I’ve written about Remembrance Day here before, such as Remembrance Day Remembered…..Silence Is Golden….And A Time To Think:
Yesterday was Remembrance Day. Like most Canadians I took time at 11 am to give a moment of silence to remember our veterans….especially those who had died in previous wars, trying to defend our country. I am opposed to war; most people are I think. But our country is what it is today because of the efforts of Canadian men and women who fought for this country through various conflicts such as the two World Wars and in Korea. My Dad was a WWII vet, having served in the Royal Canadian Navy. He never really talked much about the war. But I know he was involved on several Atlantic convoys, and even in the Normandy (he manned landing craft bringing troops onto the beaches). My Dad recently passed away (and many of the WWII surviving vets are in their 80s or 90s, so those still alive are certainly not going to be around forever; and there is only one or two WWI vets left alive; we need to honour and remember these men and women, especially now as much as at any time). I think it’s important to remember those that chose to serve Canada, doing what they thought was best for their country. Just as those who do so today in Afghanistan.
I was in Toronto for part of the day and returned home on the GO train. As we left Union Station, the GO Customer Service Rep asked us to take a minute’s silence to remember our veterans and those currently serving in our Armed Forces. It was after 4:15 pm and some young folks on board commented that “Why we should we have to do this again????”….an older passenger sitting next to them simply suggested they be quiet and respect the others who were taking a minute of silence. They became quiet. But I wonder if they realized that they do have things to be thankful for and possibly even to remember too. Perhaps they will think of that more next year on Nov.11th….while other Canadian families are reminded of such things on a daily basis….especially those families with loved ones currently overseas.
A moment of silence is always a good way to reflect on important things….one of the things I love about paddling a canoe solo on a northern lake….alone with my thoughts. We don’t take time to reflect enough….to have a quiet time to think to ourselves….being outdoors can be a place for that. But whether you’re outside or on a GO train being asked to take a minute of silence, I hope you took time yesterday to think about our vets. And I hope you might think of them during the rest of the year as well. Any way, I hope you get some time to also reflect on this and anything else important.
Some of our First Nations people who fought for this country never got much honour for having done so….many lost their status for fighting for Canada….became ‘displaced’….
One online source worth checking out is Native Soldiers, Foreign Battlefields: The Wartime Contribution of Canada’s First Peoples. It opens with a few quotes by veterans:
“The war proved that the fighting spirit of my tribe was not squelched through reservation life. When duty called, we were there, and when we were called forth to fight for the cause of civilization, our people showed all the bravery of our warriors of old.” - Mike Mountain Horse, First World War veteran.
“Being from a reservation and barely able to speak English … it was a sudden integration. It was a shock. I was stunned for two or three months while taking basic training.” – Peter Whitecloud, Second World War veteran.
“On our way to Korea, I was outside on the ship standing on the rail just thinking about home and why I had to leave home. Yet, I was very glad I joined the army because my father was in the First World War. My brother was in World War Two and I thought I might as well join the army, too.” – Allan Bird, Korean War veteran.
Another online source worth checking out is Thomas Prince: Canada’s Forgotten Aboriginal War Hero. For more on Tommy Prince, Canada’s most decorated Aboriginal soldier to date, see Thomas George Prince October 1915 – November 25, 1977. Here is a quote from this article, which shows how imprtant to Tommy his fellow veterans were:
….Tommy Prince said of his fellow veterans: “They were a great bunch of guys. I’m here because they kept me safe and brought me home.”
Remembrance Day. Like most Canadians I will take time at 11 am to give a moment of silence to remember our veterans….especially those who had died in previous wars, trying to defend our country. I am opposed to war; most people are I think. But our country is what it is today because of the efforts of Canadian men and women who fought for this country through various conflicts such as the two World Wars and in Korea.
My Dad was a WWII vet, having served in the Royal Canadian Navy. He never really talked much about the war. But I know he was involved on several Atlantic convoys, and even in the Normandy (he manned landing craft bringing troops onto the beaches). My Dad passed away a few years ago….and he is on my mind a lot….but even more so on Remembrance Day. He was often part of local Remembrance Day events.
A picture of my Dad taken while he was in the service:
I thought I would share a letter written by my Dad the day before D-Day:
So on Remembrance Day I will remember my Dad….and all of the veterans….lest we not forget:
“They are not dead who live in the hearts they leave behind.” - Native American Proverb
So this November 11th….wherever you are….I hope you take time to pay respect….and to remember….
