Tags
Calgary, Canada, community, courage, Diana Schwenk, Gratitude, Hump Day Chronicles, Military, remembrance day, service
“They shall not die while memory fulfils its task of gratitude.”
On November 11, 2013 I attended a Remembrance Day Ceremony. Below are my recollections.
~
Joan Crockatt, MP – Calgary Centre says,
“You have stood on guard for us, so now we stand on guard for you.”
It’s -11c and the Padre thanks us for coming. He knows it’s cold but it is nothing compared to what those who have served our country have endured.
We are here to honour them.
We are here to honour our grandfathers, grandmothers, fathers, uncles, mothers, aunts, sons and daughters – and for many of us – total strangers who sacrificed that we may enjoy our freedoms.
He reminds us of the promise of peace found in Isaiah 2:
“…He will judge between the nations
and arbitrate for many peoples.
Then they will hammer their swords into plow-blades
and their spears into pruning-knives;
nations will not raise swords at each other,
and they will no longer learn war.”
He reads the poem penned by Canadian physician and Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in 1915.
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.
There are hundreds present today in Calgary’s Memorial Park.
And save for the odd crying child, all are silent and observing the laying of the wreaths ceremony.
Soldiers stand at attention as still as statues. One soldier wipes away tears that flow continuously in spite of his attempts to stop them.
~
I witnessed all this reverently, grateful for their service, proud to be Canadian.
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
You asked about the other candidates and why(?)
At the time, I recall hearing people say it was more a vote against Smitherman, rather than for Ford… Once again, “First past the post” in action):
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/1.870381
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
The link didn’t work for me 😦
LikeLike
Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
Sorry ’bout that! Here’s the link – only this time NOT rejigged from the mobile version… Hey, sometimes it works (and sometimes it doesn’t; ) http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/rob-ford-elected-mayor-of-toronto-1.870381
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Thanks this is great in giving some background!
LikeLike
Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
You’re welcome! (Talk about a “protest vote” blowing up in your face, eh?):
Btw, more often than not, I’m on my phone reading this stuff; so, when the (converted mobile) link didn’t work on the computer, I just took the “story number” from the end and copied it into the search bar that came up with the CBC’s “Sorry, we can’t seem to find…” page… (i.e. News story _____) and that did the trick: )
LikeLike
Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
So, was that at all helpful (or clear as mud; )
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Yes he promised to stop the gravy train – I can see how that would appeal to voters.
LikeLike
Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
I just wish people would look at the “real cost” of things – from start to finish… The repercussions of some of his actions will be felt and paid for in REAL DOLLARS for decades to come.
I believe in Cause and Effect: WHY are these things happening? WHAT needs to be done to prevent it from occurring again? Simple cost-cutting is exactly that – simple. Life is not simple.
LikeLike
elizabeth2560 said:
We have two 11 November to remember. The first is remembrance day of the ending of the war. The second id on 11 November 1975 when our Prime Minister Gough Whitlam was sacked by the governor general and parliament dissolved.
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
yikes!! But did you ever have a crack-smoking mayor?? http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/11/15/rob-ford-scandal-toronto-residents-stand-behind-police-chief-bill-blair-over-the-fords-in-new-poll/
LikeLike
elizabeth2560 said:
Wow! I read the article and watched the video clips of the comments he made about being ‘happily married’….. his po-o-o-o-or wife!
Who votes for people like this?
LikeLike
Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
Now THERE’S a good question! (Been wondering about that for a while):
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
I don’t know. My friend Helga and I had a discussion where we wondered if the other candidates could possibly have been worse!
LikeLike
elizabeth2560 said:
It would not surprise me. We had the choice between Tweedledee and Tweedledum at our last election. A lack of good leadership whichever way the election went. It can be frustrating when the only power we have as an individual is one single vote. I can see why some people drive themselves as much as they can into community affairs …. as an avenue to do something more than sitting back and accepting poor leadership at the national or state or local level.
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
So true and maybe that’s the good that comes out of it, right?
LikeLike
mrs fringe said:
Lovely. ❤
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Thank you my dear!
LikeLike
mrs fringe said:
🙂
LikeLike
When in New Places said:
Thanks for sharing this, Diana, it was so touching to read.
“In Flanders Fields” is one of my favorite poems, there’s so much raw emotion in it. Every time I read it I well up.
Lest we forget.
~Andrea<3
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
that last stanza gets to me every time!
LikeLike
joannerambling said:
Yeah I have to add amen to that………………..too………….
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
🙂 !
LikeLike
Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
As we stood, sleet mixed with rain. The wind rose and fell like restless spirits, to tear at our umbrellas. Raindrops beat unmercifully against weathered necks; while those who served stood, heads bowed; lost in time’s reflection. Silently, I cried out, “Enough of this cruelty! Have they not suffered enough?” With the realisation that they had been here before, on the battlefield; without benefit of even so much as an umbrella while shrapnel flew and those around them died…
LikeLike
Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
Lest We Forget
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
yes, lest we forget…
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Wow. Deb, this is beautiful! You write as someone who is in the know, who has first-hand experience. What is your connection? Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing this!
Diana
LikeLike
Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
Remembrance Day has torn at my soul for as long as I can remember. Another time, another past, perhaps?
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Perhaps. Thanks again for sharing your heart.
xo
LikeLike
Deb Weyrich-Cody said:
You’re welcome – thank you for sharing with us – and hugs back atcha.
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
🙂 !
LikeLike
Jennifer's Journal said:
We shall never forget.
LikeLike
dianasschwenk said:
Amen to that Sista!
LikeLike