Remembrance Day in Vancouver (One Canadian Perspective)

[daveymac82c]

I am stuck at work today.

I am unable to attend any form of Remembrance Day ceremonies. This upsets me off because I wish I could pay a better tribute to our living and our fallen heros.

One beautiful thing about Remembrance Day in Vancouver is that the weather is almost religiously inhospitable on November 11th, without fail.

As an air cadet between the ages of 12 and 19 I would join my squadron in the Vancouver Remembrance Day ceremonies downtown at Victory Square. Each year it was a sobering experience for me as I'm sure it was even if just observing the parade from the edge of the street.

Every year, it would be cold, and would rain, and rain, and rain.

Leaving my house to come to work today, I step out my front door to be greeted by a very miserable shower of rain. Every time I blinked I was instantly transported into the trenches of WWI.

I became, just like every year it rains on Remembrance Day, connected in a level of understanding of what our brave young boys went through in the war to end all wars. I crouched there next to my fellow soldiers in mud knee deep, leaning against a makeshift wall of dirt, with cold rifle in hand, and just hoping not to hear the whistle signalling us to "Go over the top!!!"

I've never been in any kind of combat myself, but by closing my eyes today I feel I get a closer understanding of what war was and still is like. It gives me an appreciation for all that have fallen to protect me and my family whether on land, sea, or air.

My wish today, is for these wars not to keep happening.

I would much rather see two old, grey haired heads of state battle it out in a dark basement somewhere, than witness thousands upon thousands of young men and women fighting and dying in areas of the world they never even dreamed of going.

To all the brave individuals that died in battle for me, thank you.

To all the veterans still with us today, thank you.

To all of our current military men and women, thank you.

To all of our government officials striving to end conflict through diplomacy, thank you.



I will remember.

-David McIntosh

[Centurion]

in saying thanks to those who gave their tomorrows for our todays! I join you in the trenches but instead of raindrops, a few tears for the many who sacrificed so much.

Your post is beautiful and eloquent! I join your prayer that war will cease so that peace will reign. But if that is not to be, then I am grateful and humbled that so many are willing to step forward and stand a post. No matter what your service is in the military, you are appreciated!

Thanks to all who served, are serving, and will serve!

May peace come to all,

Dave

[aabryant]

David, thank you sharing your emotions. It is a momentous day for me too (I got married on this day and so celebrate emotional things at both ends of the spectrum).
I remember my grandfather gunner AA Bryant, who told me about firing artillery at Paeschendale, and my father, who trained in ferry battles but wound up driving sherman tanks because he proved to be better at driving tanks than flying aeroplanes. For me the single most incredible TV segment today concerned the elderly gardener who today tended the graves at Gaza. A small cemetary, with relatively few Canadian casualties from a peacekeeping force, but oh how done with such tender care. And sometimes journalists get it right.

For an elderly gardener, in a far-flung land, to say that he finds peace in caring for a cemetary so far from Canada, and to care for all graves with such passion and love, makes me feel truly proud.

I salute all who served and serve, and will serve.

[daveymac82c]

Hey Andrew,

I saw a part of the gardener in Gaza story, but didn't catch the entire story. I wish I could do more to show my appreciation for all of our veterans.

-David