Robert Fulford (no login) from IP address 74.115.198.152
Tomorrow, the 11th Day of the 11th month at the 11th hour marks the signing of the Armistice signifying the end of "The War to End All Wars". This solemn day has transpired to become a day to pause and reflect on the sacrifices laid down by so many service personnel in a series of two World Wars and several other conflicts.
I recall my own Mom telling me that originally Remembrance Day was known as Armistice Day. Its purpose was to recognize the fallen from The Great War of 1914-1918 who did not return.
Her father and mother were terribly heart stricken at how many young men from every small town and community simply didn't return. An entire generation was virtually wiped out at battle places with names like the Somme or Ypres or or Vimy Ridge. Lost now in the fading memories of all but a few their names are inscribed on Cenotaphs and memorials across this country, in each and every village, town and city where the loss was so strongly felt and made such an indelible impact.
During Mom's own youth she worked in a furniture factory building the wing tips and leading edges of Mosquito Bombers as part of the Canadian War effort. The First Great War had not acheieved that which it had set out to accomplish.
After the Second World War, Canada experienced a time of growth and prosperity. Mom met and married Dad. Like countless school chums Dad had volunteered for service. He served 3 1/2 years in the RCAF and it was from his rare accounts and snippets of service life that I developed an interest in the Halifax Bomber aboard which so many Canadians flew and from which countless numbers did not return.
At times the operational losses during the war were staggering. It has never ceased to amaze how many friends, relatives and schoolmates my parents could recount off the top of their heads that did not come back home.
Fortunately it was instilled in us the reason for stopping, pausing and reflecting on this day. Generations who came before laid the foundations on which we build our futures. The least we can do is show our respect and gratitude if only for two minutes.
On the news last evening was the fact that our Second World War vets are now well into advancing years and sadly, of the 1.2 million Canadians who served in the Army, Navy or Air Forces less than 250,000 are still with us. 1 in 5 remain. Not good odds. I guess that is simply the progression of time. Dad's own Halifax aircrew have but 3 of 7 left. Each passing year there are fewer and fewer vets to attend ceremonies.
Tomorrow I will take my own children to attend Remembrance Day ceremonies at a Canadian Forces Base and mark if only for a few moments the sacrifices made by so many. Then I hope to guide them to select an attending veteran and say a thank-you.
For those service vets who access this forum "Thank-you". It's not too much to let you know that there will be genarations yet to come that will not forget.
yes, i know there are a couple of vets that pop in here(john neal for one). thanks, boys, for what you did. i often wonder if i would have had the fortitude do be a soldier in any aspect at age 18..20...or even my present 34 years of age. admittedly, probably not. and this is why i shake a few old hands every year at the poppy boxes and thank them. of course, the boys always say "i was only doing my job" in regards to the war, but one does not have to extend the imagination very far to understand what a hell of a job they did. i salute any man or woman who will pick up a gun or fly a plane in defence of my country and way of life. the men and women in ww2 (and our current situation in afghanistan) volunteered to risk their lives. we must remember this very important point. thanks guys.
Thanks to all of you for your comments on us Servicemen. I spent much of the past two weeks selling Poppies at one of our shopping Malls and it amused me considerably to try to compare the youth of today with those who were rushing to the recruiting centres during the early '40's. In spite of all the losses during those terrible years, I feel we were the lucky ones.
Few will enjoy the adventures we had, or the opportunities we had when the shooting was over. I thank God for the good life I have had, and for the many times he pulled me out of harm's way during my flying years.
The story of my Air Force career is written up in the book "The Lucky Pigeon" and by no means is it all "Living by the Book". Mixed up with the Air Force routine was a whole lot of fun. Some day. if and when the 2nd edition comes out, the World will read the parts I didn't want them to see the first time.
Thanks again Guys, and as I slide out of this life, I promise I won't spill a drop of my martini.