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yugnats
11-11-2004, 05:27 PM
Thursday, November 11, 2004 - War Veteran Remembrance Day In Canada

The First World War 1914-1918
The Second World War 1939-1945
The Korean War 1950-1953

even though there are many different nationalities on this forum there is one thing i am sure we all have in common-unfortunatly we have all been touched in one way or another by war

Why Remember

We must remember. If we do not, the sacrifice of those one hundred thousand Canadian lives will be meaningless. They died for us, for their homes and families and friends, for a collection of traditions they cherished and a future they believed in; they died for Canada. The meaning of their sacrifice rests with our collective national consciousness; our future is their monument. (Heather Robertson, A Terrible Beauty, The Art of Canada at War, Toronto, Lorimer, 1977.)

These wars touched the lives of Canadians of all ages, all races, all social classes. Fathers, sons, daughters, sweethearts were killed in action, were wounded, and many of those who returned were forever changed. Those who stayed in Canada also served - in factories,, in voluntary service organizations, wherever they were needed.

Yet, for many of us, war is a phenomenon viewed through the lens of a television camera or a journalist's account of battles fought in distant parts of the world. Our closest physical and emotional experience may be the discovery of wartime memorabilia in a family attic. But even items such as photographs, uniform badges, medals, diaries can seem vague and unconnected to the life of their owner. For those of us who were born during peacetime, all wars appear to be far removed from our daily activities.

As Canadians we often take for granted our current way of life, our freedom to participate in cultural and political events, and our right to live under a government of our choice. The Charter of Rights and Freedoms in our constitution ensures that all Canadians enjoy protection under the law. The Canadians who went off to war in distant lands went in the belief that such rights and freedoms were being threatened. They truly believed that "Without freedom there can be no ensuring peace and without peace no enduring freedom." (King George VI at dedication of National War Memorial, Ottawa, May 21, 1939.)

In remembering their service and their sacrifice, we recognize the tradition of freedom they fought to preserve. These men and women had faith in the future and by their acts gave us the will to preserve peace for all time. On Remembrance Day, we acknowledge the courage and gallantry of those who served their country.

During times of war, individual acts of heroism occurred frequently; only a few were recorded and received official recognition. In remembering all who served, we recognize the many who willingly endured the hardships and the fear so that we could live in peace.

taken from here: http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/general/sub.cfm?source=history/other/remember/why

Mike Morrison
11-23-2004, 11:44 AM
Nice post, Stan -- a sincere tribute indeed

....also a good reminder to us yanks that there's more to our northern neighbors than just hockey and friendly attitudes ---- and that sometimes when they say they're "oot-and-a'boot", they mean "in Europe, kicking Nazi tail". :cool:

May every nation be judged by its heroes, and may Canada continue to fight the good fight (http://www.centcom.mil/Operations/Coalition/Coalition_pages/canada.htm).

yugnats
11-23-2004, 12:51 PM
Nice post, Stan -- a sincere tribute indeed

....also a good reminder to us yanks that there's more to our northern neighbors than just hockey and friendly attitudes ---- and that sometimes when they say they're "oot-and-a'boot", they mean "in Europe, kicking Nazi tail". :cool:

May every nation be judged by its heroes, and may Canada continue to fight the good fight (http://www.centcom.mil/Operations/Coalition/Coalition_pages/canada.htm).

Thanks Mike:)

Awesome link, BTW:cool: