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| << November12, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - The Meaning of 11 |
November26, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - Memory Tree >> |
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For give me if you receive this more than once. I haven't received it on my email, and I don't see it in the archives in Zinester. I'm going to attempt to send it again. If you receive it more than once, I'm terribly sorry. Hi, Gang. I'm sorry for not posting more these past few weeks. With Ginny out of town, I can't seem to find much free time. There are several ideas bouncing around in my head, but I can't seem to get them down on paper. On a happy note, I'd like to announce the birth of Elizabeth Brianne. She's a healthy and beautiful young girl - Ginny's first granddaughter and my first step- granddaughter. I've attached a few pictures. While we celebrate the birth of a new life, today is a day of remembrance. It's time to remember those who fought for our freedom and for those now doing the same. Last year, I asked for people to send me poppies. Many of you, out of the kindness of you hearts, sent me one or more poppies. All week long, I wore a poppy on my lapel. Sadly, many people didn't know why I wore it. I took the moment to remind them. The poppy is special. Here is 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. It was just 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 still 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 of their comrades who died in battle beside them. It took my daughter to make me realize the importance of the day. I've 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 Here's a link to my youtube site. This is a video and song written by a man from my home province of Nova Scotia. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUUtoStxzr4 Will you join me at 11:11 AM in a moment of silence? Here's a couple more video's I found in my search. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgStF-hnZds This one is very powerful. It has scenes from the movie, "Saving Private Ryan." Idon't recommend this to the faint of heart. Although it is gruesome, it is also the reality of war. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcPS4A4Mocw Here's a few more: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y_rPZB3l8uI http://youtube.com/watch?v=Y5YAiXVn6Io |
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| << November12, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - The Meaning of 11 |
November26, 2007 - Hearts and Humor - Memory Tree >> |
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