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Always Remember
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| crazedcanuck |
Remembrance Day
CBC News Online | Nov. 10, 2004
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/remembranceday/
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Canadians are asked to pause and remember the thousands of men and women who sacrificed their lives fighting for freedom and democracy during the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War and during peacekeeping missions.
 The 29th Battalion, part of the Second Canadian Division, advances into No Man's Land through German barbed wire and heavy fire in the right-centre of the Canadian advance on April 9, 1917. (Courtesy Veterans Affairs Canada).
During the First World War, (1914-1918) more than 600,000 soldiers volunteered to go overseas. As of November 2004, Veterans Affairs Canada is aware of 8 veterans of the First World War who are still alive. One is a woman. Their average age is 103.
These soldiers fought in a series of costly and bloody battles and by the end of the war, more than 69,000 Canadian soldiers had died and 172,000 were wounded.
They died fighting at Vimy Ridge, Hill 70, Bourlon Wood, Mons, Passchendaele and Ypres. In Ypres, Canadian soldiers were exposed to German gas attacks, yet continued to fight. They showed amazing tenacity and courage in the face of danger. (preventing the British troops from being annihilated by the advancing Germans)
A Consolidated VLR Liberator provides air-cover for a transatlantic convoy during the Second World War. (Courtesy Veterans Affairs Canada).
During the Second World War, (1939-45) more than one million men and women from Canada and Newfoundland served in combat in the army, air force and navy. More than 47,000 men and women did not come home from that battle.
Canadians lost their lives fighting in Dieppe, Normandy, the North Atlantic, defending Hong Kong, during the liberation of Italy, and in many other important air, sea and land campaigns.
As of November 2004, 268,110 veterans from this world war were alive, with an average age of 82.
Canadian soldiers dig a trench in Korea. (Courtesy Veterans Affairs Canada).
In Korea, 516 Canadian soldiers died during the 1950-53 conflict, in which 26,791 Canadians served. The battles of Hill 355 and Hill 187, among others, saw Canadians fighting in swamps and rice fields, through torrential rain and snow, in the air and at sea.
In 2003, Canada marked the 50th anniversary of the Korean War Armistice by unveiling the Monument to Canadian Fallen at Confederation Park in Ottawa.
The words "WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU BRAVE SONS OF CANADA" are inscribed at the base of the monument, which also contains the names of all 516 Canadians who lost their lives in Korean War service or subsequent Korean peacekeeping service.
Wreath laid by a nephew at his uncle's grave at Canadian Cemetery No. 2 at Vimy Ridge.
In 2004, Canada also remembered the 60th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, where Canadian troops suffered 18,444 casualties. Among them, 5021 were killed. Of all the divisions which formed part of the 21 Army Group, none suffered more casualties than the 3rd and 2nd Canadian.
It was a huge sacrifice – and a huge factor in turning the tide of the war against Hitler's Germany.
The first Remembrance Day, held in 1919 throughout the Commonwealth, was originally called Armistice Day. The day commemorated the end of the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.: the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
The Poppy[/b[
The association between the poppy and war dates back to the Napoleonic wars when a writer saw a field of poppies growing over the graves of fallen soldiers.
During the Battle of Ypres in 1915, Canadian Lt.-Col. John McCrae was inspired to write the poem In Flanders Fields on sighting the poppies growing beside a grave of a close friend who had died in battle.
The poem was a great inspiration in adopting the poppy as the Flower of Remembrance in Canada, France, the U.S, Britain and Commonwealth countries.
The first poppies were distributed in Canada in 1921. Today the volunteer donations from the distribution of millions of poppies is an important source of revenue for the Royal Canadian Legion that goes toward helping ex-servicemen and women buy food, and obtain shelter and medical attention.
[b]In Flanders Fields
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.
- John McCrae, 1915 |
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| rabbitjoker |
Indeed.
Thanks to those who offered their bodies and souls in the defense of freedom. |
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| halo20 |
| remember them then, and remember them now... |
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| Jayx1 |
| Also remember those who died in the gulf war, afghanistan and peace keeping missions. I dont think they get there rememberance they deserve. |
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| DJ_Ampz |
^Agreed, today, and everyday, we should think of and thank those that fell. I actually went to John McCrae School, the Public School just down the road from where McCrae lived in Guelph. Feel kinda proud for that
Ampz |
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| Rocco |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
Also remember those who died in the gulf war, afghanistan and peace keeping missions. I dont think they get there rememberance they deserve. |
i know what ur thinking. but the reason why they aren't the big focus cuz it's still recent. The war isn't really over yet.. besides, it wasn't really a war. It was a one sided battle. Never the less, any man or woman that dies in battle to preserve the rights of his or her country deserves to be remembered. |
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| crazedcanuck |
Most importantly we need to better implement the lessons such horror has taught us.
Unfortuantely every year we are reminded we are failing the charge they have given us... to lead a better life and make a better world.
We have a long way to go. |
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| Fir3start3r |
Great thread!
I wish I would have taken the day off to go the ceremony here in the city... :sadgreen:
Anyways, they're always in my heart and hoping that everyone doesn't take for granted the freedom we've received from their ultimate sacrifice... |
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| DancingQueen169 |
Thank you to all of those who served and died for us....and to those who continue to fight and die for our freedom.
On this day I think of my grandfathers who both served in WWII. I never got the chance to ask them about what they experienced as they died when I was too young to fully understand. :(
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| dallastar |
| quote: | Originally posted by Jayx1
Also remember those who died in the gulf war, afghanistan and peace keeping missions. I dont think they get there rememberance they deserve. |
Rememberence Day (Novemberence Day) is a day where we can reflect on all of those people who died in the fight for freedom - we just have it as this one day - to reflect and remember./ don't worry they all get their deserved attention -
One rememberence day for all those that fought for our right of freedom!:thepirate |
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