Remembrance Day ? Veterans day

[Winnie G]

On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a Shoppers Drug Mart store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the store's PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us.

Terry was impressed with the store's leadership role in adopting the Legion's "two minutes of silence" initiative. He felt that the store's contribution of educating the public to the importance of remembering was commendable.

When eleven o'clock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the "two minutes of silence" to commence. All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect.

Terry's anger towards the father for trying to engage the store's clerk in conversation and for setting a bad example for his child was later channeled into a beautiful piece of work called, "A Pittance of Time". Terry later recorded "A Pittance of Time" and included it on his full-length music CD, "The Power of the Dream".

Grab your Kleenex

YouTube - Remembrance Day Soldier Cries (Soldier_Song)

Soldier Cries

A Tribute from a 11 year old

Love

Winnie and Ed

Edited November 11, 2009 by Winnie G

[pam]

Thanks Winnie that was beautiful. It had me in tears. Yes two minutes to remember those who fight for freedom is a pittance of time isn't it?

[Jamie123]

We went to our Remembrance Day service last Sunday. We had the usual gathering at he war memorial when the veterans laid their wreaths and of course the 2 minutes of silence. In past years my daughter and I went alone, but this year my wife came too. I always find it very moving - specially the bugle solo, and the Act of Remembrance (spoken by a veteran):

  Quote

They grow not old, as we who 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.

However when we got home my wife (who is American) said she felt very uncomfortable because no one put their hands on their hearts during the ceremony. She couldn't help feeling it was disrespectful. But the thing is I don't remember ever seeing the hand-on-heart gesture in this country. We certainly do not omit it out of disrespect. It is simply not one of our traditions.

Of course I'm not equating what this guy did (talking during the silence) with an ignorance of local tradition - especially if it was obvious from the public announcement what was going on. (Though perhaps he was preoccupied and not paying attention rather than deliberately disrespectful.)

Anyway it's a beautiful song - thanks for sharing it.

[pam]

  Quote

However when we got home my wife (who is American) said she felt very uncomfortable because no one put their hands on their hearts during the ceremony. She couldn't help feeling it was disrespectful. But the thing is I don't remember ever seeing the hand-on-heart gesture in this country. We certainly do not omit it out of disrespect. It is simply not one of our traditions.

It may be a US thing. When watching Olympics and such and watching athletes from other countries when their anthem is played..I only see the US athletes placing their hands over their hearts.

So yes I think a tradition of ours so for sure not a show of disrepect in other cultures.

[Winnie G]

If you go to hockey games you will see it.

My hubby always dose it maybe its 26 years in the Canadian Army ??????

[Elphaba]

You know, the older I get the harder this stuff hits me. I see the sacrifices our soldiers make for us, and am moved beyond words. I KNOW I do not have, and never have had, the courage these men and women exhibit.

My heart aches for our soldiers today. In 2003, whether you were in favor of the war or not, everyone recognized the terror and hardships our soldiers faced in Iraq, and we talked about it. We talked about them.

But, today, that doesn't happen, because after six years, I think we're tired of talking about it. Those of us oppposed to the war feel we were proven right, and so the conversation is over. Except, it's not.

I just wish we talked about them like we did six years ago. They deserve that--from me.

Speaking of such, has anyone heard from Outshined?

Elphaba

[pam]

I know he checks the site from time to time..just never posts anything.

[ADoyle90815]

I definitely appreciate what our veterans and those currently serving have done for this country. In fact, I have a cousin serving in Afghanistan right now.