Some people have asked about my signature for the last few days. Today is November 11, and in Canada and throughout the Commonwealth it's Remembrance Day. It commemorates the sacrifices of soldiers and civilians during war-time, particularly since the First World War. It's also known as Armistice Day, which is what it's named after where, in 1918 on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the Armistice was signed that ended the Great War. In Canada, you wear a poppy. It was supposed to be the War to End All Wars. Please take a moment of silence. 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. -John McCrae
I saw a very old man in the local shopping centre yesterday with a chest full of medals and tray of poppies; most people were just rushing past him doing all their Christmas shopping crap. I bought a poppy from him, shook his hand, and said "thank you for what you did." He was almost in tears. These people damn near sacrificed their entire generation for us, and they deserve nothing but the utmost respect. They will always get that from me.
Nous nous n'oublions jamais - to those who don the casque bleue and act in the service of peace, as well as those in war (Canada's ceremonies are intended to highlight UN peacekeeping missions, not 'just' the two World Wars). (Apt timing that Passchendaele would have been released here in the run up to Remembrance Day - I only hope those so interested outside of Canada get to see it someday.) Oh, and it's around 90 years since the outbreak of the Spanish influenza - the 'forgotten' flu which killed tens of millions worldwide, but was overshadowed and downplayed in the aftermath of the First World War - lest we forget that there is no guarantee such a virulent pandemic won't break out again.
That's a really nice post Draven. It seems there are less and less people out there these days that care about these things. All you guys who posted on this thread are credits to the human race. Yeah that came off a bit sappy but I'm having a bad day... All credit to you guys...
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them. This, traditionally, has been recited at every Remembrance Day school assembly and public address I care to remember. And today, at 11:00am, in a loud call centre, I stayed silent for 1 minute. Lest we forget.
This day marks the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918: the day "The Great War" (World War 1) ended. It is a day to remember the sacrifices those young men made. There's only 10 left who fought in that war, and are all over 107. If you get the honor of meeting any of them, consider yourself very lucky. List of surviving veterans of World War I - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Our generation has no idea what it is to sacrifice in the way they did. Whether that is a testament to advancement in technology and society as a whole, or luck, is a debate for another day. Kyle, that is an awesome sig. Your OP and Draven's post gave me chills. Both my Grandfather's (veteran's of WWII) would be proud that some still have that genuine respect for what they accomplished, and what they lost.
I wish i had known about the poppy thing yesterday; got a few Canadian friends that i should have sent one to as a thank you. all i can say about Armistice Day is this and with much respect: I think people today see smart weapons, UAVs, and long range weapons and so think war is not a personal thing anymore. WWI was a man on man, face to face, bloody mess. it was a brutal thing. Knowing what those men and women sacrificed and barely able to comprehend how bad it really was, i wish people wouldn't forget. we forgot once before and the Great War, the War to End All Wars had a sequel in barely 20 years. lest we forget. i pray we don't forget. Rememberance Day. I can't wish you guys up north a happy one, but i will wish for a moment of peace.
Draven, I owe you a beer at Botcon for what you did. I only wish I was with you to buy one too. Lest we Forget.
Rememberance Day has a lot of meaning to me. They sacraficed so much for us, and we need to do everything we can to thank and remember them. I always make sure to buy my poppy from the old soldier and his wife who always hand them out at one of the local malls. I always donate all of the money I have on me at the time, which is usually $10 or so. The woman always insists to pin the poppy on you, making sure that it rests just above your heart.