I posted a blog last year shortly after Remembrance day, so I thought I would post one before this year. I just read a Newspaper article in the Calgary Sun about a bar advertising drinks specials for the 10 November and using the Moniker what will you remember November 11...here is the Article that was posted in the Calgary Sun.
http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/11/01/bars-remembrance-day-bash-rankles-veterans?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=recommend-button&utm_campaign=Bar%27s+Remembrance+Day+bash+rankles+veterans
So I ask people what do you remember about 11 November growing up and what do you do November 11 now.
My most vivid and memorable memories for Remembrance Day was when I was a young private posted to Calgary back in 1980. The week before Remembrance Day we would put on our CF Uniforms(Dress uniforms) and we would take a day to go to the Legion and spend it with the veterans of WW1 and WW2. Now back then there were still plenty of the WW1 vets around and the WWII vets were still in their 50's and 60's. All these guys were sharp witted and fun guys to be around. When we sat with the Vets from the Second World War, they would tell us some of the most amazing and funny stories about their times in the military and over seas. Most times they would not talk about the horrors of war. When they did mention a comrade that passed, they would normally toast him and carry on.
When I was sitting with the guys from WW1 it was strangely different. After a few wobbly pops, they would tell more of the stories about the horrors or war, and how tough it was and about the comrades they lost. Needless to say I thought this strange yet intriguing. I must say I am happy to had the chance to speak to these heros considering there are no WW1 vets left. Those trips to the Legion I always looked forward to, and of course going to the Legion on Remembrance day after the ceremonies.
As I got older and have had the opportunity to speak to more WWII vets I noticed something strange, in that they too now talk about the things they didn't back in 1980. What I have come to understand about our young men and woman that who have served and faced some of the most terrible things in our history is, they chose to remember the good things . But as they got older I thought because the stories they told, they were choosing to remember the bad things....... I have since come to a different conclusion and what Remembrance day is suppose to be about.
In my opinion, The vets wanted us young soldiers to understand the camaraderie and the fun times they had while serving for Canada. When they got together they wanted to tell the stories that made them laugh and feel good about what they did. As a young soldier they wanted me to feel special about the career I was embarking on. As they got older, the stories they told were not for them to remember the bad times they had, but was for us as young soldiers to understand the horrors and heartache that war brings.
When I served in Somalia, I understood even more what these Veterans were telling me. When I returned I too, would tell the stories of the fun times I had, and the friends I made. I usually didn't talk about coming under fire, being mortared, crashing in a helicopter or seeing the dead bodies of children.
Today when I sit with the young men and woman that have served in Afghanistan and other conflicts, whether they are 20 or 50 years old, I see and hear the same things. They talk about the goofy times, the fun times, the hard times but not the bad times. We save them for later.
When you see a soldier or Veteran on Remembrance Day, and he is there all dressed up and proudly wearing his medals, look into their eyes, and you will see a proud person, you may see the friends that they came to remember,or the times that they came to remember, but take the time and ask him about his medals, his service or where he has been. They will have plenty of stories to tell. ....
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