Remembrance Day/Veterans Day

As we know to-day 11 November is Remeberance Day in Canada, Veterans Day in the U.S. It is a day to reflect and honour our Military Dead. It has been said that we Canadians are a gentler, more compassionate breed of Americans, this may be so but we are also Warriors when the need arises. As a Nation not 50 years old we rallied to the colours in 1914 and for 4 long horrendeous years fought in the trenches and mud of France and Belgium and left 60,000 of our young men forever entombed in that ravaged land.

A generation later after what was to be the "War to end all Wars" we answered the call again, this time for 6 long bitter years from Hong Kong to Dieppe, Sicily, Italy, Normandy, The Netherlands and finally Germany leaving 40,000 more of our sons and daughters to join their comrades. In 1950 we answered the call again put out by the U.N. and fought to stop communist exspansion in Korea. Over 500 of our men and women are buried there. In 1956 acting on the proposal brought forth by Canadas' Ambassador to the U.N., Lester B. Pearson, the Peacekeepers were formed and Canada led the way.

Since the founding of the Peacekeepers 104 Canadians have died trying to preserve the peace. Now we are engaged in Afghanistan and to date 97 of our young men and women have paid the ulitimate price. We are not a warrior nation we do not wage agressive war nor seek to conquer others but if the cause is just and our help is needed we are there ready and willing to do what is required.

To-day is Rememberance Day a day to Honour our Fallen but it is and should be more than that. It is a day to remember that we enjoy the life and freedoms we have because all those years ago our young men and women knew the threat that others posed and were willing to stand in harms way and say no to the agressors. It is a day to be proud of our accomplishments and that we are Canadians.
We are not a big nation as nations' go and we are reluctant to boast but we have every right to hold our heads high for we have done our part and will continue when the need arises to do so.


"LEST WE FORGET"

Camac.

Bless all of you who serve. The fallen will never be forgotten. Thank you all for posting these wonderful poems. Slainte

This song Sgt. Mackenzie by Clann An Drumma was used in the movie We Were Soldiers and is written after Joe Mackenzies great grandfather. I thought this was appropriate for today being Veterans Day.


Artist: Joseph Kilna Mackenzie Lyrics
Song: Sgt. Mackenzie Lyrics

Original Scottish Version

Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun
Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

When they come a wull staun ma groon
Staun ma groon al nae be afraid

Thoughts awe hame tak awa ma fear
Sweat an bluid hide ma veil awe tears

Ains a year say a prayer faur me
Close yir een an remember me

Nair mair shall a see the sun
For a fell tae a Germans gun

Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

Lay me doon in the caul caul groon
Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun

Whaur afore monie mair huv gaun


English Translation

Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone

When they come I will stand my ground
Stand my ground I’ll not be afraid

Thoughts of home take away my fear
Sweat and blood hide my veil of tears
Once a year say a prayer for me
Close your eyes and remember me

Never more shall I see the sun
For I fell to a Germans gun

Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone
Lay me down in the cold cold ground
Where before many more have gone

Where before many more have gone

In memory of Sgt. Charles Stuart MacKenzie
Seaforth Highlanders
Who along with many others gave up his life
So that we can live free

We will remember them

Aside from Vimy Ridge, where in WWI Canadian forces captured more ground and prisoners than in any previous Allied offensive, it's well to remember the Princess Patricia's Light Infantry at Kapyong Korea. All of the U.N. forces were in full retreat, but even though completely surrounded, the Princess Pat's held the North Koreans and Chinese at bay for three days (including calling in artillery on their own position three times), preventing the fall of Seoul. President Truman had already declared that the fall of Seoul would be the trigger point for the release of nuclear weapons in Korea; therefore Canada, in a very real sense, prevented a nuclear war. Canada's special forces unit, JTF2, was awarded an American Presidential Unit Citation for their service in Afghanistan. Don't ever dismiss Canada as mere peacekeepers.

"Lest we forget", indeed!

Gentlemen,

Again thank you for the touching and wonderful stories of courage that you wrote.
It is proof that we do not forget and should never forget all the sacrifices in the name of freedom.

Rindy, thank you for this deep moving video and especially the music from this great band Clan an Drumma, indeed it is so appropriate for the day of remembrance of the ones that have fallen and also the ones that are still on duties around the world to keep the peace.

Memorables tributes that you have all contributed generously in this thread.

Lest we forget.

Thank you.

LOA

As Remembrance Day/Veterans Day comes to a close I wish to take a moment to reflect on the relationship between our two Nations. We have always had our differences and will in the future but them what good neighbours haven't.The only major difference we had was 196 years ago and even to-day we can't agree who won that one.

The one thing that did come out of it was it helped define who and what we both are. Canadians fought in your Civil War (on both sides) in WW1 & WW11 Americans in their hundreds came North to join our forces long before The U.S. officially became involved. We fought to-gether under the U.N. in Korea and at least 40,000 Canadians served in your military in Viet Nam ( I being one).

Over the years we have argued and griped and at time not really like each other but when it came to the crunch we have been there for each other . When you were attacked on 9/11 our hearts and our resources went out to you and we stand this day to-gether in Afghanistan. To my American Comrades both Vets and those serving I say Bless you all and may the Creator watch over both our great Nations.

Camac.

In memory of my father, Earl Thomas Dion, a veteran of the Battle of Britain, who taught my brother and me to recite "In Flanders Fields" every year on November 11th.

We attended the Traditional 21 Gun Salute Remembrance Day Ceremony to honour all who have fought for our freedom & those who are still out there in the battlefields. The atmosphere while being there...when the Canons shake your inner core as they're fired & gunpowder waifting through the air stinging your nostrils; one still cannot fathom what those men & women went through to save our Country. I have posted some pictures in my Photo Gallery. I know that the day has past but I also shot some video which I am still trying to figure out how to edit to fit 3MB so I can post it.

I feel this day is to remember all that have served and all that do serve (dead and alive). All that serve do so for there country and those that live in them, to hold our freedom above all else and to keep us free from oppression and tyranny(spelling). They do so with disregard to there own lives knowing at anytime there lives can be taken for that greater good.
I have taught my son's and teach my grandchildren not just Veterans Day but everyday two little words to say anytime they see someone in uniform " Thank You" and all tho those that serve do not expect it, it is these two words that can completely change there day and let them know someone does appreciate them being there for us.

I have received many emails this year saying to do the sign from sign-language for thank you to all that serve, for those that don't know as I did not," You put the palm of your right hand on your left collar bone with your arm on your chest and elbow resting on your stomach, keep your elbow on you stomach and let your hand and arm fall away from your body" thats all there is to it.

God bless all that do and all that have served.

( sorry for any grammeric errors I was a soldier, not a professor)

Veteran's Day, as well as, Memorial Day have always been important to my family growing-up. My father retired a Chief Master Sergeant in the Air Force, having served 23 years.

I started playing the pipes and drums at age 14. Not long after becoming a piper, the funerals for the old guys in the Saint Andrew's Society began. All of these wonderful men were all former military, either Scottish or American. I was taught the meaning of Honor & Respect at an early age.

I, myself, did not have the privilege of serving; 3rd degree flat feet I tried three times to enlist, but was given a PDQ (Permanent Disqualification) each time. So, I decided that I would find other ways to "serve".

I was brought on-board with the Alabama State Troopers at 16 or 17, as a piper. During the next 3 years I played many funerals, including a few KIAs. I continued to to play for Army and Air Force "Dinings In" as often as possible.

I became a National Registry Paramedic, and practiced pre-hospital medicine in several states, for about 13 years. During this time, I continued providing piping for anyone killed in the line of duty, as well as, performing at the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, and starting a Department of Public Safety honor Guard in Palm Beach, Florida.

I have my own group now (Teton & District Performing Arts). It has an ever-growing number of young people in it. I teach them the meaning of Honor & Respect, and they serve well, when needed, for those who gave all.

Regards,



Attached Image. (Click thumbnail to expand)