Remembrance Day Photos

[enforcersonly]

As this is the closest Sunday to 11 Nov, at 11AM this morning the whole of Britain (barring of course a certain amount of the lunatic fringe) will stop to remember those who gave their lives in WW1. I'm going to a parade in a place called Sherborne near where I live. Anyone else going to pay their respects? Obviously you don't have to go to a parade to pay your respects, but for those that do, please post some photos up. I'll put some up later.

 

[enforcersonly]

Really good turnout today.

 

[will-411]

My wife officiated her first Remembrance Day Service for her new church here yesterday. By all accounts, it was a very poignant ceremony with a WW2 vet placing a wreath alongside a 6 year old. Now, I wasn't there, nor was our daughter, as we were at a hockey tournament... I think that's important to note, because that is what the soldiers paid for - our freedom to pursue our lives. That said, I will be taking time to attend our cenotaph and ceremonies tomorrow to pay my respects....

And if the feds here in Canada make Remembrance Day a federal holiday, I will not be happy...

Cory

 

[langway05]

Richard

Thanks for the pictures. I look forward to attending Remembrance Day ceremonies on November 11th here in Alberta.

 

[will-411]

Brian - thanks for the personal message. I wanted to explain my final line from my post a little more as it wasn't meant to be disrespectful, or belittling in any way to our soldiers and troops. In fact, it is totally the opposite, but indeed, based on my personal opinion.

In my opinion, Remembrance Day should remain a day where we undergo our daily pursuits, and express the freedom that was so harshly won in the Great Wars and the conflicts since. I worry that if the day is made a holiday, it will not be given the consideration it currently has, and will tend toward a vacation day. I personally feel people should pause and consider what happened that day, and I feel the best way to do that is to continue to observe Remembrance Day the way it is currently observed.

I understand that some Provinces observe the day as a holiday. They have that right to impart that as a province. I know here in Ontario they considered Family Day in February and Remembrance Day in November as potential provincially observed holidays. They went with Family Day, partially because of the outroar of the people that Remembrance Day should be left as it was. If my Provincial politicians made the decision to put Remembrance Day back on the table, I would go to my MPP and make my thoughts known. Indeed, I have already spoken to my MP directly when this federal level question came up and made my personal opinion known to him.

I come from an aboriginal background, and had many great uncles and cousins serve in WW2. In my culture, we learn directly from our elders and carry their legacy on. As elders and veterans, if they made the decision that this would be a good idea to change this into a federal holiday, I would be beside them. However, not a one of the veterans I have spoken to from my community feels this is a good idea for the reasons I've mentioned.

My cousin is currently stationed at CFB Edmonton with 20+ years of service. He is a third generation soldier with the Canadian Armed Forces. My grandfather served in England, Italy and Africa during WW2 and my uncle served in the Navy for 40 years including being based in West Germany, Cambodia and Yugoslavia during his time. It is with them, and countless other Canadian soldiers currently at work, or long since passed on, in my mind that I feel that Remembrance Day MUST be preserved and observed by all.

Cory

 

[enforcersonly]

Brian - thanks for the personal message. I wanted to explain my final line from my post a little more as it wasn't meant to be disrespectful, or belittling in any way to our soldiers and troops. In fact, it is totally the opposite, but indeed, based on my personal opinion.

In my opinion, Remembrance Day should remain a day where we undergo our daily pursuits, and express the freedom that was so harshly won in the Great Wars and the conflicts since. I worry that if the day is made a holiday, it will not be given the consideration it currently has, and will tend toward a vacation day. I personally feel people should pause and consider what happened that day, and I feel the best way to do that is to continue to observe Remembrance Day the way it is currently observed.

I understand that some Provinces observe the day as a holiday. They have that right to impart that as a province. I know here in Ontario they considered Family Day in February and Remembrance Day in November as potential provincially observed holidays. They went with Family Day, partially because of the outroar of the people that Remembrance Day should be left as it was. If my Provincial politicians made the decision to put Remembrance Day back on the table, I would go to my MPP and make my thoughts known. Indeed, I have already spoken to my MP directly when this federal level question came up and made my personal opinion known to him.

I come from an aboriginal background, and had many great uncles and cousins serve in WW2. In my culture, we learn directly from our elders and carry their legacy on. As elders and veterans, if they made the decision that this would be a good idea to change this into a federal holiday, I would be beside them. However, not a one of the veterans I have spoken to from my community feels this is a good idea for the reasons I've mentioned.

My cousin is currently stationed at CFB Edmonton with 20+ years of service. He is a third generation soldier with the Canadian Armed Forces. My grandfather served in England, Italy and Africa during WW2 and my uncle served in the Navy for 40 years including being based in West Germany, Cambodia and Yugoslavia during his time. It is with them, and countless other Canadian soldiers currently at work, or long since passed on, in my mind that I feel that Remembrance Day MUST be preserved and observed by all.

Cory

Well said.