Rememberance Day @ MindSay 
It's not so much a day to celebrate as it is a day to reflect on what happened in 1918. The end of the largest war ever, at that time in history and a pledge to Never Forget - so that no one would have to live through the autrocities of war again. Why was it no one remembers that? For Canadians; we lost the largest number of our vets during the first world war, Canadian soldiers were among the first to land at Normandy, the second most of our vets were lost in the second world war.
We should commemorate those who've suffered; the fallen, the injured and all their families, to keep us safe from tyranny and oppression. And we could be well served by honouring what those World War 1 Vets asked of us all; Never Forget, Never Again! Our leaders around the world have had other plans and other agendas to play out. Unfortunately war has been seen as "good for business" for too long and big business is too close to most governments to see war actually prevented and avoided! That's the sad reality, and I get a sense of pain thinking of friends, family and fellow citizens of the world killed and maimed because of the politics and greed of a few.
Never Forget!
But then I'm an old hippie wanna be, I believe it's far better to Make Love Not War!
All days should be like today. It isn't like there was only one day that those people fought for us. They fought day and night to give us our freedom. Why should we only remember this once a year? I missed our school service. I decided that, since the ones I knew who were alive during the world warswere from Paris, I should go there. It was really something to watch the veterans as they marched down the road as they did some many times before. This time no guns, no bombs, no danger except for the cool winds. That can't erase what they went through and what they gave for us. The supreme sacrifice as it was so adequately put. I can't think of any better way to say it. Today is not just about rememberance. It's about learning from our past. It's a chance to show the youth of today what has happened beforeand what can happen again. When you think of the ones who came back , physically safe, but mentally scarred for the rest of their lives, the ones who suffered physically, and the ones who just suffered. They gave this all for us. We have our freedom today becauseof our sacrifices. Perhaps the most touching thing I ever saw was two years ago. I was again at the Paris service, standing near where the veterans were for its' duration. There was an older man there, a veteran, standing right near us. When Mt. Hope had the planes fly over, his face rose straight up to watch them go by. You can only begin to imagine the memories that must have triggered for him, and all others there. He wasn't there this year, I would have recognized him. They grow fewer every year. I suppose what I'm know trying to say in a round about way is not just to remember them, but to remember every day. When you see them on the streets, remember what they gave for you, and remember to thank them. Smile, say hello, and maybe even talk for awhile. The stories they have to tell are some of the most amazing ones you will ever here, but they grow few.
Last year our choir sang in the service at school. One of the songs we sang was "In Flanders Fields". I can't think of a better way to end this, so that's how I will. However, first, I ask all who read this to take a moment and remember what they gave for us, as I know I have done today.
Thank you for everything you have done for us. Thank you for giving us our freedom. Thank you for the defending us. Thank you for protecting us. Thank you. All of you.
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 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 Flander Fields.
-Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae (1872- 1918) Canadian Army-
*~Walking in the Autumn Rain~*
-Jewl-
Today Canada will observe Rememberance Day, in the US; Veteran's Day. In Great Britain it is called Armistice Day, the month, day and hour that World War I ended.
This is the day we are all asked to remember and honour those who served and those who gave their lives to keep North Americans safe while also assisting our global neighbours in need. At the time of WWII Canada was still a member of the British Commonwealth and Canadians saw much action in the war theatre even well before the bombing of Pearl Harbour.
While there is much that is painful to remember, and we all have a real mix of feelings about war the one thing all veterans wanted us to remember was: NEVER AGAIN! It should never happen again, a war on such a destructive and massive scale. Surely we have all learned war is not even, really, a last resort.
All people on this fair earth, regardless of colour, race, creed, belief or nationality, have something in common; we all want a life that allows us to feel safe, to raise our children and be hopeful for their futures, to have the freedom to go about our lives and to pursue our dreams.
Have humans progressed far enough yet to understand that all life is precious?
Hopefully this day will help us all to remember the things we have in common with each and every human on earth - it is our commonalities that will lead us to a more peaceful, safe and caring world.
Here's some pics of a small town Rememberance Day Parade - these were taken in Rockwood, Ontario.
Our Veterans; The Colour Guard and Pipe Band
Young and Old Alike
Cadets And A Mountie
Scouts
Guides
And while I'm on a roll, here's those pics from Halloween, I picked a few of the best taken. It's not easy trying to shell out candy and take pictures of the kids too. It was so worth it though! No-one expected it - and the kids were so proud to show off their costumes and their "haul". I think I'll make this a tradition - people's reactions were so fun!
The cutest green and purple bug ever!
He looks so cute - think he's really devilish?
This litle Purple Fairy wasn't sure if she liked Halloween or not! Taking her picture helped her stop crying. Ha! Her mom was pleased!
I called these little ones The Trick or Treat Trio, too cute!
This one - The Portly Pumpkin! Even the older ones thought it was cool to have their pictures taken he was happy to pose.
Okay that's it for today. I might have gotten this in in time to hit 11:00, at least in my time zone. Hope you enjoy... Peace!