Lest we Forget

[ChanceSchmerr]

Remembrance/Veteran's Day.

November 11th

It means very different things to different people.

To most, it means thinking back to those who served in wars we read about in the History books - The Great War, World War II, The Korean War, Vietnam War. Those brave men and women and their heroic sacrifices deserve our reverence, respect and appreciation, no question.

For me, I think not only of those heroes of old, but of today's veterans as well. Men and Women who served in wars/conflicts of recent memory, for the same reasons our ancestors served - protecting freedom, justice and restoring peace. Conflicts in Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Former Yugoslavia, and elsewhere around the world - these wars have left scars on their veterans, both visible and deep below the surface, and have ended the lives of far too many around the world. Those who serve in uniform in these trouble spots the world over are veterans too - and they deserve the same respect that we grant to those who fought in days past.

Is this self-serving, because I am in uniform today? I don't think so - technically with my service off the Libyan and Syrian coast last summer, I am a "veteran" - but I don't consider myself so, certainly not in the same class as my brothers in arms who have fought and died in Kandahar and elsewhere. I just believe that today is a day to remember not just our distant past, but also our present and future - those who forget their history are doomed to repeat it.

Last year, I spent Remembrance Day in Souda Bay, Crete. I attended a service about our ship, and afterwards I ventured into Chania by myself. I brought a cigar and a flask of my favorite scotch, and I spent a quiet afternoon alone in the town, thinking of my own ancestors who fought in World War II, of the conflict I had recently seen, and trying to make sense of it all in my own mind, all while honoring my past comrades in arms in much the same way they would have - with a good cigar and a fine scotch. We all have our own ways of honoring those who have fallen for us - this was mine.

To those who served their country and fellow men and women, those who have laid down their lives, and those who have returned with their spirits broken and lives forever changed.....

We Will Remember Them

Je Me Souviens.

[Puros Y Vino]

Well said. The ceremonies in Toronto included some WWII flying machines. I couldn't get a glimpse from where I was but I think it was a Lancaster bomber and a Spitfire or two. They've flown these past few years. You don't forget that sound.

[kiwiman911]

I when to France last year and visited Normandie, I saw Juno beach our beach and visited the center. It had lost of info and great guides to help us. When I left I was not the same person after seing and earing about this event.

We may or may not be for our presence in armed conflict around the world, but our fighting men and women deserve our loyalty ,our support, and our respect for the sacrifice they have made and are still making for us.

Thank you Veterans

Erik

Je me souviens

we will remember Them

[OZCUBAN]

Exactly ,Chris .

Lest we forget

We owe them all so much

OZ

[CaptainQuintero]

I still find it hard to get my head around that industrial scale slaughter and the conditions soldiers as young as 15 lived and died in. Truly one of the World's darkest times.

R.I.P not only to the thirty four from my family that I know of who left for France and Belgium and didn't return but all who took part in that pointless war.

For The Fallen

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years contemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them

[AverageJoe83]

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.

[PigFish]

Thanks for posting Chris.

Two thanks for serving. God bless you my brother and friend. -R

[Rushman]

this is one of my favorite quotes: "

As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.: JFK

not just this day, but each and every day, may God bless those that serve and those that have served our nation and let us never forget those that gave the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation.

[headstand]

Thank you Chris for your service on my behalf - and may this heartfelt gratitude flow to all who have, are now, and will in the future place their love of justice ahead of their own personal welfare and safety.

Lest we forget.

[Vcool]

I agree that Juno is a life changing experience. I was there about 5 years ago, and walked out to the water's edge. The emotions of it are so hard to put in to words, standing there, thinking how decades ago my grandfather was in the same position, in an entirely different circumstance. He landed on Juno in one of the first traditional tanks on the beach, landing in the first hour, 15 years old (he had been kicked out twice already for being too young) and never having ventured too far from his community. He was one of over a hundred thousand, all with their own stories before, and all there for the same reason.

I always end up reading this article from the Rocky Mountain News for Remembrance Day. It won a Pulitzer, and in my opinion it was well deserved. I find it a quite difficult article to read, but amazing nevertheless. A little late for remembrance day this year, but it's not about just one day.

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/special-reports/final-salute/

[canadaleaf]

[Squarehead]

Well said Chris,now if only our Governments would live up to their duties and treat the veterans as they deserve.Afterall it's the Government who send our soldiers in harms way and when they come back sick and injured or even dead there is a lot of red tape to master which drags on for years.Why?Each of the elected members of any level should be forced to attend 3 month of Bootcamp so they know what it feels like being a soldier.

[CanuckSARTech]

....We Will Remember Them

Je Me Souviens.

Sir!!!!!

....Each of the elected members of any level should be forced to attend 3 month of Bootcamp so they know what it feels like being a soldier.

Here here!!!!

[cigcars]

Sir!!!!!

Here here!!!!

AND be made to live on $7.00 an hour and see just what THEY can do family-wise, rent/mortgage-wise, clothes and school cost-wise, etc., etc.! When we were in school we were given just such an assignment (min. wage was $2.50 an hour then) just for us to see it was impossible. There was no way to make it! Nothing like being MADE to see what it's like, and all! Back to topic; my grandfather fought in WW II and Korea. My dad also in Korea. And now lil 'ole me from 1978 to 1984 U.S. Army.

[Vcool]

The invited my grandfather back for one of the major anniversaries. The canadian gov't invited a bunch of vets to go over for some celebrations, offered to pay half their way or some such thing. The condition was that the vets had to bunk 4 to a room with 2 double beds and fly some type of standby/cattle class. He was in his late 60s at the time and decided that this was a terrible idea, and declined. How could 4 septuagenarian strangers packed in a room be a good idea to anyone. He was especially insulted when the local member of parliament returned and decided she would show him her photo album of the trip, which included many pictures of her lavish suite.

In my opinion, the men and women who put their lives at risk deserve our utmost gratitude and respect. Regardless of what you think about the conflicts they are involved in, they don't get to pick what wars they go to, they just hear the call and do their duty. If you don't like conflict(s) take that up with the people who send our troops there, not with the troops themselves.