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My goodness! I recieved great comments on last night's story about how Ginny and I met, fell in love, and married. I won't post them tonight, because this is a special day in memory of those who lost their lives for our freedom, and Ginny and I are going to eat on the deck and play a game of scrabble. This story is a repeat. In Canada, we remember the soldiers who lost their lives for freedom on November 11TH. As a Canadian in the USA, I am just now learning the the meaning of Memorial Day. Canadians wear poppies on 11/11. US citizens wear them on Memorial Day. I don't have a Memorial Day story, so I'll post my 11/11 story instead. Last November, I asked for poppies, because I couldn't buy one here in the USA on that date. So many of you sent me poppies. I have a collection to last me years. Thanks to all who sent me a poppy. I cherish them. Why is the poppy special? Here's why. A Canadian poet and medical officer, John McCrae, penned a poem during the first world war. In Canada, everyone wears a poppy in memory of those who died for our freedom. In Flanders Fields by John McCrea 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. Now for my story: The Meaning Of 11 Here in the USA it is known as Veteran's Day. In Canada, it is known as Remembrance Day and is a national Holiday. The number 11 took on a new meaning after 9/11. Before then, it signified freedom. I had no idea what it meant. To me it was just another holiday. A day when stores were closed and more importantly, there was no school. I knew about the war, but I was free to play. I knew people died for our freedom, but I could sleep in. I knew my parents had little when they were growing up because of the war, but I had food on my plate and a day to watch TV. The real meaning of the day was distant to me. Years later my daughter joined the Brownies. The first year she was a member, I set the alarm to wake us on the morning of 11/11. She had to participate in a parade. Every Brownie, Girl Guide, Cub Scout, and Scout had to participate in this parade in remembrance of those who died for our freedom. My wife and I left our daughter with the Guide leader and proceeded to the Canadian Legion where we waited for her. The kids paraded a mile along the coastal roads of Nova Scotia, carrying their flags high and proud. As we waited for her, the veterans arrived - old men, long past their prime. They'd fought in the trenches and watched their comrades die. Many came in wheelchairs. Some limped. A few stood strong. They joined the kids and walked as proudly as they could to the legion where a band waited. The band played, speeches were made, and on the 11th month, the 11th day, the 11th hour, the 11th minute, and the 11th second there began two minutes of silence. I looked at the veterans. Their sacrifices allowed us to stand there that day. They gave us our freedom. The cold seeped through my jacket. I reached out and held my wife. A tear trickled down my cheek. For years, I slept as these brave men still marched in the cold November air in remembrance for those who died in battle beside them. It took my daughter to make me realize the importance of the day. I never missed another Remembrance Day. Years later, because of work, I was separated from my family. I was in another city, but on Remembrance Day, I heard there was going to be a service in the city square. I was in Saint John, New Brunswick. I put on my jacket and a tie, walked the mile to the service, stood in the damp cold with a poppy proudly displayed on my lapel. I watched those brave men once again march for our freedom. I don't know if it was because I was away from my family or the sight of those old men still walking proudly, but the memory of that service never fades from my memory. They marched, wheeled, and limped to the city square. The mayor gave a speech. The two minutes of silence came. A bagpipe began to play "Amazing Grace." After the first chorus, a second one joined in, along with a small band. On the third chorus, more bagpipes joined and a brass band began to play. The building of sound, the magic of the moment is something I will never forget. Tears filled my eyes that day, as the blood must have filled the trenches in battle. The moment is burned in my mind forever. On November 11th, please take a moment to remember those who fought for our freedom and those that continue to fight for it. May God bless them all. Michael T. Smith If you enjoy a story, feel free to pass it on to your friends. My only request is that you include the link for your friends to join our family. To join our family, go to: http://subs. zinester.com/ 86758/ REMOVE THE SPACES TO GET TO THE SITE. SPAM BLOCKERS ARE HURTING EZINES. DON'T LET THEM PREVENT YOU FROM READING GREAT STORIES. As promised, here is a list of great inspirational sites. I subscribe to all of them. You will love these sites. Run by my friend Carol, Storytime Tapestry at: http://archives.zinester.com/98907/ Here's a new one that crosssed my path today: Linda Della Donna Freelance Writer www.littleredmailbox.com www.griefcase.blogspot.com www.storybone.blogspot.com "...and sometime when I wasn't looking, I got a new life." By my good friend Keith in Australia: http://www.agiftofinspiration.com.au/ My friend Phil runs http://www.peoplestuff.com.au/ Phil's awesome and brutally honest Zev, yes another friend, runs http://empoweringmessages.com/stories/ Heart Catchers is a wonderful site. www.DianeDeanWhite.com www.Heartwarmers.com and www.petwarmers.com are two wonderful story sites. http://hodu.com/ http://www.mydailyinsights.com/ www.ripplemaker.com http://www.sermonillustrator.org http://www.SkyWriting.Net Here's a newly discovered one I like: http://www.archive.zinester.com/9516 http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WarmFuzzyStories/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/WithInSight/ That's all I can think of right now. If I come up with more, I'll add them. Enjoy!!! I love your comments, Send them to msmith4@nj.rr.com. I'll include some in every post. Now for some comments on my last few stories: THERE ARE NONE TONIGHT. GINNY AND I DECIDED TO PLAY A GAME OF SCRABBLE. I'LL POST YOUR WONDERFUL WORDS LATER THIS WEEK. MAYBE I'LL POST MY SCRABBLE WTORY ON WEDNESDAY. IT WAS THE BEST MOVE I EVER MADE. Mike Keep on Waving |
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