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Lest we forget (pg. 2)
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| Dancing*Queen |
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Contributions on Land
Some Canadian units played a prominent part in the liberation of the Netherlands while others went on to participate in the Battle of Germany. In February 1945 the Canadian First Army attacked in the Reichswald Forest, and helped drive the Germans back across the Rhine; the German forces surrendered to General Montgomery on Luneburg Heath on 5th May 1945. From D-Day to VE Day 12,500 Canadians died.
Contributions on the Sea
During the 1939-1945 War the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) grew to a strength of nearly 100,000 personnel and nearly 400 vessels. Their main duty was to act as convoy escorts across the Atlantic, in the Mediterranean and to Murmansk in the USSR. They also hunted submarines, and supported amphibious landings in Sicily, Italy and Normandy. In all the RCN lost nearly 2,000 sailors.
Contributions in the Air
Although a major task of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) based at home was the hunting of U-Boats in the North Atlantic, its most important area of operations was Europe, where 48 Canadian squadrons served. The scale of their contribution was recognized on 1st January 1943 by the formation of No. 6 Group, an RCAF formation within Bomber Command. Canadian airmen fought in the Battle of Britain, North Africa, Italy and the Normandy invasion. About 17,000 died, the great majority while serving with Bomber Command. |
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Both of my grandfathers serverd in WWII in different roles.
My mother's father Samuel Knapp was a member of the RCN and my father's father Joseph Brodie built military warheads for the British Army. Both served their countries proud, and I was fortunate to have both of them survive. They have both since passed on, but never forgotten. Both were so young and fought for us to be free and I will never forget that.
All the husbands, fathers, brothers, sisters, mothers, wives, and children that fought and died for us to be free should never be forgotten.
R.I.P and may we never forget
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| DJ Robben |
i cannot forget, i am still told of stories by my grandmother, who can still remember like it was yesterday, the planes nearly skimming the top of her house, as they came to and from belfast...on bombing raids.
Those soliders who gave their lives were the bravest men ever. The men and women who lived through the war, deserve the upmost respect and admiration. |
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| ChrisD |
I cant believe that more people haven't posted about this day and its significance. Here is my contribution:
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Just got back from Old City Hall - its still going on, couldn't believe the crowd of people, very nice and touching to see.
When my grandfather passed away as part of his wishes in his will I was given all my grandfathers WWII medals, and his journal he kept during the war.
He was always proud of my time in the service and he was very proud of me when I invited him to my graduation from my airborne course at CFB Trenton awhile back. It was this connection we both shared, his service and mine.
I put my maroon beret, and a pair of my old jump wings in his casket during his funeral. I know they would have served him well and brought a smile. |
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| tha_broad |
Roy Thomson Hall does a series of concerts to show remembrance. Many of our patrons there served in the war or were around when it was happening and had a family member that served.
Much Respect. |
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| perpetuous |
Respect.
I was on the bus in downtown Hamilton this morning as all the veterans gathered to remember. It was sad how many people on the bus averted their eyes and pretended not to see. |
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| breakable |
Everday I am thankful for the people that willingly sacrificed themselves to give future generations their freedom. It's hard to imagine what the survivors had to go through to be alive today, we must honour our veterans.
Peace. |
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| VERTiG0 |
One of my grandfathers (dad's dad) fought in North Africa against Rommel and his Afrika Korps... He died before I was born though, and apparently he would never talk about it, because my dad said he won't tell him any stories or anything. FUN FACT THOUGH: He was almost shipped off to siege Tobruk, if anybody can spot the significance there. Thank he wasn't. My grandmother (dad's mom) lived in England just outside of London in the country during this time, and she told me stories of her and her family and friends sitting outside and watching the dogfights during the Battle of Britain. Craaaazy .
My other grandfather (mom's dad) was in the underground rebellion in Holland, his most awesome story was when the Americans were liberating Texel and a German section had an American platoon pinned down at the end of a street with a Panzer, himself and another guy were designated to run out to the tank, open the top hatch and drop a stielhandgrenate (stick-grenade/"potato-masher" German grenade, as they had only captured German weapons to work with) into the open hatch to disable the tank, which they did, thus allowing the Americans to come in and mop up the German soldiers.
I miss those stories, goddammit. |
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| Euphorica |
Both my grandparents escaped the war (luckily). My moms side had it worse though. (Polish/Ukrainian/German descent). My grandmother has told me stories, of being held by the nazi's and even having their train shot and bombed at by them. A suitcase over her head stopped a bullet in one incident.
If it wasnt for her luck, and all the veterans I wouldnt be here.
I think about it all the time and will never forget! |
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| Scotty-J |
Dear Grandfather,
Thank you. |
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| [NFC]Wave |
Being a former trumpet player I've played my fair share of Rememberance Day Ceremonies.
Hardset performance I've ever done in my life. I would love to DJ in front of 50,000 TA critics rather than do that, however I was honoured to do such a thing and to play it with true feeling for the veterens in attendance.
My grandfather was in WW2, died a few yrs ago. Refused all his life to talk to anyone about what happened overseas. The only thing he did say was thay he would make sure his whole life that he would help people and would make sure his own family had heat, because he still remembers back when he was so cold he wasn't sure if he would freeze to death in the night.
And so it were true. Until his lasting days he visited the hospital daily to see people and check up on people around the neighbourhood, eventually recieving the Order of Collingwood in his travels. His house, also never went without heat even for a single day. So he kept his promises.
My Dad managed to get his hands on the medels that my grandfather was awarded, they were professionally cleaned and I believe are awaiting a spot on the wall at my parents house as a little memorial.
From what my Dad found out, my grandfather was apparently something to do with communications or radio. But that's the most they ever got out of him as he always left the room when any sort of topic was brought up.
RIP and Lest We Forget. |
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| VERTiG0 |
| Oh I forgot to mention the Mauser 98k and Luger P08 my Opa "acquired" from a German soldier. ;) |
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| dallastar |
| quote: | Originally posted by niveole
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what's that supposed to mean - a bloody dot?? |
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