In Remembrance.

ObsidianReturns · Post by **ObsidianReturns** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 9:31 pm

In Canada, November 11th is Remembrance day, when Canadians wear the symbolic poppy, and take the time to recognize the sacrifices of those who went before them.
I am a Canadian soldier. I recognize that someday I may be called upon to serve my country in an operational theatre. Today's wars are not the same ones our parents and grand parents fought. They are waged by the powerful against the immoral to protect the innocent.
I'm not denying that there are arguably alternate explanations for the wars that plague our era, but I speak primarily of peacekeeping actions.

In the Sudan, Congo, Rwanda and many other nations, there are violent actions being waged against civilians, and the role of the modern soldier is to intercede on behalf of those that cannot. It is still very dangerous, and places great strain on the individual and their families.
So please, especially for my fellow canadians, take your day off tomorrow to appreciate the freedom and safety that you live in. Take the opportunity to speak to a soldier, many of us will be in uniform. Our veterans are aging, and soon we may not be able to talk to them. Please do, for tomorrow is a day when we pay our respects to them and their friends who didn't make it back. Say hi, say thanks. Appreciate what they have done, and pray you are never called upon to do the same.

C Elegans · Post by **C Elegans** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 9:42 pm

I'm just reading Romeo Dallaire's "Shake hands with the devil".

Kudos to Canada for being a stabilising factor in this world, and for being a leading force in social and humanitarian issues.

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Wed Nov 10, 2004 11:13 pm

I know it's not quite a national saying, but 'Je me souviens'.

I have the utmost respect for our veterans, and for everything they have done for us, and everything our soldiers do for us today. I will, and always, have the poppy over my heart in rememberance.

Tamerlane · Post by **Tamerlane** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 5:48 am

We had Rememberance Day here also and as every year donated small amounts to a variety of war veterans charities and projects. Living in an area which also houses the biggest naval base in the Southern Hemisphere, I've come in contact with a variety of veterans from the Korean conflicts all the way through Vietnam to the recent Gulf Wars and various occupations and peace keeping roles. Because of these guys and gals we get to sleep in bed a little bit easier at night and they will always have my eternal gratitude.

Adahn · Post by **Adahn** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 5:56 am

In my old school they would probably make fake cartboard poppies for remembrance day. Sure I hold soldiers BACK THEN with high regards. Now, seeing how the world has turned to *hit litterally, I say, Remember? What for? What's the use remembering something if it serves absolutely no purpouse what so ever.

Chanak · Post by **Chanak** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 6:00 am

It's called Veterans Day here in the US, but otherwise it's no different. I think about the connection both sides of my family has had with military service (every male and many of the females were military)...and of the countless others who share the same. In particular, I think about some of my old friends who stayed in after I got out, and saw action in Afghanistan and Iraq. To anyone who was in the military, is currently in the military, or will be joining the military, you have my gratitude and undying support.

Adahn · Post by **Adahn** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 6:31 am

[QUOTE=Chanak]It's called Veterans Day here in the US, but otherwise it's no different. I think about the connection both sides of my family has had with military service (every male and many of the females were military)...and of the countless others who share the same. In particular, I think about some of my old friends who stayed in after I got out, and saw action in Afghanistan and Iraq. To anyone who was in the military, is currently in the military, or will be joining the military, you have my gratitude and undying support.[/QUOTE]

Dude are you saying you're acctually for the war in Iraq?

frogus23 · Post by **frogus23** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 6:32 am

[QUOTE=Adahn]In my old school they would probably make fake cartboard poppies for remembrance day. Sure I hold soldiers BACK THEN with high regards. Now, seeing how the world has turned to *hit litterally, I say, Remember? What for? What's the use remembering something if it serves absolutely no purpouse what so ever.[/QUOTE]
The world has not turned to **** literally, it is still molten metal and rock, do not worry.

I hope we learn from war, I am sad for those countless who have died and their families and humanity itself. I hope the just haven't died in vain.

Chanak · Post by **Chanak** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 7:13 am

[QUOTE=Adahn]Dude are you saying you're acctually for the war in Iraq?[/QUOTE]

Let's see if I can simplify this. This thread is about people who have served, or serve, in the military. This encompasses every war, right or not. To me, it's not about causes. It's about people. Like a guy I knew who was killed by a rocket propelled grenade in an Iraqi desert in 1990. I know why he joined the military. Do you? He didn't join the military so he could invade a foreign country. He joined the military because he wanted the chance to protect the people of his country. It was a calling to him, as it is to most who decide to join the military. It involves risking your own life for others.

He didn't make the decision to go into Iraq. He was following orders, like any good soldier should. You don't have time to think about right or wrong when you are in combat...you just survive. That's who I support: people who make a very tough decision and live a tough life. In America, it is still a voluntary decision to do that.

I'm not about to get into debates in this thread about the Iraq invasion, or any other military action for that matter. Figure it out on your own...if you can't tell how I feel about the Iraq invasion from posts I have made in other threads here, then I'll just leave you guessing.

ObsidianReturns · Post by **ObsidianReturns** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 7:57 am

"What for? What's the use remembering something if it serves absolutely no purpouse what so ever."

Have you by chance perused CE topic called Dafur Never Again?

War is the most violent, dangerous thing we can ever do. It is organized violence on a scale you cannot imagine. And you would forget it?
It is the close minded, ignorant view of people like you who live their lives in absolute safety, free from tyranny, oppression, violence and torture that put the rest of us at risk of someday seeing war again.
Whether or not you like to admit it, the only thing standing between you and death is the professional soldier.

You sleep soundly in your bed at night, secure in the knowledge that brave men and women stand ready to visit violence upon those that would do you harm, and refuse to thank them for the sacrifices they make on a daily basis.

I just hope that someday, you upon your eyes and see that this world is a dangerous place, and your place is held secure only in that there are others who will protect you.

Maharlika · Post by **Maharlika** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 9:07 am

Stay cool, dudes.

People, let's keep things nice and easy...

...so far so good.

My profound respects to the men and women in uniform... people who truly epitomize what true soldiering is all about.

Nice to see you again, COMMrade.

Aegis · Post by **Aegis** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:06 am

Please, let's keep this thread free of anything but our respect. This is something that, as well as many others, have a very solemn respect for. Discussion can be made elsewhere.

Adahn · Post by **Adahn** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 2:21 pm

[QUOTE=ObsidianReturns]"What for? What's the use remembering something if it serves absolutely no purpouse what so ever."

Have you by chance perused CE topic called Dafur Never Again?

War is the most violent, dangerous thing we can ever do. It is organized violence on a scale you cannot imagine. And you would forget it?
It is the close minded, ignorant view of people like you who live their lives in absolute safety, free from tyranny, oppression, violence and torture that put the rest of us at risk of someday seeing war again.
Whether or not you like to admit it, the only thing standing between you and death is the professional soldier. [/QUOTE]

Woah, easy there buddy, you misunderstood. What I meant was what use is there having a remembrance day to remember the horrors of war, if we do them again; Sure remember them, but do something about it is what I meant... -.- Crist you're touchy, you're in dire need of some lovin' friend. Take your represed anger someplace else. And Chanak, chill out - don't get overly pissed off by a simple little question. You support the soldiers now, I get it, not the goverment, no need to wig out.

Sorry about that Aegis, i'll be quiet now, just wanted to justify myself before these two tare me apart.

Volk · Post by **Volk** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 4:29 pm

[QUOTE=Adahn]Woah, easy there buddy, you misunderstood. What I meant was what use is there having a remembrance day to remember the horrors of war, if we do them again; Sure remember them, but do something about it is what I meant... -.- Crist you're touchy, you're in dire need of some lovin' friend. Take your represed anger someplace else. And Chanak, chill out - don't get overly pissed off by a simple little question. You support the soldiers now, I get it, not the goverment, no need to wig out.

Sorry about that Aegis, i'll be quiet now, just wanted to justify myself before these two tare me apart.[/QUOTE]

Real mature post there sometimes its best to just be quiet if you have nothing constuctive or respectful to say this isnt a spam topic, or a politics topic its a remeberance topic and its a serious thing for us Canadians.

As for remeberance day i got the entire day day off work attended some memorials and enjoyed the free time.

Scayde · Post by **Scayde** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 4:31 pm

Deepest heartfelt respect and gratitude to and for those who serve.

The Z · Post by **The Z** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 9:34 pm

I was more than slightly miffed at a non-Canadian who blew it off and repeatedly said World War One was 'stupid' and 'pointless'. And when we sang various hymns and anthems in tribute to those who fought for the nation, he kept muttering that it was 'stupid' while shaking his head.

At that point I cut with the crap and bluntly said, "Shut up. Just shut up."

That calmed him down somewhat, but he still skipped the school service to play Halo 2. He skipped a service in tribute to those that fought and died for peace in order to 'play' a war that's 'cool'.

I can't understand how he has so little respect just because his nation wasn't very involved in WWI. Granted, now we look at Rememberance Day as a tribute to both wars, but nonetheless, that sort of attitude is uncalled for and simply atrocious. I can understand that he doesn't feel a very strong connection with the holiday, but I can't understand how he can't pay the least bit of respect and at least contain his disregard.

I bow my head towards the 36 teachers and students from my school that died serving in WW2 and anyone who believes in giving themselves up for something greater. I took my minute of silence at 11:00AM.

fable · Post by **fable** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:01 pm

[QUOTE=The Z]I was more than slightly miffed at a non-Canadian who blew it off and repeatedly said World War One was 'stupid' and 'pointless'.[/QUOTE]

I may be mistaken, but this thread doesn't seem to me the place to put up an attack or a defense of any war. It's simply about ordinary people who want to war at the behest of their leaders, wrong or right, and the honoring of them. Let's leave discussions of WWI, Iraq, and the successes or failures thereof, to other threads.

The Z · Post by **The Z** » Thu Nov 11, 2004 10:51 pm

[QUOTE=fable]I may be mistaken, but this thread doesn't seem to me the place to put up an attack or a defense of any war. It's simply about ordinary people who want to war at the behest of their leaders, wrong or right, and the honoring of them. Let's leave discussions of WWI, Iraq, and the successes or failures thereof, to other threads.[/QUOTE]

Sorry 'bout that. What I said came out the wrong way. It wasn't so much that he was attacking the war itself, but he was attacking the ceremony and the tribute (I meant he was calling the 'holiday' stupid).

Either way, it doesn't matter, I'm sorry to 'hijack' the thread.

ObsidianReturns · Post by **ObsidianReturns** » Fri Nov 12, 2004 5:14 pm

As always, fable is the much appreciated voice of reason.
Theres no one war that is good or bad, they just are, and regardless of the reasons they are fought, our respect is owed to those who sacrificed everything for what they believe in, and Remembrance day is the time where we remember them and their friends.

I hope everyone had an opportunity to visit with a veteran, and attend a service.

Since Remembrance day is gone and past, I'd take it as a kindness if we shut down this thread.

Maharlika · Post by **Maharlika** » Sat Nov 13, 2004 1:58 am

Request granted.

[QUOTE=ObsidianReturns]
Since Remembrance day is gone and past, I'd take it as a kindness if we shut down this thread.[/QUOTE]

As you would have it.