM-11PM shifts), I went in and gave him his card. A few months later, I ended up quitting that job, and I have always thought about him since… wondering how he’s doing. But I’ve moved to a different province now, so I guess there’s no real way of telling.
That’s my story.
“Real Men Do Cry”
This letter was sent from my great-grandfather James Martin, to my grandfather Russel Martin on January 1, 1945. The message is incredibly touching. It allowed me to know the heart of a man that only exists in old family photographs.
“Dear Russel,
I hope you had a nice Christmas. Did you get my money order?
I wish I had the power to write the thoughts wedged in my heart tonight. As I sit here thinking of you and wondering how and where you are—Russ–it’s a funny thing how close a war can bring a family who for years with pride has kept emotion deep inside.
I’m sorry that when you were small, I let reserve build up that wall. I told you real men never cried so that you soon went back to play.
But we were men—men don’t embrace. Now suddenly, I find my son, a full grown man, with childhood done. Tonight you’re far from home and waging war for men like me. Well somehow pride and what is right just doesn’t seem to go tonight. I find my eyes won’t stay quite dry. I find that sometimes men do cry. And if we stood here face-to-face, I’m afraid we’d find men do embrace.
You probably wonder why I write words like the above. Today I met Lt. Obortias who was flying heavy bombers on the mission. Jim was escorting and Obortias talked to the wing-man following Jim. The wing man saw Jim crash into a mountainside at a speed of 400mph. He said Jim did not have a chance to survive.
Russ, I write you the above to tell you to be careful. Do not be too eager to get into scraps. Play safe.
Snow, snow, snow. You can’t imagine. I have not taken the chains off for over two-weeks. Your car is working fine. It was hard starting after you left. I took it down to Phillips Garage. The distributor had to be overhauled. It starts ok. It’s working fine. Also, two good tires on the back. I got them at the Gulf Station in Shannon.
Yours for a Happy New Year,
Dad
The ladies of Pubnico (a small village in Nova Scotia where I live) were making quilts for the men in the war. Each lady would stitch their name on the quilt they had made after it was finished. When blankets were being handed out, imagine how surprised a man was when he saw his mom’s name stitched on the quilt of the man bunking next to him. What are the chances? Anyone of the thousands of men could have gotten that quilt. Amazing.
I texted a few people this morning to ask if they took a couple minutes of silence. Surprisingly only ONE person had. I have a few relatives whom I have never met serve in the army in the past but none that I know personally. I still feel people should respect everyone who fought for us, and I was quite disappointed and even sad that my responses were not the same from all. Everyone who I talked to this morning I think could have spared 2 minutes of the whole year to pay some respects. I sure did.
Since I’ve been with my husband, the reality of being a veteran has become much more real. His mother (87yo) and father (90yo), both still living, served in WWII. His father was a Canadian tank mechanic and his mother was a Welsh nurse who met overseas in wartime (and got married quickly!) When we visit them, which is often, it always includes a trip to the local Legion to visit with his fellow vets and listen to them catch up. Seeing pictures of his dad in his uniform up on the walls there makes it all seem very close and much easier to imagine those times.
A big thank you to all our vets, old and young.
My grandparents were in england during the second world war. Neither one fought but both contributed. Gpa was an engineer and was working during the war effort and gma volunteered with the ambulance crews. They have told me stories of bomb shelters and bombs going off down the street. I can’t imagine what it would have been like, but I do know that if the armed forces hadn’t been there then my grandparents wouldn’t be telling me these stories today. I’m very grateful for what the soldiers did and I’m grateful for the current members for protecting the grandparents of future generations!
My grandfather who was 102 when he passed away lived through two World Wars, and three centuries. He had many stories to tell of the stark differences between the two wars, and the many changes to life in general. He was one of the oldest living graduates (if not the oldest!) of Queen’s University Engineering Program when he passed away.
Although I do not personally know anyone who has fought, I will be forever grateful to all of those who have for the sacrifices they have made.
A hero is someone who has given his or her life for something bigger than oneself. (Joseph Campbell)
I personally do not have anyone close to me that fought in the war, but I do have a grandfather who lived through that era as a child, and he would tell me of the hard times.
But even during elementary school, we would take a moment of silence at 11 on 11-11 to honour those who did fight for our freedom today. Let us give thanks and not forget their courageous and selfless acts.
So many great stories posted here. It is great to know that so many remember.. and hopefully this continues forever, and we all never forget the sacrifices of all who have served this great country of ours! Thank you to all who have served and our currently serving!!
I remember my Nan telling me of a dream she had about her son (my Dad) that his ship sank. She received a letter shortly after requesting some undercolthing. Apparently, his ship was hit and he lost all his stuff but no lives were lose and the ship stayed afloat. Wasn’t the first eerie tale she told us.
My paternal great grandfather served in WW1. He was injured in his leg by shrapnel. 43rd Cameron Highlanders of Winnipeg, Regimental No. 151578. I’m very grateful that he came home, and I got to know him as a young child before he died. Thank you to all the soldier, past, present and future for fighting for our country! Such brave hearts and souls.
Lest We Forget. They shall not grow old as we who are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them…
My mother was a child in Amsterdam during the war. 4 years ago, I went back with her to Amsterdam to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Liberation of the country by the Canadian soldiers. I met so many vets and heard their stories and the stories of the vets that gave their life there. I closed my eyes and thought of them and prayed.
Lest we forget…..
Hi,
My grandfather on my dad’s side served in the military during the second world war. He actually met my grandmother during the war. My grandfather fought for Poland and my grandmother lived in Germany – so they were essentially from opposing sides. Ever since I could remember they would sit me and my brother down and tell us stories about the state of the world at that time and how they met and how dangerous it was for them.
Even to this day my father will tell my brother (now 27) and myself (30) stories of my grandfather in the war. The one that sticks out to me the most is why my dad never wore his wedding ring (my brother and I always asked him why). My father told us it was because during the war my garndfather and his comrads were trying to escape getting captured. They were on a train and hanging on and were jumping off when the guards weren’t looking. My father said my grandfather’s friend jumped off and his ring got caught and tore off his finger. Since then my grandfather and father never wore their rings as they worked in trades with their hands and didn’t want to risk injury.
These stories make up my childhood memories as well as current family dinners when my father reminisces about the past.
I was able to go to Auschwitz, in Poland, 4 years ago to visit the site. That really meant alot to me seeing as it realtes to my family history. Seeing the camps and pictures really touched me deeply as it is part of my heritage.
K
this quote is from the novel -Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
Dear John has a pretty formulaic plot. Although Sparks is one of the first to set the age old boy meets girl love story in the modern, post-9/11 world, he does not delve into how the war affects the characters or go very deep in this area. In [i[Dear John, it could be any war keeping them apart. This specific war is not important.
When I think of you and me and what we shared, I know it would be easy for others to dismiss our time together as simply a by-product of the days and nights spent by the sea, a “fling” that, in the long run, would mean absolutely nothing. That’s why I don’t tell people about us. They wouldn’t understand, and I don’t feel the need to explain, simply because I know in my heart how real it was. When I think of you, I can’t help smiling, knowing that you’ve completed me somehow. I love you, not just for now, but for always, and I dream of the day that you’ll take me in your arms again.
-Dear John by Nicholas Sparks
I don’t have anybody serving the military or did. But I take the time to appreciate and remember the ones who fought for us, for a better future. Lest We Forget.
Thank you for doing this, it’s much appreciate on a day like today. My grandfather fought in the war and we’re visiting with him today after his ceremonies.
Thank you again.
I have always loved the song “Remembrance Day,” written by Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance and sung by Bryan Adams. I remember hearing it on the radio when I was young, and thinking how ‘cool’ it was to have a contemporary artist performing a tribute to something so ‘old.’ The song made me feel that Remembrance Day was something I should pay more attention to, and that it wasn’t just a day when I had to stand in silence even though I didn’t really understand why.
I spent a Rememberance day watching “Return to Dresden” starring a friend’s step-father, “Gif” Gifford. It is about airmen who returned to Dresden, Germany many years after they had bombed it and wanted to make personal peace with the civilians they had bombed.
I saw the film with my friend who had been a six year old child and living in Dresden during the war and told the story of what it was like for her and her family. I wasn’t able to get to a service that day but it was an amazing way to spend Rememberance Day.
My Dad and my uncles who served are all gone now and I miss being able to call them on Rememberance Day.
My husband served in the Canadian Armed Forces and had many tours of duty overseas, including Desert Storm and Peacekeeping for the UN in Bosnia/Croatia. Back in the 90s, the military was not seen in a positive light and names such as “baby killers” would be thrown around. I am so glad that today, in 2009, the men and women serving are given more respect and shown more affection and love than ever.
I am forever grateful for all who served, are serving or plan to serve. We need to support these men and women, even if you don’t believe in the cause. They are brothers, husbands, fathers, mothers, wives and sisters… people, who are brave, skilled and courageous.
My Grampy was a cook in the navy. He was supposed to ship out, but had to pass a physical first. He failed the physical because he had flat feet. That was the luckiest day of his life. The ship he was supposed to be on was bombed, and was sunk. No survivors.
my best friend named natalie is in the military and she is coming home on the weekend so i get to spend some time with her 🙂 cant wait.
my grandfather was a veteran but he passed away when i was only little.. so i dont know/remember any stories about the war from him.. but every year on november 11th we put a poppy on his grave and remember him.
My grandpa was in the hospital in Poland during WWII due to an injury and said that from his window he could see people throwing their children from the windows hoping they would survive the fall. This was after he was forced to a labour camp because his older siblings had bribed some people so he could go in their place. Not a story about a veteran but it’s touching nonetheless about how brutal wars can be.
My husband’s Great Uncle wanted to fight in the war. However, in Canada, the Chinese weren’t full citizen’s yet. He enlisted in the Armed Forces in the United States in order to assist in the war effort.
My husband’s Great Uncle wanted to fight in the war. However, in Canada, the Chinese weren’t full citizen’s yet. He enlisted in the Armed Forces in the United States in order to assist in the war effort.
i never knew anyone personally who served in the war, except my dad’s father (who i never met, he died before i was born) and now my dad has passed away as well.. so this is a special day for me to remember them both.
My grandfather was a British military police officer for many years, traveling half the world over the course of his career. One of the more harrowing experiences of his service was being captured during WWII, spending many months as a POW in an Italian internment camp. During those months my grandmother and their children had no idea if he was alive, and no one in the family really talked about what happened back then.
One of the few things I learned about that time in his life is that a young Italian girl used to visit the prisoners/soldiers sometimes, and keep up their spirits. I don’t think my grandfather ever forgot that girl’s kindness; a good memory for him when so many bad things were happening.
It’s a good reminder to me that it’s the small things we do that make a difference. That girl probably has no idea how many young men kept their hopes up because of her visits and gifts.
Along with many others (like my grandfather and soldiers I’ve known since), I always remember to think of her during Remembrance Day.
My grandma loved to tell the story about how my grandfather got demoted in the army during WWII. He went out with some fellow soldiers one night in England and decided to have a cuff added to the bottom of his pants. His commanding officer happened to walk past him right after he stepped out of the seamstresses and scolded him for altering his uniform. Guess he thought their uniforms could be snazzier!
As a high school teacher, I’m lucky enough to see our teenagers show their respect and gratitude towards veterans and current service people and recognize the remarkable sacrifices they’ve made.
We had a Remembrance Day assembly at school today. It’s always to sad to see those who have died fighting for peace. There were at least 30 people who attended my high school and died in the war. Remembrance Day is so sad…
First, I want to say that I think this is an incredibly wonderful way to honour people on Remembrance Day. I’m thinking that a lot of these recolections, poems, would be a lovely gift to give veterans. Perhaps creating a ‘book’ that can be given to a Legion Hall?
Anyway, my story is about my father-in-law who served in WWII. He would never tell us about the war. He would never say what he did. His only answer would be, “I changed lightbulbs in planes.” — hunh? really?
He died 6 years ago never divulging his true role. We found out 3 years ago that he was a spy! Too bad we could not get any details.
Also, my grandmother made bombs!
Lest we forget. If we forget we are doomed to repeat our mistakes.
Today I went to the Remembrance Day Memorail, held in Cambridge, with my 9 month old daughter. Together with many people we honored the lives that have fought for us and for those that are still fighting for us. Both of my Opa’s were to young to serve in the war, but they did have the Germans take over there houses, were they were made to serve them. My Oma said she could not even go to the bathroom without having one of the soldiers take her. They do not like to talk about it. I respect that and do not press for more information. I am forever grateful for all those who served and are still serving for the freedom that I have.
One month ago yesterday my oldest friend lost her husband, a military vet, due to complications of the swine flu.
This Remembrance Day has been especially difficult for her and makes me that much more grateful for my healthy, alive husband.
This last week-end the provincial cenotaph in Fredericton was damaged by vandals. This is a six-foot granite cross displaying a soldier’s helmet and gun so this was no accident. Needless to say this is a horrendous, disrespecting thing for someone to do and to have it happen so close to Remembrance Day makes it even more hurtful. The public outrage is at its high since as you know the cross represents those who died in past wars and can be pretty sad for veterans and also families of soldiers presently serving or who have recently lost a son, father, grand-father, friend….Right now public support is really high as everyone is offering to help in any way they can. I suspect the gathering of people at the service today has been bigger than normal.
I don’t have any direct experience with family in the military but I was reading that more than 1,500,000 Canadians have served our country, and more than 100,000 have died. Those are a lot of sons and daughters. Thank you to all of them and their families for their sacrifices.
I don’t have any story’s to share. The only person I had in the army was my Great grandfather but he died before I knew him. My friends, son is over in Afganastan right now. I couldn’t imagine how hard it is on the family. I know she’s proud of him, for serving his country. My thoughts go to all whom served, or are doing so rght now.
I don’t know if this is really a “story” or not, but I distinctly remember how upset my Grandpere used to get around Remembrance Day – he served in WWI with the 22nd Battalion (the “Vingt-Deuxs”, French Battalion), and, when WWII came around, he was one of the first men in the local recruiting office … they wouldn’t let him enlist, telling him he was too old to fight. Until the day he died, he told us the story of how he wasn’t allowed to fight for his country a second time, and how grateful we should be to the men & women who went overseas to fight and die for our freedom. And yes, I wear a poppy every year, not just for the fallen, but for the memory of my Grandpere as well, a man who loved his adopted country with every breath in his body.
My grandfather was there on Dieppe, he remembers being woken up by a German soldier and told to walk. He spent the rest of the war as a P.O.W. He doesn’t like to talk about it because of the awful things he witnessed. I appreciate him and other veterans for the incredible sacrifices they made (and current soldiers continuing to make) for the freedom of others. I am personally thankful that I have personally not lived through the horror of war.
My grandfather served in WW2. He always amazed me…I’ve always wondered how someone who served for our freedom and saw so many horrific things could carry on and still be the great man he was. He was gentle, kind, generous and loving. He rarely spoke about his experiences in the war…I think he preferred to leave the past in the past. We often would look at his collection of photos and Medals from that period of his life. The thing that always stood out for me was a local newspaper clipping with his photo and announcement that he was among the soldiers missing in action. I can’t imagine what his family must have felt at that time. It turns out he was injured by shrapnell but was still living. He must have been so afraid! He was found and he later returned home from the war. I’m so proud of and thankful to him and the many others who risked or lost their lives for us.
My husband was in the military and we made many friends there. Some have died in battle, some passed after they came home and suffered from PTSD. It is them I think of today…thier sacrifice made to allow for the freedom of others.
I don’t know anyone that is in the military. When I was in high school we had an assembly where a veteran came in and told us about everything he experienced. He said that although it was horrible, it was the best thing he had ever done.
I don’t have any personally touching stories to share. But I would like to express my deepest regret to those who lost their loved ones in wars.
I have two stories to tell, I hope that is ok as they are sort of connected.
My grandfater was a POW in Japan for more than four years during and after the second world war. During this time, my grandmother had very little word from him and at several points the army listed him as MIA.
During this long and trying time, she was raising 6 girls on her own with very little money and a lot of stressful times. She never gave up her humor or her wits, and she never gave up believing that her husband would someday see her again, whether in this life or next.
She did what she needed to to make sure her family not only survived, but thrived and while doing good works for her community and for the war effort. She was a splendid example of the many wives,children,parents,brother,sisters and other loved ones who were left behind.
I was discussing this with a history teacher of mine one remembrance day and he mentioned that he did not like the term remembrance day at all.
For him, it was not that we should not remember those who sacrificed, those who fought and lost their lives for the greater good, but that the definition of the day was too narrow.
I asked him what he meant by this, and this is what he said;
This day is not just to remember the loss, it is a time to celebrate the achievements of those who have gone before, not only as individuals, but as a country as a whole.
The acheivements of the soldiers, yes, but also of those who were left behind without whom the war would be lost. The workers in teh munitions factories, the tailors, the supply depot clerks, the children who ran scrap metal drives, the fathers and mothers who bought war bonds, teh efforts of the red cross and similar organizations, for without them, we would never had the chance to stand up and fight for what we beleive in. We would never had achieved what we did if not for these individuals coming together as a whole.
Another reason he did not like the term remebrance is that, in his mind, the word remebrance brings to the front of our minds the loss and the pain and while those are things that can never be forgotten, we also can not forget the courage and gusto and the sheer tenacity that is brought out in times of stress and doubt. The terms tends to forget the accomplishments of individuals and groups and tends to focus on the whole and while this needs to be done, we each also need recognize and celebrate and remember those who gave far and above teh call of duty as it were.
He urged our class to try and research one particular unit, battle or individual and learn all that we could about them, whether they be our family, friends, or a complete stranger. He also urged us to learn the stories of those left behind.
His theory was that if we got to know someone, we could personally be brought into some of what was happening at that time and would learn compasion and that and that by learning the story of one person, we could better connect with all those involved have a better connectedness with humanity, something which is sorely lacking in todays society.
It worked for me, before this, war was a vague concept to which I had no context, because I could not feel personally involved, war seemd a million miles away and a million years in the past. Having dscovered that war is all around, i nteh minds and hearts and souls of those who lived it, it opened my eyes, and for that I will be forever greatful
I have nothing but the utmost respect & admiration for those who choose to serve our country. We too often take them for granted, so “Thank You” so much for all of the sacrifices that you make to ensure us the freedoms that we enjoy.
coupondiva (aka denise)
My grandparents were both Dutch and lived in Holland during WWII. My grandfather’s best friend was a Jewish person, and was terrified when the Germans came through their neck of woods. So, my grandfather hid his best Jewish friend in his own home for the duration of the German infiltration. My grandfather was oh so close (had a gun held to his head) to dying because of this, but he managed to keep his head on straight and not reveal his best friend to the Germans when they knocked on his door and searched his tiny home.
Shortly after the war was done, my grandparents uprooted their family of 6 (themselves and 4 children) and moved to Canada. This was because my grandfather was eternally grateful to Canadian troops for their involvement in the war. When they came here, they proceeded to have three more children, having the last one (my mother) in 1960. His idol was a Canadian troop, and he went in search for the man in the late 70’s, only to find that he had passed on to the afterlife.
I can still remember clear as a bell my grandfather telling his graphic story to my brother and I when we were young. He has also had one of our cousins capture it in time in an autobiography written by my grandfather.
I miss my grandparents so much – especially around this time of the year and their birthdays. My grandmother passed away three years ago this coming spring, and my grandfather two years ago this coming summer.
I truly hope that my grandfather found his idol in heaven where they both so justly deserve to be.
My dad is retired from the military with 32 years of service. He deployed with the UN to Egypt, twice to Cyprus, Golan Heights and Somalia. Strangely, I don’t remember much about those times away, during my childhood. I remember odd things like him coming back and wanting to walk to McDonald’s for a Big Mac and telling me about wild cats that would run through their tents at night and scare them half to death. Seeing a picture of him on a camel and getting presents from foreign countries. Now, my husband is deployed, gone only 2 months now and boy did it hit home today. I sat my kids down before school and we watched the video “A Pittance of Time”. I was in tears, though I’ve never cried seeing it before. Then at my son’s Remembrance Day assembly, teary eyed and choked up by the video presentations and Last Post. Never forgotten and always thanked. Lest We Forget.
My father-in-law served in the US military during the Vietnam war. He was a medivac pilot. His helicopter was shot down and everyone on board died except for him. He has seen some horrible things, things that know no one should ever see. He talks very little about his experience. It is to painful. I love and respect him for his great scarfice. He has sacrificed his life, he did not die during combat but his life is lost because of the ever lasting physical/emotional traumas that he has endured. He says he will never be or feel normal. I give thanks to my father-in-law and every soliders for the sacrifices they have given and continue to give. My heart floods with love and graditute for your service.
I do not have a personal story, but I think an important to remember the sacrifices people made and are still making.
My Opa passed away on Sept.29th, it was 7 days after my birthday and he was 89. He was born in 1920 and spoke of the war often. He was in Yugoslavia but because he had a german last name was forced to do things that he did not want. On one occassion they were bombing the school which he and my Oma had once attended. I remember him saying it was sad and he even had his ring finger shot off.
He was a good strong man and I miss him so much. I wish I would have have taken recordings or video of him telling us his war stories. I even have a picture of him wearing his german uniform carrying the mail.
I don’t really have anyone that has been to war present day but war is war and he survived a lot. He was in a prisoner war camp as well and although I didn’t find that until after he passed away. He was slipping into demntia and often couldn’t remember names or what or if he ate but the war he could tell you dates, times, where he was and who he was with.
God Bless him and the rest of the men and woman who do what they do for all of us.
I Love you opa and we all miss you so much!!
My Grampy drove a sherman tank over in Europe in WWII while my Grannie was a cook for troops stationed in Canada, they were forced to separate for a while but found themselves back together after the war and were able to continue on as sweethearts and have 3 beautiful children. Sadly my Grandfather is no longer with us, he has been gone for quite sometime, but on this day I remember everything he did for me and my family.
I don’t have any close relatives who served in the war. I know my dad had an uncle who died during the 2nd world war, but I was never told very much about him.
I’m from Sudbury and the reason why most men in my family did go overseas is that they were exempt because the worked in the nickel mines. Their work mining nickel which would be used to make weapons and defenses was their contribution and I think that was a fair contribution.
My heart weeps for every family who has sent a member to fight in a war. They must feel so very proud but on the same note, so very scared of the outcome.
During the war my grandmother served as a Wren, she was a swichboard operator. Very recently I came across a scrap book that she started duing this time. There are many photos of her in uniform and of her friends.
The book starts with her and her 1st love who passed away during the war. I have done some more investigating and found out more about him – Walter Scott. He was the only son of a couple, not sure if he had any sisters but I do have a few photos of him and his parents and my Granny. He was sent overseas to Italy and the plane that he was on must have been gunned down. He was presummed missing after April 1944 and then months later was listed as died on active service.
I have heard the stories about my grandfater and his time in the war and of my grandmother, but of her first Finace was news to me and finding this book and searching online gave me more insite to what it must have been like living during the war.
My husband is military so we know all about the military lifestyle. He hasn’t personally served overseas but we have had plently of friends who have. We lost a friend this past March, so Rememberence Day has a new meaning for us now.
My Grandfather served with the Canadian Air Force in WWII, and though I have heard many a wonderful story, it’s one that happened after the war that sticks with me. A few years ago my grandparents took a trip to the maritimes, and they were in Nova Scotia (can’t recall where) and they decided to look up one of his old “war buddies”. So they looked the number up and called, and it turned out that the number provided was for the guys son, but that his father lived with him. So the son invited my grandparents over, telling them that his dad had run out for dougnuts. When the man returned from the store, he was so shocked to see my grandfather! 55 years had passed and my grandmother said the two men chatted it up like not a day had passed. She said the two “old men” were like teenages talking about all the escapades they had. This trip was about 10 years ago, but to this day my grandfather still talks about that trip….
I don’t know anyone in the military but I know someone who is about to join. he said it is easier to get into medical school after wards (and this is true). I felt a little weird when he said that – it felt like he didn’t really want to join military but for the purpose of getting into med school. It turns out that he had a grandpa that served as a doctor back in one of the world wars and he is actually inspired to become a military doctor himself… i felt a bit bad for thinking worse of him! But now I’m proud because he is able to merge his dream with the desire to protect his own country.
Last spring, watching the early morning news, i heard a blood icing news.
During the previous evening, one of friends’ boy attempted to kill his parents and killed his brother.
We felt so sad and sorry and couldn’t imagine how that could have happened and thought “what a nighmare for them”
The Funeralls were Military and we wondered why untill we knew more about who was our friends’son.
While studying to become a police officer, he was in the Reserved Army and averyone who knew him witnessed how he was a man of duty and honor who touched them in a way and he would have been a great soldier who wouldn’t have hesitate to give his life for his country because
he didn’t hesitate to act has a shield for his parents to save their life and lost his…
Now we have 2 Remembrance days, one in the Spring and one at Fall
This was my remembrance day story….
Boo, don’t choose me, there is no Loblaw or Super Store in my area
I had a friend’s brother in law get killed recently in Afghanistan
He left behind a wife and 4 kids. So Remembrance Day is a very personal thing for me. My heart is just full of respect and admiration for the people who serve and also their families who have to deal with seperation and sometimes the loss of a very loved one. I am so grateful for all the heroes who serve. One day just doesn’t seem enough to pay back all they have given for us.
I’ve known many veterans of WWII. One thing they seem to have in common is the drive to do more, be more, give more — because they came back and so many of their friends did not. I’ve known vets of Korea and Viet Nam, too. They seem not to have coped as well, possibly because of public attitude toward them. That’s part of the reason why I think it’s important to distinguish between glorifying war, or supporting a particular war, and honouring service and sacrifice.
I don’t know anyone in the military but I think it’s very brave to choose to fight for your country and all who live in it.
I don’t know anyone who has served in the military, but I think that one thing Canada does is we don’t discriminate. People of different skin colours, sexual orientations, and genders can ALL be in the military, working collaboratively to defend our country. Thank you to all those who have risked your lives to shape Canada. Lest we forget…
Did you know that John Henry Foster Bobcock (known as Jack) is last known surviving veteran of the Canadian military to have served in the First World War? Jack is 109 years old and was born in Frontenac County, Ontario and currently lives in Spokane, Washington, United States.
He has received international attention, including 109th birthday greetings from the Queen of Canada, the Governor General of Canada and the Canadian Prime Minister.
Jack first attempted to join the army at the age of fifteen, but was turned down and sent to work in Halifax until he was placed in the Young Soldiers Battalion in August 1917. Babcock was then transferred to Britain, where he continued his training until the end of the war.
Having never seen combat, Babcock never considered himself a veteran. Thought he is proud of his status as the last surviving Canadian World War I veteran, although he does not feel the need to be honoured in a specific state funeral. Instead, he is of the opinion that “they should commemorate all of them, instead of just one.” He was also quoted as saying “I’m sure that all the attention I’m getting isn’t because of anything spectacular I’ve done. It’s because I’m the last one!”
Today is always a very difficult day for me. I did my tour in Afghanistan in 2007, and before that I served in Rwanda, Haiti, and Cyprus. Today was a special day for me though, my 11 year old daughter came to the Remembrance ceremony with me in her Scout uniform. She noticed a tear in my eye and asked me if I was crying. I told her yes but it would pass. She took my hand and held on tight, and I knew at that moment that the deeds of men and women we were there to honour were all worth it.
I was watching CityNews today and i saw a story about a 10 year old who was best freinds with a 89 year old WWII veteran. They meet up every rememberance day in TO and the man tells the 10 year old stories about the war and shows him all of his metals. I thought it was cute 🙂
I have never had any experience with family members serving in the war, but today I had an extremely touching Remembrance Day. I usually volunteer at an elementary school twice a week, and this week the students were putting on a performance for the entire school and parents. They acted several scenes in battles and also showed the family members back home and how they were affected. One scene that really stood out was a mother and daughter at home, deeply saddened after hearing the loss of their husband/daddy. The student who played the role of the daughter was actually in tears on stage as she cried by her father’s gravestone saying “I am going to miss you so much daddy, your little angel”. I think the entire staff was in tears. It was extremely touching to see how serious the entire student body took the play. Not one laugh or giggle, not one clap or cheer. I think it’s safe to say that these students understood the sacrifices of others and honored them respectfully.
I don’t have any first hand stories or relatives who served in the military but we had a Remembrance Day assembly at school today and there was a sideshow of all the people from our school who had served and sacrificed their lives. Each year it brings tears to my eyes.
Today always makes me think of my Grandfather. He served in WWII, and was one of the lucky ones to come home safely.
My Grandpa always had “funny” war stories to tell as I was a child. On of my favorites as a child was about having to drive in trucks close together at night, with only a little light shining from underneath them. At the time I thought it was very funny… it wasn’t until years later that the realization that they didn’t have lights on because they didn’t want to get bombed hit me.
So brave… So loved…
I have worked with the military for 29 years and have heard many stories.
My dad would often tell me about moving to Halifax to join the military and how in 1956 just before leaving the military he met the love of his (my mother).
My great grandfather (my grandmother’s father) was overseas during WWI to come home and find out that he lost most of his family (except my grandmother and one of her sisters – lost 3 children and wife) in the Halifax explosion on 6 Dec 1917.
Hi
The couple across the street are a true inspiration of love. Although we recently lost Mr? due to a sudden illness just 2 months ago, this couple were brought together by the war! She was a nurse, he was very declorated soldier with lots of pins and badges. When we went to their 60th wedding anniversary just last Nov, there was a board with love letters they had written to one another, just so young and in love. It was truly amazing to be part of these peoples lives, being their neighbors and knowing their children, who now are older and have together 4 children, and their are 10 great grandchildren.
I used to listen to this man for hours, Rememberance Day truly is a special day for those who have fought and lost their lives and for those who are still alive. God Bless them All.
My grandpa served in HK for the American military during WWII. He is now 97 years old. Although he cannot remember things he did an hour ago, he can still vividly describe his adventures during the war. The only problem is that he often repeats himself because he forgot that he already told us the same story the day before. My cousins got sick of the repetitions, but I really don’t mind. As much as I wish he’ll still be with us forever, I know he wouldn’t much longer. I know I will very soon miss his voice and his adventure stories when the Lord takes him away. The world will miss a great hero!
My father served in the Airforce due WWII and my father-in-law served in the army during WWII. Both these men and all whose served are the unsung hero’s for us all. It is with great respect that I stand here humble on this earth a free person. My 2 boys who served as cadets are the proudest when they are in uniform in the presence of their grandfathers. My Aunt recently passed away and my sons asked the permission of their Chief to be able to wear their uniform at the funeral. They did this out of respect for my Aunt that did her part for the war as did my Mother. They were approved to were full uniform and did so with great pride and repect for their elders. They know that they risked their lives for their saftey and freedom today. Nice to know that 2 generations later that we will never forgot the sacifice of so many.
I don’t have any relatives who served in the military but I strongly feel that Remembrance Day is necessary to honour all those brave men and women who lost their lives so that we can experience all the freedoms we have in this country. For this I am grateful.
My father-in-law was just a boy when he was forced to endure the horrible conditions in Germany caused by the war. Although he recently passed away, I will never forget the hardships he endured and the stories he shared. Every Rememberance Day I remember all those people who sacrificed their lives so that we could enjoy the freedom we have today. Thank you to all those who made a difference.
I dont know anyone serving the military, but it is one of the honorable and respected jobs similar to teachers and doctors.
well my great great Grandfather and great grandfather both served in world War II on the front lines. They lived in Holland at the time. I heard all the time the stories from my Opa (grandfather) all the time on how bad it was. My great grand father owned a farm where he helped hide people trying to flee the war and help feed families that had lost everything. And all they had to live on was Potatoes, and they would come up with different ways to cook the potatoes. My Oma’s (grandmother) family wasnt so lucky there house was bombed and they became homeless and thats how both my grandparents had met. My Oma’s family went to live in one of the barns on my Opa’s father’s farm. Its sad hearing all the stories because I have never had to live in fear of my life every single day, and not be able to sleep because sirens would be going off all night to warn of bombings, and wondering if you would be next. I would never like to live that way. And my heart goes out to everyone that has and is living that life right now. And I give thanks to all solidiers past, present, and future, that have done a great job in protecting us and letting us raise our children in a safe country.
I have no one serving my son who is 15 wants to serve in the future which makes me proud. At our school today the grade 2’s put on a tear jerking cermony with poems, songs ect. It is really nice to see kids so caring.
When I was younger, I would visit my grandmother, who was unfortunately suffering from Alzheimer’s. One afternoon, I was looking at old photos in her basement, hidden in dusty shoe boxes, when I found a wedding invitation with a photo… it was from 1941, my grandmother’s first marriage, to a man who was killed in action two years later. I would never have known about this man if I hadn’t found that one remaining photo of him, and right now I wish I had been able to listen to my grandmother talk about him before she passed away.
I wonder about him; I can’t fathom his heartbreak at having to leave right after being married, and hers at finding out he wasn’t coming home. Thank you the space to write this out… I think I’ve been inspired to do some research and find out more.
Both my husband and I had grandfathers that served in WWII – mine for the Canadian army and his for the german army – it has been interesting to hear their different perspectives. (Incidentally, my husband’s grandpa was conscripted and didn’t want to fight – he spent most of the war in a French POW camp)
lest we forget…
I just am personally touched when I see how proud parents and family memebers are of their military family members. I live in a military community, however do not have any immediate family members currently serving. But I am still extremely proud of my community. Proud, brave and strong!!! Thank you for all those people who are serving or who have served in our military!!! Your sacrifice is greatly appreciated and never forgotten!!
My boyfriend’s brother left for his duty in Afghanistan few weeks ago. He is a young man with lots of courage and a family who supports him. They keep in touch and he seems to be doing well. We hope for his safe return in 5 months.
WAR-WHAT A TERRIBLE THING. SO MANY LIVES LOST. I WOULD HATE MY CHILDREN TO LIVE THROUGH A WAR. HITLER. SO TERRIBLE. SO TERRIBLE. WHAT A SAD THING WAR IS.
…My Dad didn’t like to talk about the war[WW2], so I got thinking about Rememberance Day last year, Dad & other vets. & came up with the making of a poem/song, that’s still in the works that could be anyone’s memory. I hope you enjoy it. It’s called:
“I Remember You”
It’s been so long since I’ve seen your face
The childhood memories are not erased,
…and I remember you… I remember you.
Poppies paint pictures of your wartime years
Missing your loved ones, letters are dear,
…And I remember you…I remember you.
Looking at albums, looking for a trace
of holding you close in a warm embrace,
…and I remember you…I remember you.
And the ice-cream truck is coming down the street, can we go to the park can we get a treat, the music is playing can I dance on your feet,
…And I remember you…I remember you.
Deb Mack,
Nov. 11, 2008
My relatives were all on the other side and the heartbreak of war was just as strong in Europe as elsewhere. Families are the ones that suffer from the politics of war and it is those families that we need to thank for the heartache and suffering they endure.
I think remembrance day is a very special day that allows us to honour the veterans who fought in past and current wars for our freedom! My best friend has a brother serving over seas in Afghanstan and it is during times like this that everyone remembers and appreciates all of the people serving in our military for our country! Lest we forget.
We have a silver medal for bravery engraved to Pvt Looney. We have often wondered about his story. He was a distant relative
Annette
I had a great-grandfather who served in WW1, but I don’t remember him that well, just a few isolated memories. So instead, I’d like to talk about my Grade 3 class and the assembly they were a part of today. I am a student teacher and my kids sang Blowin’ in the Wind by Bob Dylan and Where Have All the Flowers Gone by Pete Seeger with 2 other classes. It was a really touching display and they did a great job to commemorate Remembrance Day.
Both my grandparents served in WW2, one as an amunitions truck driver and one as a motorcycle dispatch driver…both were various dangerous jobs. Neither one spoke much about their experiences since I’m sure they were memories they would rather not remember but I do recall both telling a few stories of losing close friends during the war on missions they were on together. I feel so fortunate that they both returned safely and I got to know them and I feel sad for those who didn’t ever get to know their grandparents/parents/uncles/brothers and other relatives who never made it home. Let’s hope we all can truly see Peace on Earth during our and our children’s lifetimes.
Today is a day to remember those who fought for our freedom. As a child I lived with my grandparents. My Grandpa was a member of the 181st Batallion based out of CFB Shilo. He was a machine gunner. I have his booklet that he was issued when he was in WWI. He would tell me stories of living in the trenches and fighting over at Vimy Ridge. I was fortunate to have him but there are others who never had the chance to have grandchildren because they paid the ultimate price for our freedom – For me I pay my respect and honor those individuals.
Wow how to begin. My memories are from the loved ones alive but my grandson said it best today. Your Dad was lucky to be in the war. I said that’s not lucky and he said yes he is ” He’s ALIVE”
I have a funny story from when my grandpa was younger. The Germans had set up camp in the small town my grandpa lived in, him and some other friends went and stole some grenades (have no idea how they got away with that)anyways they tied a string onto one of the grenades and put it into a fork of a branch or some part of a tree, he said they laid down on the ground kind of behind a little hill and pulled the string to set off the grenade….it went off and the tree exploded, he said the germans were going crazy trying to find him and his friends. He told me they didn’t do it to scare anyone but just to see how powerful the granade was…..if only I could tell all the storys I’ve been told! My grandma was badly injured as well from war when she was a little girl, a plane exploded and a piece of metal went through her leg (I’ve seen the scar)…from the top of her thigh and out the side of her calf.
In respect to Remembrance Day- My neighbor fought in the war. He doesn’t like to talk about it. How awful.
Four of my uncles fought in WW2. My father was turned away, as he was a very young teenager at the time. Two of my uncles, Walter and John, were killed in WW2. My uncle Albert along with my uncle William came home. While overseas William met and married a British woman who also participated in the war in some capacity. They had a son, my cousin, John who retired from the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry some time within the past few years. Unfortunately my immediate family was not close with the rest of my father’s family and I did not get to know much more about them. It was not something my father talked about. I do remember going to the War Memorial with my parents in our town every Remembrance Day to lay a wreath in memory though.
My father passed away when I was 9, but I remember him having some of Uncle John’s medals from the war. I wish I had paid more attention to what they were and what they represented, but at such a young age I didn’t really understand how significant it was. I remember that after my father’s passing my mother gave the medals to my father’s brother, who I’m sure has passed them down to his children.
Although I do not support wars I do support the soldiers that risk their lives every day to give us the freedoms we take for granted.
We have a grumpy neighbour that does not like to socialize much with people. We only see him sometimes when he lets his dog out. But today, at 11am we saw him in his uniform, stand outside for a full minute. It was a really touching moment for some reason. I see him in a different light now.
My great uncle served in WWII. I never really got to know him well or most of my extended family as they all live in New Brunswick and my parents had moved to Ontario when they got married. I do remember visiting him a few times when I was younger and him showing me pictures displayed in his living room of him during that time and he was so proud. Sadly he died this year from cancer and all day today I am thinking of him.
Several years ago an anti-war group was distributing ‘white peace poppies.’ The poppy, however, in any form other than a real poppy flower, is a registered symbol of the Royal Canadian Legion. The Legion threatened legal action over unauthorized use of the symbol and the white poppies were dropped. This year anti-war activists came up with a pin of a white dove to replace the controversial white poppies. You can see a picture of the dove pin and learn more at http://www.yukon-news.com/news/15278/
A few years ago (ok, who are we kidding…more than a few years ago) I was asked to say a poem at the Remembrance Day Ceremony at my school. To this day, I still can’t say the whole poem, which I still have memorized, without tearing up at the end. RIP to the fallen heroes – You will never be forgotten.
Here is the poem for those of you who would like to see it…
PLEASE WEAR A POPPY
Don Crawford
“Please wear a poppy,” the lady said
And held one forth, but I shook my head.
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her face was old and lined with care;
But beneath the scars the years had made
There remained a smile that refused to fade.
A boy came whistling down the street,
Bouncing along on care-free feet.
His smile was full of joy and fun,
“Lady,” said he, “may I have one?”
When she’s pinned in on he turned to say,
“Why do we wear a poppy today?”
The lady smiled in her wistful way
And answered, “This is Remembrance Day,
And the poppy there is the symbol for
The gallant men who died in war.
And because they did, you and I are free –
That’s why we wear a poppy, you see.
“I had a boy about your size,
With golden hair and big blue eyes.
He loved to play and jump and shout,
Free as a bird he would race about.
As the years went by he learned and grew
and became a man – as you will, too.
“He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile,
But he’d seemed with us such a little while
When war broke out and he went away.
I still remember his face that day
When he smiled at me and said, Goodbye,
I’ll be back soon, Mom, so please don’t cry.
“But the war went on and he had to stay,
And all I could do was wait and pray.
His letters told of the awful fight,
(I can see it still in my dreams at night),
With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,
And the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.
“Till at last, at last, the war was won-
And that’s why we wear a poppy son.”
The small boy turned as if to go,
Then said, “Thanks, lady, I’m glad to know.
That sure did sound like an awful fight,
But your son – did he come back all right?”
A tear rolled down each faded check;
She shook her head, but didn’t speak.
I slunk away in a sort of shame,
And if you were me you’d have done the same;
For our thanks, in giving, if oft delayed,
Thought our freedom was bought – and thousands paid!
And so when we see a poppy worn,
Let us reflect on the burden borne,
By those who gave their very all
When asked to answer their country’s call
That we at home in peace might live.
Then wear a poppy! Remember – and give!
My uncle (my mom’s older brother) was kidnapped by North Korean soldiers to fight during the Korean War. We are all from South Korea, so my uncle essentially was forced to fight against his homeland. He was missing for 2 years so he was presumed dead. My other uncle did not want to go to war, so he was hiding in a hole of an outhouse. Anyways, the missing uncle returned home 2 years later (on foot). My mom also lost her cousin and her uncle during the war as well. They were also kidnapped and forced to fight. Bottom line, so many people died serving their country, including some of my family members.
i don’t have any relatives who served in the military. my son played the trombone with the school band at the rememberance day ceremony today. i think it’s good to have the kids participate in such an important day.
I don’t have any relatives in the military. I do whole heartly thanked all the veterans’ sacrificed for what it is right.
as an air cadet, i had to participate in a Remembrance Day ceremony in front of the City Hall, although it was raining, it was very meaningful. being in the parade made me feel very proud to be one of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, and also made me wonder how soldiers felt themselves when they went to war and even sacrificed their lives. Today is very special indeed.
I ride the public transportation here in Ottawa, and I always find people’s conversations ineteresting on busses, but this just blew my mind. A little girl (maybe around 5 or 6 years old) was talking to her mom. The mom was explaining what Remembrance day was all about. After listening to a very thorough explanation, including some about ceremonies and such that go on around the country, the little girl said in the cutest way imaginable, “But momma, why on Remembrance day? Shouldn’t we be honouring these people every day of the year?”. I thought I would cry. When I was 5 years old I barely understood what the day meant at all.
My grandfather was in WWII and he would not talk about the war but to say it was horrible and I pray there is never another war. That was enough as a child later as an adult my dad told me some of the stories he heard from his father and the only words I can use is “it sounds horrible”. I am thankful every day that people serve to protect me and my family and that we are Canadian!
My friend PFC Kyle Giffin is currently serving in the Canadian Military and just arrived home last week from his first tour in Afghanistan. What I find heartbreaking is the Military is his life as he is a soldier first and a civilian last. He has been back a week and already struggling to re-adjust. He feels lost being back on Canadian soil and not having his weapon 24/7, not having to do patrols in the dessert. It’s a sentiment that is felt by many a soldiers as it is hard for soldiers to re-adjust to a “normal” life back home. These soldiers sacrafice alot while serving their country and sadly when they come home safely, they still have lost a part of themselves. I am thankful to anyone that has served in the Military or who currently does as they give up so much of themselves. My Husband is a Veteren as he service in the U.S.M.C, I’m just glad he is one of the lucky ones who was able to re-adjust as many aren’t so lucky. God Bless those that serve.
WEll my late great uncle served in the army…. well a long long time ago…. he was a fighter pilot serving over seas…. his plane was shot down in a remote area… badly hurt as he pulled himself to safty he could remember a beautiful face looking down at him…. when he woke a bit later after a battle of infections he saw the same face sitting next to him….. 45 yrs later as he was much older, every morning he would open his eyes to see the same face smiling at him…. the woman who saved my great uncle, took care of him for many many years, married, had children and survived a sick sick battle……To all of those who fought for freedom, who fought to keep us safe, I thank you……….
I will always remember remembrance days throughout elementary and secondary school. Even though I am no longer attending school, I still take a few minutes out of my day to pay respect to those who helped shape our country and culture.
When I was young, and I’d like to think I still am most days, I never paid much attention to Remembrance Day except when the legion held their poem contest and the whole class was encouraged to write a poem about Remembrance Day. I won 3rd place in the regionals. The poem started something like this…
Remember the children
they died too
The children who died
for me and you
They didn’t know
if they’d see morn
and in the war
their hearts were torn
And after that, I really can’t remember. I don’t even think I kept a copy of the poem, but I do have the certificate stating I won a prize.
Fast forward to now. I didn’t think I had much of a connection to the war. My parents moved here from the UK and they were too young to remember the actual war, but just after my sons were born I started to research my family tree and I found out just how much my family did have to do with the war. My dad had 3 Uncles that served in Africa during the war, one was even in the SAS. My mom’s dad was a flight mechanic in the RAF.
In the first world war, I lost family in action. Their names engraved in monuments in Europe because the losses were so great to the allies that they were never found and never buried.
How can I not remember them and respect them and honour them? I am doing all I can to piece their lives back together, and one day I hope I will take my children to see their family’s contribution so that they will never forget either.
I teach grade one and I find it difficult to try and teach young children about what remembrance day means, at an age appropriate level. I read stories and we talk about family members that have been involved in war. There are a lot of immigrant students and some of them have arrived witnessing war first hand. The students are asked to colour a picture and write their thoughts. They always seem to surprise me with the compassion and sympathy they can relay at such a young age. It give me hope that, one day, these children will change the world.
My husband is in the regular forces and I am in the reserves, and we met training for a military exercise… needless to say it’s been a big part of our lives. Two years ago one of the members of my unit lost his life in Afghanistan. It was shocking and that Remembrance Day was particularly emotional and poignant for the whole unit and his fiancee.
Being in the military is an amazing sacrifice for not only the soldier, but his / her family. I thought of all of those wives, husbands, fathers, mothers, and children who family are serving overseas today. We are so lucky to live in Canada!
My Uncle has served in the Canadian Airborne all his adult life. Though he was classed a peacekeeper, none of us will ever know what all he saw in his years of active service, he keeps that very well concealed. Having to retire (but still be on call) due to a stange accident that occurred after serving over 30 years as a Proud Military Man, he found it very difficult to adjust to every day life. Even today, you can see in his eyes the trauma and tragedy he lived with throughout his career. I have spoken with many Veteran’s of WWII, and have noticed most will speak of the war, but only the funny events that had taken place, keeping the harsh memories to themselves. They live with that everyday, and I honour them for what they did for us.
My grandfather server in WW2. He never wanted to talk about it. When he died, his friends all wore a poppy at his funeral. To this day, I’m always very emotional when I buy my poppy in November. It makes me think about him.
I work in a school and some year’s the kids are not respectful at the rememberance day assemblies, yesterday was the exception every child age 4-13 sat immersed in the “why we rembember video”. One young man(from the ” Special Ed” class) read “why we wear a poppy” story with the principal, All the staff were wiping tears from their cheeks…
It was one of those “AH-HA” moments…
I felt blessed to be part of that moment to remember..
🙂
My Beppe was a Nurse in WW2. It is something that she does not talk about much because there were many horrible stories. But she has such a passion for Nursing after the war she stuck with it until she retired.
Growing up, I was influenced by the memoirs of my grandfathers experiences in the war, and how brave our soldiers are that fight for our freedom. Throughout elementary and highschool our schools held assembleys to show our respect for those who died for us. Although it has been years since I have been in school, I will never forget to take the time to express my sympathy for those who went to battle for Canada, our home.
I feel that everyone should take a moment of silence today, to remember those amazing people who battled for us, for you and me to have what we have today.
Thankyou to all the Canadian soldiers that step up and take on all that they do. All my respects go out to you and your families.
my family is dutch and I can’t share alot of what my Opa did because he supposedly refused to talk about it but he was part of the underground operation helping Jews in Holland. It isn’t exactly military but he did something sooo amazing and dangerous and all in secret. I think he had a big heart even tho I never really knew him or knew much of what he did during the war but just the fact that he risked his life for others who were being hunted and treated like animals says alot. The Jews never deserved that and I am very proud and thankful for my Opa who helped them. Even if I don’t know details. I do want to ask my dad again because my dad did overhear some things while growing up but I don’t remember any of it currently and I wanted to pay respect to my Opa/grandfather in this small way by sharing this with others. I am also saddened to say that a few yrs ago my Opa died of Cancer so essentially the past and the stories of what he did do in the war died with him. This is a very important day to remember those who fought for others freedom whether in the Military or not.
My grandfather was shot in the leg in the war. He never would talk about it as it was a touchy subject for him.
Please keep the memory of all our past and present soldiers in thoughts and hearts everyday but especially on this, Remembrance day….
Personally, I do not know anyone who has served in the military. I’m truly grateful for the strength, sacrifice, and courage of all those who have served in the military. Thank you for all that you have done. My heart goes out to all the family and friends of these soldiers, both living and fallen.
I do not have any stories to share about personal or family experience and war, but I am very greatful for all who fought for our rights and freedoms today and days past. Please, take a moment today to show well deserved respect to those who devote their lives to provide these things for all of us.
November 11th is my favorite day of the year. Both my grandmas and grandpas served in WWII and both of my grandmas lost their previous husbands in that same war. Today has a huge impact on my family. I think the most interesting thing I ever heard one of my grandpas say was that war was the best thing he ever did in his life… he met some of the most amazing men and afterwards was given an education that he never would have been able to get otherwise. You don’t hear that statement very often!
I am a grade 2/3 teacher and today my students sang Blowin In the Wind at an assembly. It was so touching to see a bunch of 7 and 8 years olds singing about remembering those who fought for our freedom.
When I first asked my boyfriend to share an experience from the military (he’s in the reserves) he said that ‘everything is classified’, which made me laugh. But he also told me that he participated in a training exercise with veterans, who taught the reserves how they fought in WWII. He said that it was a very eye-opening experience and that he learned a lot.
No personal stories here, but I appreciate the opportunity for people to share their Remembrance Day stories on this blog. So many people have been touched by war … both now and in this past. It would be my dream for my children to grow up in a world without war, but alas, that is not the case. I am grateful that they do not have to experience war directly, thanks to those in previous generations who risked their lives for our country.
Thought these 2 facts were interesting
From 1980 to 2002 the centres were changed to green to represent the green hills of Flanders. Current designs are black only; this reversion caused notable confusion and controversy to those unfamiliar with the original design
and
Until 1996, poppies were made by disabled veterans in Canada, but they have since been made by a private contractor.
My Grandfather was captured during WWII and was in a concentration camp for several months, he endured several hard ships during this time,from being put in a barrel of fee sis, to whippings etc. His bravery does not go unnoticed, i do not think i could ever survive what her want through, but i thank him everyday for his role in the freedom that we as Canadians enjoy today. Imagine a life time of reoccurring nightmares of seeing your friends not make it back home. I give thanks to all who served and are currently serving our great country and one i am proud to call home!
Thanks for having a great contest and allowing us to reflect on what today
truly means.
On this day I am thankful for all the men and women that fought and are still fighting to keep Canada strong and proud.
I am also thankful for the 196 comments ahead of me, through these comments stories are told and even though our Vets are passing the memories will live on and on and on through loved ones.
When I was in school, we would always read the poem “Flanders Fields” and it really touched my heart reading it. It made me think of all those soldiers who fought for us in the war and who still continue to fight.
Keep them safe.
o people of my country
you go ahead and hail
this is remembrance day for all of us
Go ahead and unfurl lovely Flag
but don’t forget that at the war
braves have laid their lives
remember them a little today
those who could not return home
o people of my country
moisten your eyes a little
those who have sacrificed themselves
remember [their] sacrifices a little
until the last breath they fought
and then lay their dead bodies
with their foreheads on deathbed
immortal sacrifiers slept
when we were sitting in the houses
they were shielding the bullets
our those soldiers were blessed
their youth was blessed too
their bodies were drenched in blood
yet they lifted the gun
each killed ten [of enemies]
and then fell down losing their senses
when the final moment came
they said: we are dying
be happy loved ones of the country
now we are going on a journey
what passionate people they were
what pround people they were
so that you don’t forget those
that is why this story is told
How precarious life is. My grandpa had gout in his foot, and was told he had to stay in the hospital while his platoon went on a mission in Indo China. The entire platoon was essentially wiped out. His legacy today is a large loving family.
My Grandfather was in WWII, but he never liked to talk about it. But the most touching war story I’ve ever heard was about what happened on Christmas Day, 1914. On Christmas Eve, the British could hear the Germans singing Christmas carols in German in their trenches. The British decided to join in, and soon both sides were singing the same carols in two different languages.
The next day (Christmas), an informal truce was called between the two sides. They got out of their trenches, shook hands, exchanged gifts of chocolate and cigarettes, and then played soccer (!) for a little while before returning to their trenches.
The next day, fighting resumed.
The first time I heard this story I thought it was an urban legend, but Snopes confirms that it’s true. Now whenever I think of this story, it brings a tear to my eye and reaffirms my faith in the goodness of humanity.
We can never forget the sacrifices of our soldiers and their families!
May our next generation remember with pride! For we live in a great Country!
My parents & grandparents have all been deeply affected by war. They seldom spoke of it but I have managed to pick up bits of information over the years. I still feel sad when I recall their demeanor & expression on the few occasions they did speak of their experiences. My heart goes out to all the people (past & present) who have endured.
Peace on earth, good will to men – when?
My grandfather served in WWII but he passed away 13 years ago. He had a brother that died in the war and I regret now not asking him about his time in the war. Being older we can appreciate these stories more than we would as kids. I can’t possibly imagine how truly horrifying the experience would have been.
jax
I don’t have any military story, but I am thankful for those who have sacrifice their lives and loved ones for the peace and well-being most of us enjoy and take for granted today.
Lest us remember…
My mum is here today because of a run in her “silk hose” (nylons). She lived in a very industrial part of England during the war when she was a teenager. Her girlfriend was having a 17th birthday party. Just before she was to go she discovered a “run” in her hose and stopped to darn them. As she was doing that the air-raid sirens went as they did most nights. She and her family headed for the air-raid shelter and she missed the party. Her father was a “fire warden” who worked in the streets helping after the raid was over. Sadly, he came upon the house where she was to have gone to the party. A bomb had hit it – instantly killing all who were there. She lost all her friends that night but lived on to tell the story to us. That was 67 years ago. Each year she lays a wreath at the Remembrance Day celebrations and remembers all those she knew who did not survive the war.
My pepere was in the war but he was a very quite man and never really talked about it. He has passed now and I miss him a lot. I think it’s important to remember those who served and their families.
I am extremely grateful for all those who have served our great nation. This is a selfless act. Thank you!
I overheard in the media that we can express our gratitude by donating $10.00 Tim Hortons gift cards to the troops serving in Afghanistan. We can express our gratitude and give them something from home. This is a brilliant idea and plan donating to express my thank yous and hopefully make an impact.
(http://www.torontoems.ca/main-site/news/recent-news.html)
When I was in public school every year on Remembrance day our school band would play at the Rembrance ceremony for our town. At that age most of us just complained about being outside in the cold, or being bored at the ceremony. It was only years later that I reocgnized the significance of those ceremonies and of Remembrance Day as a whole.
Remembrance Day is always a special day for me. One of my dear dear family friends flew a fighter jet in WWII. I was always fascinated with the stories that he told me. One thing that always struck a cord in my heart was how alone he must have felt at times, flying over enemy territory in a freezing cold fighter plane, hearing shots ring out around him. The bravery astounds me. I have such respect for this man and any person who fights for the freedom of our country.
Each year I take the time the write this friend a short note expressing my thankfulness for his bravery and committment. As the years have gone by he tells me that I am often the only one to take time out to thank him for his service. How sad! He is now well into his 80’s and deserves to be acknowledged every day for what he did, not neglected on one special day a year.
carlamo (at) ymail (dot) com
My grandfather died flying his plane over France during World War II. He is burried in England and visit his grave as a small child. To him and all the other Veterans, “Lest us never forget”
Sad day for my family as well–my ONLY Grandpa (whom I never got the opportunity to meet) served in WWII. He and my Granny (whom is now 92 years old and still living on her own in an apartment) had been dating about 13 months prior to the war. When my Grandfather heard that he was about to be deployed, he couldn’t risk the fact that he may not come back and marry the love of his life so he proposed to my Granny (she was 28 and he 29 years old). They married and 1 week later, he was deployed! He wrote to her once a week as allowed. Thankfully, he returned to her! They bought a small house in Winnipeg off of Henderson Hwy and had four children 2 years apart. Sadly my Granny told me that shortly after my Grandfather got back he was having nightmares, cold sweats at night and would just blank out at times like he ‘was in another world’; today we call this PTSD–and SADLY MANY troops that come home without physical injuries and have escaped with their lives, suffer from this syndrome! My Grandfather was one of them. In 1975, my Granny awoke to my Grandfather in one of his nightmares and he said he was having chest pain when he awoke, so they rushed him to the hospital. He died an hour later. I was born in 1978, so I never had the honour of knowing my only Grandpa…I only hear stories from my Granny and see the photos and the love letters from the war. They were married for only 30 years…my Granny has lived 34 years alone since he died and she says she misses him more and more everyday!
I feel that there should be more research and emphasis on PTSD for our heros that do survive–for them and help for their families in how to help them deal with their post-traumatic stress–this may help our heros to live longer and fuller lives WITH their families!
Thanks for hearing my story.
I work in an elementary school, and we had our two minutes of silence at the end of the day on Tuesday. My afternoon class is usually a pretty rowdy bunch, but I was truly touched when the annoucement came over the PA for everyone to stand for the 2 minutes of silence. It warms my heart to know that these kids may not truly understand the importance of fighting for our freedom, but that they were truly respectful during the assembly and 2 minutes of silence.
My grandfather was in the Navy. A cannon went off right beside him. He became deaf at the young age of 20. He had married his sweetheart before he left, and when that happened he came home to raise his family. It changed his life in a huge way.
ebickell at hotmail dot com
I too remember those who sacrifice their lives
My grandfather was part of the Allied Forces that went out on D-Day to retake Normandy.
As he was traveling across the English Channel, my grandfather’s boat was blown out of the water. Apparently he washed up on shore and was rescued. He spent several months in the hospital recovering but can’t remember exactly what happened.
Luckily he made it through with no lasting damage and all his limbs. He’s still a feisty one today!
Today I sat and watched planes fly overhead at 11:00 AM. It made me really think that not too long ago, people were in planes just like the ones I was watching, not knowing if they would ever get to see their family again. I have heard a LOT of people complain about “old people” or seniors, but we can’t forget what they gave for our freedom. These people had to go through hell for us and gave the ultimate sacrifice. Hopefully, we will never have to go through such events again and we will learn from our past.
My husband’s grandfather faught in World War I, he left Canada at the age of 16, a child, to fight for our freedom. He told us the story of how stay warm in the trenches the soldiers would huddle up close to the person next to them. One morning he woke up moritfied only to realize that he had slept against a dead German all night, god only knows what would have happened if the German soldier were alive. Grandpa did lose a lung in the war from mustard gas, but said it was worth the sacrifice.
My 14 year old son did something touching this week, twice he ran back in the house before school because he forgot a toonie. The second time I asked him why he needed a toonie, he said that he noticed a veteren selling poppies at No Frills and he wanted to go visit him and ask him questions about the war on his lunch hour. I am sure the veteren enjoyed telling his stories as much as son enjoyed hearing them.
I work in an elementary school and I was very touched and proud to hear 700 students, many new immigrants singing O Canada then reciting Flanders Field, it was such a powerful experience. We all need to continue to educate our children about our past and the sacrifices that our Canadians veterens made for our freedom. Lest we forget.
I don’t have a particular story to share but I am currently serving in my 14th year in the Canadian Forces. Thank-you very much for taking an opportunity to honour the friends and families of past and serving members.
Having served overseas on deployment over the Christmas holidays, I know first hand how great it feels to receive cards and warm words from home. Thank-you for remembering today and please, if you can, try to remember them at Christmas as well – send a soldier a card.
The most touching Remembrance Day ceremony to me was one that I attended in our Nation’s Capital at the Unknown Soldier’s grave. To stand by a grave marked by a bronze decor but no name next to it, truly brings life to what happened in the war on a regular, and sadly, daily basis.
When you leave the November 11th ceremony, the grave of the unknown soldier is no longer another monument of concrete with bronze decor, but a monument that is flooded with thousands of red and black centered poppies for those whom we thank for our freedom.
An unmarked grave…a family who does not know what truly happened to their loved one…a sea of red and black poppies…but for one minute….one single minute…we are all united once again to remember the individuals…the sons, the fathers, and the husbands all who wrote their name down on a piece of paper to enlist in a war to fight for our freedom. And to them I say a sincere, “Thank You.”
Lest We Forget.
I don’t know of anyone in the military but I think it’s very brave for those who choose this line to fight and make sacrifices for all of us. God bless them all past and present.
My Dad was in the army and while he didn’t fight in any wars, he was involved in a jeep accident while on manoeuvres in Gagetown. My mother was in a terrible panic when she got the phone call that while still alive,he had serious head and leg injuries. The head injuries required 33 stitches across his face just above his eyebrow to close the wound and they had to remove half of his kneecap.
Dad survived the accident with his sense of humour intact…my sister Noreen, Dad and I(Teeny, short for Christine) became No-knee, Two-knee and Half-knee!!
Typical self-effacing Canadian soldier…making the best of a bad situation.
baggypants
I have several family members serving actively in the military now as well as many retired from the armed forces. This day is special to me to even take a minute out of the day to thank them for the jobs they do everyday
Whenever I hear the trumpet’s song at a Rememberance Day service tears form in my eyes. We must always be grateful.
My mother served for the Military. She ironed/laundered uniforms for the American Solders while living in Italy.
I am a first generation Canadian and proud to be so. My parents were born during WWII, actually, my father was born in a Japanese jeep. My mom immigrated to Canada in 1969 at the age of 23 (having only 1 uncle living here, that helped sponsor her), my father followed in 1973 and they were married here. The veterans that helped Canada become the inviting, strong and safe country it is today, is what helped my parents and many of my family members decide to come to Canada and help build strong foundations here.
My DH is like 5th or 6th generation Canadian. When I think of Rememberance Day, I think of his grandfather (who has since passed away). He was in the Navy during WWII, left his work with Imperial Oil (aka Esso) to serve our country (BTW, Imperial Oil kept/included his years in service during the war as part of years of service at Imperial Oil, and was welcomed back with a job, upon his return). Pa (as we called him), proudly and loyally returned to Imperial Oil after his service and remained there until he retired in 1980.
When I think of Rememberance Day, I think of a picture that used to hang in Pa’s study/office. It was a black and white picture of him and other soldiers floating in the ocean on pieces of wood. Their ship was blown up on Christmas eve and they were left floating in the ocean unsure of their destiny and if they would return to their families during Christmas Day. When rescued, the ship had a photographer and Pa was captured in one of his pictures. Luckily, Pa was able to get a copy. I think Pa kept it as a reminder of what could have been and as a rememberance to be thankful everyday for all he had.
WE MUST REMEMBER THE BRAVERY THAT THOSE LEAD TO HELP PROTECT US AND OTHERS TO KEEP OUR WORLD SAFE!…THEY RISK THEIR FREEDOM, IN HOPES FOR FREEDOM AND ALL. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO!
I don’t have a story about the military exactly, but I did once witness a tearful moment.
I saw an old war veteran nearly “wobble” towards a coins & medals reseller at a local mall. This veteran was clearly damaged by old age and a previous war. This veteran risked his life, and when he needed money, he had to sell a medal of his… for only $60!!!
What kind of justice is it in this world? People go off to war to fight, risking their lives and earning colorful ribbons & medals that can be resold for only $60! They risked their life and could only get $60 from that medal.
As if we can put such a price on a person’s life (or risking their life)
I wish people wouldn’t be so greedy and could show more respect.
I salute those that risk their lives.
~Richie
My cousin serves in the US AirForce and served in Irag as an engineer for over a year. The toll it took on his family while he was posted was a real eye opener for me. I remember the soldiers and their families as they all sacrifice for our way of life.
It was certainly interesting to learn about my family history. I talked to my dad about this today. He told me my grandfather served as a corporal in WWII-fighting on the allied side. My grandfather was a compassionate human being and a devoted father who had 8 children and a wonderful wife that he supported. He passed away in 1993 and I unfortunately never got to meet him. I regret not flying down when I had chance-but learning about his life and posting this in his memory is wonderful way of honoring him.
My husband and I were previewing a Canadian Film Board movie for his history class. The subject was about women from WW1 who worked in factories and took the place of men when they went to war. We couldn’t believe our eyes when, right in front of us was Grandma Cooper being interviewed about when she was a very young girl and having to work in the factory. It was great to see her again as she passed away about 10 years ago at the age of 99.
My Father-in-law was 21 years old just left boot camp and his first mission was to land on Juno Beach in the Invasion of Normandy, D-Day. He was in the second wave one of 14,000. Just prior to hitting the beach one of the twin motors went and they found themselves circling and in grave danger. It was my father-in-law (at 21 years of age) who figured out how to make the ship steer straight and land safely on the beach to complete their mission. Although he was sucessful in his mission and in his life till the age of 78, he lost two of his buddies and very rarely discussed this time in his life as it was too painful to discuss. He was a very proud Canadian and his son, my husband is just as proud to be a Canadian as I am. We are very proud and gratefully for all the men and women that bravely serve our country so we can live the lives we live today.
I have attached a link for those who are interested in reading more on D-Day History.
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/06/02/f-dday-history.html
Least we forget.
Last week when I was in the checkout line at the grocery store there was a man wearing his Military clothing. A lady approached him and gave him a gift card for the grocery store telling him how much she appreciated his service to our Country. He took the gift card from the woman and was happy to have been recognized and I thought it was a nice gesture on her part.
I think it’s amazing that these people put there lives on the line for us everday, we should honour them everday of the year, not just one day.
I really love how the poppy tradition still holds today and it is a symbol that even children can wonder and learn about.
My great Uncle was a student in Grade nine when the nazi’s entered his school in Austria took him, and forced him to work in a munitions factory until he was old enough to fight. They worked them so hard that one night he fell asleep on the roof of the munitions factory. The next morning he awoke to find half of the factory gone from a bombing raid and had never even woke up.
Nobody in my family served in the military. Every remembrance day, I remember how this day was celebrated every year in elementary school. I remember how we would have a moment of silence, and recite the poem “in flanders fields”, we’d go to the library and watch videos of Canada’s history and war heroes. It was ingrained that remembrance day is a day to remember our fallen heroes, who fought for our freedom.
I do not have any members in the army or have been in the army but many relatives who lived in Holland during the 2nd world war and surving that. Our thoughts go to the many many families who have lost loved ones in any war our world is at.
I have a girl friend’s boyfriend working in the military. He has to be up by 5 a.m. and stay up past 11 p.m. for different military routines and physical trainings. Each time when the boy friend has to leave my girl friend, they have to learn to adjust to the “temporary” separation. And when the guy comes back, he has to learn to adapt to the city rhythm. As you can tell it’s not an easy life for them and for all the military families and couples.
I have a lot of respect for the people that were / are in the military, especially for those who fight the wars.
It’s amazing how many people are/were in the military, and you’d never know it. I met a friend of my dad’s last week collecting donations for poppies in Costco.
It’s always surprising to find out that someone you know has veteran’s plates on their cars.
I thank the troops for serving their country and protecting all of us.
This past summer, we traveled to Europe for 3 weeks. While we were there, we visited the WW1 memorials at Passendale and Vimmy Ridge. We also visited the WW1 museum in Ypres and witnessed the laying of the wreaths. It really put a new meaning to remembrance day. I now can imagine a little better what it would be like to live, fight, die in those trenches of Vimmy, or the mud feild of Passendale.
Lest we Forget.
Billy
My next door neighbor is a veteran. He has talked about his experiences and his old friends. He told me that for years after he came home he wasnt able to leave his house due to panic attacks. Over the years it has gotten better, but its still something he deals with daily.
I felt really empty, at school during the moment of silence for our remembrance day assembly. I didn’t think of anyone… since I didn’t know anyone who went to war. Instead I remembered all the pictures in my history textbook. A lot of my friends went out to eat food and celebrated birthdays on rememberance day. I think that’s not right, they should take time to remmeber those in the war even though they too must not know anyone since we’re 2nd generation kids. i still think rememberance day is really important.
I’m sure that I have someone who served in WWI or II, but sadly, those stories have not been passed on, as my only surviving relatives are aunts and uncles who were born around WWII, so therefore did not serve themselves.
I heard today that are about as many living veterans as there are those who have died, the average age being 86 years old. There will be one day when we will no longer have veterans from these WWs, and only those who have served in recent battlefields like Afghanistan. There may not be another WW, but I am saddened to think that we may never escape the sound and death of war.
My oldest son is 4 years old and is of the age to understand what war is. Remembrance Day is chance to share with him that war is a true reality, outside of books and movies, with real people who face real danger. I intend to show him what Remembrance Day is about each year, remind him to think and pray about the many people who have allowed us to live where we live, in our houses, free from turmoil, so we can go to work and school and enjoy life as we know it.
I’m thankful for all the soldiers who have given their lives for peace in this world.
When I was in air cadets, as a teen, I was one of five cadets to participate in a particular Remembrance Day ceremony. Of all the drills and ceremonies that any of us 5 ever took part in, it was the one that was most important for us: that we were most proud to be a part of, we were more conscientious of our movement during and we just overall wanted to get more right than any other. At the ceremony we listened to a few stories the veterans shared and I don’t believe that anyone there was able to hold back the tears and I sobbed as I laid the reef that I’d carried. After the ceremony my fellow cadets and I were invited to a legion hall to play a few games of pool with some of the veterans. That day is one of my most vivid memories of being in cadets.
My grandpa survived the Bataan Death March during WW2. I read an article that he was made to count the dead bodies. Just knowing that he survived through all that tells me how strong he really is.
Growing up my dad never talked about the war. In his final years he told us a few humorous stories but never talked to much of the horrific things. But I saw many a tear fall on Remembrance Day from him.
My grandpa was in the military… he was always very serious afterward and never said much…as kids we were kinda scared of him, but now (we think, we )understand what he must have gone through.
My mothers father died during WWII while serving in the military, and is buried at Groesbeek (Canadian War Cemetery) in Holland. Growing up my mother always wanted to take us to Holland to see her fathers grave site but could never afford it. A few years ago my husband and I visited Groesbeek and my grandfathers grave while travelling in Europe. I took with me photos of my grandfathers children and grandchildren and left them at the grave, it is truly one of most memorable things I have done, always to be remembered on Remembrance Day. I look forward to the day when I can take my daughter to Groesbeek to “meet” her great-grandfather.
My paternal grandfather served in the First World War, under the auspices of the Austro-Hungarian army, since he was from Ukraine, and that is the empire the home country was under at the time.
He was wounded in Italy, went back to Ukraine to recover, and finish the rest of his military duty.
Fortunately for me, he decided to emigrate to Canada in the late 1920s – so my Dad came here when he was nine years old.
My Dad was a teacher at the time of WWII, so didn’t go overseas, but was in the forces and was trained as a medic.
Remembrance Day was a very important observance to us as a family growing up, and now with my own family.
It’s simply because of the freedom we have, because of sacrifices others have made.
Although I don’t know anyone related to me who served in the military, I did however had a chance to visit a graveyard of those who fought in a war internationally. When I saw graveyard in front of me, it made me think, that these people have fought bravely for those who will live past them and now that they have done their part, what are we doing for those will come after us. It makes you really think about your own actions and wonder do they really help change people’s lives in this world.
I am so thankful to those friends that I still have that are fighting today for my freedom and to those that came before me like my Grandfather. Last year I joined the Royal Canadian Legion as an associate member and in doing so I needed to prove that I had a relative that partook in the army. In searching the internet for records I actually found a copy of the document that my Grandfather signed registering him for World War I. I look at that paper often to remind me of the sacrifices he made for me and my children.
I think the best thing to say is : Thank you !
We were in the Middle East during the Gulf War and my father was posted at the American Air Base that was the biggest target in the city of Riyadh. Everyday , as we went to school ( yes school was still on) with gas masks around our necks rather than water bottles, Dad would give us the biggest hugs and remind us that we were family and that we would have to stick together no matter what. We didnt understand it then, but we know now that it was becasue everyday he left home, not knowing if he would ever come back. I value my family, as he was a freedom fighter also during Pakistan Bangladesh Seperation, and all my uncles who fought for their country. No matter what country it is, those in the military need to be honored everyday of the year. Lest we Forget!!!
My grandfather and his brothers served in WW2. One of his brothers was killed over there. I always remember that each year. How very sad it must have been for the returning brothers knowing they weren’t all coming home together.
We will remember.
My girlfriend is in Cadets, and wore her uniform to university a few years back on Remembrance day. As she was walking home in the snow that day, a mom in a minivan pulled up beside her and offered her a ride. My friend said she felt an immediate connection with this woman, and decided that it would be okay to take the ride. So my friend got into the van with this lady and her kids. And the lady burst into tears. She told my friend that she was so thankful and so respectful of those who are (and were) in the military and involved with protecting our country. She said that when she saw my friend walking, it reminded her of her father that she lost in the war, and giving her a ride was the least she could do to thank her for putting on her uniform that day and making a proud statement about our freedom, our country, and the men close to her heart that helped to give those to us.
I was very proud to be her friend when she told me this touching story.
Thanks for sharing all your stories! I read as many as I could & they brought tears to my eyes!
I already posted near the top, but wanted to thank everyone at SC too!
Such warm & caring people & I love coming the SC site!
Thanks, CarlyinCanada
My Gido fought in WW2. She didn’t talk about it much, but apparently while stationed in Germany one of his army buddies went out with a German girl who turned out to be a Nazi decoy. She lured him out and the Nazis killed him. Hard to believe that was less than a century ago! Every remmbrance day I think about the great dedication and selflessness it took for my Gido and other military people to risk their lives overseas for the better good.
My family has a long history of Navy men. My great uncle who fought in WW2 lost his right arm which was also his dominant hand. He started building a model ship while still at war from a piece of wood that he carved by hand with a knife. After the war, with his left hand, managed to complete the ship. Sails, ropes and every possible littel detail, including staining the sails with coffee to get them just the right color. My father, also a Navy officer, inherited the ship and brushed of the dust and repaired and touched up the paint. He brought it to the Museum of Science and Tech here in Ottawa that had a large collection of War models at the time and they wanted it to keep there, however, the honor and history behind it will keep it on the mantel until my dad takes his last breath.
Navy Pride
Natasha
We not only need to remember the brave souls who were forced to go to battle, but also the innocent civilians, especially children, who lost their lives due to the evils of war that has prevailed for many centuries. God rest their souls.
I am actually mad this Remembrance Day. It is complete hypocracy that we ‘treasure’ our times of peace and yet stand beside the Americans in a war over resources – I mean “the war on terror”. God bless the souls for those lost who knew not what they fought for.
With a middle school age child, my wife and I ensure our family always takes time to remember at the 11th minute, 11th hour, 11th day, of the 11th month. We know that the lives we lead are a direct result of the ultimate sacrifice made by those who came before us. How ever small, the time we take to remember and educate our son ensures that future generations will never forget.
Pageone
I am one of the lucky ones who gets Nov 11 off from work.
Even though I do not have an relatives who served in the war, I do reflect and think about how lucky we are that Canada is safe and free. I think about all the soldiers that have & are risking their lives everyday. I have to say that November 11 should be a stat holiday forall Canadians as many other countries have a day off in November for mourning the dead.
My mother in law just found out that the father that raised her was not her biological father – it was her biological father’s brother. Her biological father was killed during WWII. She is 65 years old and has lived most of her life believing the father who raised her was her real dad.
My Papa was in the airforce during WWII. He was one of the lucky ones that did not die in battle. He passed away in 2000, but when I was a kid, I used to love when he would tell me stories about being in the war. It really made me appreciate what the men and women in uniform go thru day in and day out to keep our freedom the way it is today. I appreciate the contributions of the many men and women who have sacrificed themselves in our past to make Canada what it is today, as well as those who continue to do so in order to try and achieve world peace.
Dayle
Yesterday I attended a ceremony at my childs school. They played a special song to all those that served our country. Four candles were lit, to represent the North, South, West and East. When I bowed my head for 2 minutes of silence, chills ran through my body. I could almost hear the cries from those soldiers so long ago. When I opened my eyes and looked up a tear streamed down my face. Too many people have died in our wars. Why can’t we live in love and peace. Haven’t we learned anything yet.
My grandfather served in WWII. Growing up my father said he never talked about the war and never too part in rememberance day ceremonies. His children grew up and had kids of their own (his grandkids). As we grew up he talked a bit more about the war. He told us then that he was still haunted by it all. 50 years later, my grandfather was still haunted by what he saw and heard. He went to his grave still remembering the awfulness of it all. He readily admits he came back from the war a changed man. I have 2 brothers who are reservists. My grandfather, despite everything, was immensely proud of his 2 grandkids who are serving our country (one of my brothers was over in afghanistan already).
my husband wrote this poem over 30 years ago and I thought I would share it.
There isnt a Medal
You’re coming home soldier
the battle is won
you’ve changed into civies
and turned in your gun.
You left as a boy
returned home as a man
what hardships you endured
over in Vietnam.
What can we say
or what can we do?
perhaps give you a medal
maybe even two.
Yet there isnt a medal
that can express how we feel
for the buddies you lost
whose young lives are now still.
I just wanted to share that. It is so hard for me to understand the sacrifices made, the losses endured, the loniless, seperation from families and so much more that the soldiers endure for our freedom no matter which war they were in ….. I just want to take the time and say THANK YOU.
I do not know who has been in the war but I feel very sorry for the loss of people. It is good to see people wearing poppies and remembering the heroes.
The most fitting “quote” I have heard is “If you can’t stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them” Bravo! God Bless our Troops wherever they may be.
I don’t have anybody who seved in the military but I have to give my love and gratitude for those you did.
My 10 year old daughter came home after a ceremony at school telling me that there was a veteran who played the bagpipes for them. He had been stationed in artillery in the war and lost his hearing. A few kids who were standing close to the loud bagpipes wanted to put their fingers in their ears, and the comparison of what he went through and gave up, and that these kids could not put up with a loud noise for a few minutes, struck me.
My grandfather was in WWI, I believe he was a Staff Sergeant that fought in the trenches of France. In the war memorial in his home town (Grand Falls-Windsor NF), there is a map that has blood on it. The story goes that my grandfather and a captain (it think) were both up the map deciding on a route to take to their next destination when a German sniper shot and killed the captain. It really makes you think of all the sacrifices that these brave men and women gave for our country. God bless all of them.
*edit: “were both holding up the map…”
About two years ago, the CTV specialty channel travel + escape was offered as a free preview by Rogers. The program Valerie Pringle Has Left the Building was on and it so happened that Valerie was visiting Singapore, a country I would like to visit one day. I had to watch it.
It turned out that Singapore wasn’t the only destination featured on that episode. Valerie took a scenic train ride through Malaysia and Thailand. As she travelled along the Bridge on the River Khwae in Thailand, she got off to visit a Second World War cemetery.
Beside each tombstone stood a small flag that identified the nationality of the fallen soldier. It’s when I saw the countless number of tombstones fill up the entire field that really brought home the brutality of WWII in Asia. I remember seeing many many American flags and a few British ones accompanying the tombstones, but there were no Canadian flags. Valerie took the time to read out a few of the soldiers’ names and placed a flower in front of each grave.
I’m grateful to have seen that episode of Valerie Pringle Has Left the Building. In my high school days there wasn’t much of a focus of WWII in Asia. In retrospect, I think there was more of a Eurocentric study of WWII. I don’t know if what I experienced differs from today’s high school history curriculum, or if it differs from province to province, or country to country. But I believe it’s important for Canadian students to know the sacrifices ALL Allied soldiers made in other continents besides Europe. Only then will they receive the full impact of the horrors of the Second World War.
May we never forget.
I don’t really know anyone who has served in the military, but I do remember back in elementary school every Remembrance Day we would all go out to the front lawn of the school and have a huge ceremony, with poems and speeches from some of the veterans. It was always one of my favourite days and they would also have people sing beautiful songs and it was just such a powerful feeling, having hundreds of people come together and celebrate such a special day.
“Praising what is lost makes the remembrance dear.”
– William Shakespeare
Soldiers dying, people crying, families torn apart,
No one happy, everyone snappy, people with broken hearts,
The war is over! Hooray! Rejoicing! Everyone smiling, happy at last,
But wait, what of the soldiers who died, people who cried, the ones who feared, who shed a tear,
The soldiers? They’re buried with a cross over their head,
The people? Still crying, their hearts are dying, and sometimes they wish they were dead,
So, on Remembrance Day, remember the soldiers, the families, the people, remember the things they did for our life, our future.
Remember them.
I don’t have a war story, however I respect and admire those men and women that are fighting for us each and everyday. God Bless them and keep them safe until they return home!
My dad served in the military in world War II and my father-in-law served in the Navy and they both often told us stories of their amazing experiences during the war. They are both no longer with us but on Remberance Day, I always pray and think of them and remember the true courage and love they showed not only for their country but for us and others to allow us to live in a free and democratic society. Bless all of the men and women who are risking their lifes for us each and every day.
All but one of my grandparents lived in Holland during WWII. They did not serve in the military, but their respect for the work done by soldiers from this country will never be forgotten by their children, grandchildren or great grandchildren. Without their sacrifices my family would not be able to call themselves citizens of Canada. We are so grateful for all who gave their lives and for those who didn’t give their lives, but gave so much of their hearts to fighting evil. I would also like to recognize those (especially the young women) who gave their hearts and their time to support the people of Holland with medical help and dietary help after the war. For those living in the big cities such as Amsterdam there was no food, there was no medical care and there was no such thing as cleanliness. The medical brigades came and provided the people with food and medical care when there was no hope. Their legacy will live forever with the people of Holland and their decendants.
Thank you!
I had a grandfather who serve in WWII but unfortunately, he passed when I was very young. I do have pictures of him serving during this time but I wish i could have shared more of his memories. With those pictures, I can empathise with all of us having lost one or more special people in our family/community during WWII.
Please let us remember those who served and let us be blessed by having wonderful memories of them.
While living in Kingston, I met a few individuals from the military base. While chatting with one friend who was on way to his second trip to Afghanistan a couple of years ago, he expressed how proud he was to be part of the mission. Whatever I thought of the mission didn’t seem to matter when I was speaking to this lovely young man – here was a man who was willing to sacrifice his life because he was dedicated to his country and committed to making the lives of others, who are as fortunate as we are, better. Living in the world today, we need Remembrance day more than ever.
Its great feeling if you have someone in Army, Air Force or Navy…I am proud that i have few family members in all the three fields..My grandfather, My uncles , My cousins…those who are not with us physically i pray for them and those who are serving also give strenghth and courage..May God bless all!!
I do not have family in the military nor do I know anyone who is.
I was at the Raptors game last night and before the game started they had a little ceremony to remember those that fought in the past and those fighting now. It was remarkable to see stadium fall silent and also the Lieutenant that sang both the American and Canadian national anthem. The ACC lit up so nicely with white and red and the canadian flag.
My Dad was in the British Royal Navy during WW 2. He was a proud Newfoundlander and Nfld wasn’t part of Canada then. He joined up the day Britian declared war. He was just 18 years old. Hw was lucky enough to come home but lost many good friends. He didn’t like to speak of the war but would sometimes tell us funny stories. My favorite was the one where he, on a dare, sat at the foot of Nelson’s Column in Trafalger Square in London and ate black puddings and beer from a chamberpot! He got arrested and thrown in the brig for that one! He’s been gone a few years now and I miss him dearly but every Rememberence Day I think of him with love and pride.
Something I wanted to share:-
Heroes
By Jared Jenkins
In war, there are lives risked and lives taken
Men and women giving their best to defend what they love
They defend their country
Their honor
Their people
Some call them soldiers
Others call them heroes
Our veterans have risked their lives for us
They have lived through hell and fought with honor
Many have killed
And regret doing so
For every life, there is a soul
For every soul, there is a life
For those who have died, we show great appreciation and remembrance
For those who live, along with them live the horrific memories of battle
Some, memories of defeat
Some, memories of victory
Our veterans were more than soldiers
They were, and still are heroes
God Bless them and their families.
i have no one to tell a story about but at our home we always make time to talk about how people sacraficed to make our country a better place. it is very important to teach my children how we came to live in a great country
Not a sad story here but I do remember when I was very little my grandfather told me he was in the underground railroad in WWII in Denmark before my family emigrated to Canada in the 50’s. Since he didn’t talk much to me about his war experience, as I was too young, I always had an image of him as a conductor on a subway type train. I do understand now that he helped people flee from neighboring Germany and I will forever be proud of his humanitarisim, may he rest in peace.
Thank you to all those who risks their lives for our country. Let us remember all those who have passed and those still fighting for peace
My brother-in-law served in 2 Canadian peacekeeping missions; 1 in Cyprus and 1 in the middle East. Our veterans deserve our thanks and remembrance for their selfless sacrifice.
My story takes place in a small town in Italy during the German occupation. My mom and her sisters were forced by the German soldiers to go work in the fields and pick the harvest, tidy up and prepare meals. They were usually very demanding and tough on them. My aunt who was quite slow (MID) was always so anxious and scared. My mom remembers one particular German soldier who was kind and understanding. My aunt passed away about 10 years ago but I wish I could thank this soldier because it just reinforced that there are a lot of wonderful people in this world despite all the suffering. Any war is horrific and senseless but I have the greatest respect for our soldiers, especially those who demonstrate the admirable qualities and morals of a decent, caring human being.
I don’t have any personal stories, but am very grateful for all those who risked their lives to fight for our freedom
My dad told me about his Grandfather who was in the Polish army during WW2. As it went the group he was in, was on the way to the base to get their weapons and get ready, but when they got there it was too late. Even though they didn’t know it yet the Germans had already taken over and killed everyone there. So when their vehicle pulled up they were stopped and told to get out. They got out and were lined up against a wall and all shot to death, with no way of protecting themselves. Later my dads dad found out( at the time he was 19 years old) and wanted to join but couldn’t it was to late he was taken by the Germans and forced to build their tanks very luck to have lived most of the people who ended up making the tanks for the Germans were all killed.
So I would like to thank all the soldiers from way back then and from now.
I have served my country by enlisting in the military. I have friends who are still in the military. I have only one thing to say: “Lest we forget.”
My uncle Yvon Ouellette from Quebec volunteered and joined the British army at the beginning of WWII. His father had been a sergeant in WWI and I guess he was anxious to follow in his dad’s footsteps. Yvon served throughout the war and survived despite being on the front lines. He stayed in Europe and continued serving for a while after the war ended. Upon his return to Quebec there was a large family celebration picnic on the banks of the Saguenay river. He and his wife went for a quiet canoe ride on the river. The canoe tipped over and they both fell into the water. His wife couldn’t swim and although Yvon was an expert swimmer, she panicked, took hold of him and they both drowned. This story has stayed with me as a lesson in the sad ironies of life. That a man could survive for years in a dangerous battle situation, then meet his end during a happy peaceful loving celebration in honor of his return.
How can I respond to one of these entries? I’m related to her and want to share info I have regarding my uncle.
This for # 47, Alexa. If your father was Charles, well, he was my uncle. I have a letter from Uncle Jarvis you might enjoy reading. Please respond.
Wow, didn’t realize you could get this on the web now, saved me a trip to my advisor – Need more blogs like this here