Have attended several pre-season and a couple regular season games already. What struck me at Tuesday nights game, and at those other games was, as a group, parents, players coaches and generally hockey people, we seem to have an affinity for the military and our soldiers. I was thinking about the late Sgt. Prescot Shipway who was killed and repatriated today. Maybe it's understanding teamwork, esprit de corps, fighting for your friends...whichever it is, we seem to appreciate the fighting spirit and sacrifice of the Canadian soldier. So then, would it be suitable to observe a moments silence at the start of those games occurring within the same day or two of the death of a soldier? I'm interested to hear any comments....

Russ

You nailed it Russ! We Canadians have a sense of TEAM, COMMUNITY and SERVICE! Although one can't compare digging in the corners to working in the trenches, one is game, the other is .... LIFE!

We most definitely "DO" have an appreciation for "the sacrifice of the Canadian soldier"! For the mostpart we Canadians are peace keeping individuals and don't go around the planet bullying the rest of mankind into our way of thinking, not to say that are those who do however, nudge, nudge, wink, wink.

Everytime we're either at a Leaf, Argos or Buffalo Bills game there's a sense of heartwarming gratitude that I feel deep inside when our anthem or even the Star Spangled Banner is played at a Bills game!

And then when there's a military jet fly over? Well it just sends shivers through me to the core Russ! Quite often at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park (home of the Bills), they'll introduce the color guard with returning war vets who have lost limbs while at war.

As I stand in a rather transed kind of state (if you know what I mean), there are several different emotions that I feel all at the same time Russ! One, and the most obvious is gratitude! Gratitude that these young men are putting the lives o the line so that we can have ours!

Another (and I'm not going to get into this too much, as you can imagine where this topic will wind up) is anger! Anger that these mens and womens lives are being sacrificed, for what ....... greed, money?

That's enough, I'm not going to go any deeper with that because it pi$$es me off quite frankly to be waging war against a faceless enemy half way around the world where "OUR" soldiers are the hunted, instead of the hunters!

Nonetheless, I have a real sense of National pride for what other people are willing to sacrifice for "US"! Too bad that the political and business leaders can't conduct themselves with the same integrity and ethics that these young trend setters have put forth!

These are the real HEROS of our country! Not the fat cat politicians, nor the movie stars, celebrities or over paid athletes! These are the people who "REALLY" know what team is all about, and I want to thank you Russ for starting my day off with an overwhelming sense of gratitude for another day!

To our soldiers, as Wexdog celebrates your commitments every day in his login, I want to say THANK YOU!   

God and the soldier, all men adore.
In time of danger and not before.
When the danger is passed and things righted,
God is forgotten, and the soldier slighted.
(A poem qoted by JFK in 1962)

"At the going down of the sun...
And in the morning
We will remember them."

No fear Tony. We are hunting, Just not palatable for the left leaning media at home to know or be told about.

RIP Shipway.

Russ

Whether or not we condone the war effort is secondary to the fact that we MUST support the troops who are there.
In my humble opinion, ALL teams in the OPJAHL and other leagues as well, should be wearing the "support symbol" ( and please I don't want to hear some A-hole say they already do wear supports....)on their jerseys, and a moment of silence(or prayer) should be observed, not only for those who have perished, but for all who are still there, before the playing of the National Anthem prior to EVERY game.
Surely the teams can afford the "patch" money and the few seconds a moment of silence takes. If that's too much to ask, well then.............I can't find words that Tony would not edit out to describe what I'm thinking.

On this day...7 years after... we MUST remember, and never forget!!!!!

Agreed. The support logo is a great idea also. I would contribute to this even if the teams will not or can not. So then, how do we pitch this to the league, and I am serious about it.

You need only look at page 6 of todays National Post to be inspired...or outraged. Top article about lawyers for Mr. Omar Khadr winnng right to interview witnesses at firefight. Bloody hell...this is not a police matter or a Jane and Finch shooting, it's a damn war and Canadian soldiers are being shot at, IED'd and killed by the likes of this. Maybe we could send a lawyer and conduct interviews with the Taliban to see who planted the bomb that killed Sgt. Shipway. Not likely. Enough of this. The rest of page 6 by the way, speaks of Shipway and a picture of his motorcade on High of Heroes. Is it just me, or is anyone else outraged.

Tony, anybody? Any suggestions or contacts, ideas how to elevate this to OPJHL. Come on boys. Remember...most of these guys and girls were hockey players too. Now their watching our backs and paying the price.

today, Sept 11th...had to vent.

Russ

When you mention "support logo" we are talking about the Yellow Ribbon. Correct ?

I just want to make sure we are all on the same page.




Do not forget to WEAR RED on FRIDAY !











Support Our Troops !


Go Argos !
Go Jays !
Go TFC !


WEXDOG is a Cowboys Fan !
09,11,01
Lest We Forget
11,11,11

That's right Tony. You got it.

Russ

Wex, I refer to the "Ribbon" Logo that many of us have affixed to our vehicles. In my case, our fridge as well, because in our family, it's a popular venue.

I know how strongly you feel about this. Don't you think it would be an appropriate gesture. Maybe right beside the "stop" decal.

I think it is the best idea to come along in awhile.

Every player on every team wearing a Yellow Ribbon crest !

There should even be the Yellow Ribbon painted into the ice of every arena.




Seven years ago today .... it still bothers me.
I still cannot watch the videos on YouTube.

My dilemma is ...
I will never forget that day, I never want to forget that day.
I do not want to remember that day, I can never get rid of the images of that day.











Support Our Troops !


Go Argos !
Go Jays !
Go TFC !


WEXDOG is a Cowboys Fan !
09,11,01
Lest We Forget
11,11,11

Just moving this up....

Tony or anyone. I would purchase the ribbons on a volume basis with a supplier and once manufactured, send them to OPJHL with a letter asking to supply every team with a quantity to outfit each (Home and away) jersey in the league. Would this be a workable approach? Would OPJHL and teams accept this approach? It would be a shame to do this and subsequently have the ribbons collecting dust in an equipment room or OPJHL office. Any team officials here care to comment? Waiting for red tape and decisions takes time...this way it will be quick and easy. Again, I'm committed and serious. The cause is worth it, to me.

Russ

I sincerely hope you are able to get the OPJAHL owners interested.
You could also try to get in touch with the League office in Cambridge.

I am no longer involved in the day to day goin ons with the League as my son has passed through, and so although I'm interested to see how things progress, I have no link per say.

Again, good luck. Our troops deserve the efforts that we can make, and our support.

Try to get WExdog involved. he is passionate about it, and knows a lot of people.

Intherace

Brilliant idea guys!!!

It should be mirrored by the minor hockey leagues as well, to increase awareness to the children regarding what the Armed Forces do for us and our country.

"A Calgary soldier killed in action while on duty in Afghanistan was remembered at a funeral service Monday as a soldier who lived by the words tattooed on his back: "For those I love, I will sacrifice."
More than 700 people attended the public afternoon service for Pte. Chad Horn, 21, a member of the 2nd Battalion of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry."

These are the kind of people we have serving.
Although I admire your thoughts on THE RIBBON CAMPAIGN I don't think it will fly. There are so many in the media opposed to our involvement in Afghanistan as well as people against the RIBBON CAMPAIGN. Remember T.O. Mayor Miller's flipflop on the issue? He finally caved to pressure. However he later would not permit a HIGHWAY OF HEROES sign to be placed along the DVP - a request had been made by Toronto Legion Members. Miller's rationale: the DVP already has a name and the sign would be a distraction to drivers. He also requested ,then ordered, T.O. fireman to not take part in repatriation ceremonies enroute the morgue in Toronto.
I believe the hockey community is close to 100% behind such an idea as you've proposed. Unfortunately the media continues to tell us the "majority of Canadians"is against our involvement. I can see the headlines now..."LITTLE JOHNNY FORCED TO WEAR RIBBON".
Chad Horn,PPCLI, understood. Unfortunately its a tough sell to whoever composes that "majority" we're constantly told about.

Quotes on Sacrifice
"It is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich."

Wayjoy

Perhaps the solution is to make it the personal choice of every player, much like it's the personal choice of every driver to affix the ribbon to their car.

As for those who may not support the mission to Afghanistan, they fail to understand the purpose of the ribbon campaign or choose not to acknowledge it. There's a world of difference between wishing a safe return for one's troops and agreeing with their mission.

You don't get it, do you?

Supporting those who are there DOES NOT MEAN YOU AGREE OR DISAGREE with them being there.

SUPPORT......check the dictionary!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holy Hult.......as the "'Dog" would say.



SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!!!

Sorry CSTR, I think I misread your post.

My appologies.....you do get it.