Tags
200 words, Canada, community, courage, Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, Diana Schwenk, Diana's Enormous Book of Quotes, memories, Ottawa, peace, stories, storytelling, valour, war
In Canada? World reacts in shock to Ottawa Terror Attack ~ Toronto Sun
RCMP release security footage of Michael Zehaf Bibeau during attack, say he shot soldier in back ~ National Post
God keep our land glorious and free…
By now we’ve all heard the tragic story of the shooting of Corporal Nathan Cirillo.
Most news coverage has focused on the shooter.
How was it possible that he made it into the Hall of Honour? Who was he? Was he Canadian? How is it that authorities were caught off guard?
But what of the stories of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo? Who was he? And what of the folks who tried to save his life?
That’s why I was particularly moved by Rex Murphy’s account (below).
Listen as he describes the events immediately after the shooting of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and then goes on to honour the actions of The Sergeant of Arms, Kevin Vickers.
Thank you Rex Murphy for changing the focus of this story
Thank you for your service Cpl. Nathan Cirillo.
May you rest in peace.
~ DIANA’S ENORMOUS BOOK OF QUOTES ~
May we who remain, long for, and work toward peace.
talktodiana 
It is in the most terrible times, the best in people rises to the surface.
I’m glad the announcer didn’t mention the shooter’s name, choosing instead to focus on the hero of the story.
My condolences to Canada, and all its fine soldiers.
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Thank you so much Denise. ❤
Diana xo
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This was a heartbreaking piece of Canadian news to hear about. You’re right, Rex Murphy did a fantastic job of refocusing the story in the clip you shared.
A beautiful post on such an unfortunate event!
~ Andrea ❤
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Yes, very sad Andrea. It must weird to hear of it in Korea.
Diana xo
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Well done. Thank you for sharing that, Diana.
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My pleasure, thanks Jim!
Diana xo
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Rex Murphy’s words really touched me. Brutal, senseless violence and cowardice. That does sum up these gutless attacks. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and countrymen and women, Diana. 😉
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Thanks so much Judy ❤
Diana xo
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Beautifully written post–I’ll never understand violence like this. My thoughts are with you and the other wonderful people in Canada.
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Thank you Sheryl ❤
Diana xo
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I have been out of touch with the news and read about this on Louise’s blog and was horrified.
Thanks for this perspective. May Canada return to a peaceful place.
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Thank you Elizabeth. ❤
Diana xo
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My heart goes out to that young man’s family, Diana. What a waste of a beautiful, strong, human being.
Senseless acts of violence are not something Canadians are used to, but it seems we are getting more like the rest of the world. 😦
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Mine too Jennifer. ❤ And my heart goes out to the shooter's mom; she's really struggling with all of this too. So sad… all of it, may good come of it.
Diana xo
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I feel for her too. What a terrible burden to carry (even though I am not blaming her; what do I know of the history behind it?).
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*Since I couldn’t comment on Friday’s post, I’ll have to leave it here… THANK YOU SO MUCH for featuring my blog! I’ve had a busy month and haven’t been able to read everyone’s blogs every day, so I was so surprised to be featured! *HUGS* ❤
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My pleasure Rachel, you are a gifted woman!
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Awww…. *BLUSH*! Thank you and so are you! ❤
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So sad! ❤
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Yes, thank you Rachel. ❤
Diana xo
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one can never appease a bully – the master at arms understood.
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At some point he may have been a bully… Or may even have been the target of a bully. But, once he shot Reservist Cerillo in the back, he became a cold-blooded killer and a cowardly one, at that… The Seargent-At-Arms used reasonable force in response to an immediate threat.
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Vickers did do his duty!
Bill did you know that I was bullied as a child and then I snapped and became a bully? Moving out west changed me and cured me of that. 🙂
Diana xo
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I’m glad you rode above it. That might be a good post.
Metaphorically, these guys and the sect that radicializes them are bullies – they have guns and kill people, and hang women and Christians – and they will not be appeased, must be stood up to and stopped.
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Yes I agree peace is what all who remain should seek but often peace doesn’t come easy for many
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That’s very true Jo-Anne!
Diana xo
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Great post Diana, we are all connected and we are all affected by events around the world.
Karen
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Thank you. Great executive summary Karen! 😀
Diana xo
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🙂
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Thank you, Diana, for choosing the humanizing light in the glare of other blinding angles.
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Thanks Mark and thanks Rex Murphy! 🙂
Diana xo
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Diana well said, we should not dwell on the cowards who do such horrific acts. Instead remember those who choose to live their lives in honour and courage. A sad day for humanity.
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Thank you Kath and I keep reminding myself that for the most part I live in a safe place.
Things like the shooting in Ottawa happen every day in other countries. ❤
Diana xo
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Sad and scary. Thoughts are with you in Canada, who always seemed to safe and sane to us in the lower part of the continent. Here’s hoping there’s healing and steps toward understanding.
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Thanks Lisa, here’s hoping! ❤
Diana xo
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Thank you Diana, for bringing a wider perspective and giving all of us the chance to hear Rex Murphy’s words (they made me cry again)
“Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
“Do unto others. ”
There are so many of these rules that we all know… All we have to do, is follow through.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that we should lay down in traffic; but don’t be sucked into playing for the wrong side either.
From something I wrote earlier this week:
“… In spite of Acts of Insanity…
Let our blanket of Loving Kindness Suffocate the flames of Hatred;
As, without fuel to feed the fire, Without oxygen for it to breathe;
Evil will simply suffocate under the sheer weight of good acts
Done by those who choose to do The Right Thing. “
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You wrote that on Louise’s wall, right Deb!? Yes, that makes so much sense, especially on paper! Humans are the variable that can shift that one way or another depending on a given situation.
For example, how would I feel/react if the soldier who was shot was my son? I know what I hope I would do, but…
Diana xo
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No, I’m not sure what I’d do if any of those lost this week were my son, either… And, if doing the right thing isn’t always easy, this would be excruciating.
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No kidding, eh?
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What’s so heart-breaking is that I’m pretty sure words almost — if not exactly — like that were on our posters when we protested the Vietnam war. It feels like there’s no way to even get a handle on this, let alone fix it.
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It does seem insurmountable and Vietnam is a great example Smitty.
As so many have suggested when talking about peace, do we start by living, teaching and advocating peace in our own circles of influence?
Diana xo
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We do, but we’re not the problem.
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Aren’t we? I mean at least at some level? Is it totally one-sided?
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I’m afraid I don’t follow. What level do you mean?
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Sorry.
I’m speaking in a very general way.
I’m asking myself are there things that I believe and/or say without knowing the whole story or seeing the whole picture, that unintentionally contributes as barriers to peace? Do I talk when I should be listening? Do I stay silent when I should be speaking out?
Make sense?
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Yeah. There is a tension between our own actions and the degree to which we contribute to the actions of others.
If I leave my house unlocked I’m not asking for it to be burglarized, but it may contribute in creating a situation that enables it. The resulting action is entirely on the burglar — who chose to commit the crime, but I can also choose to help prevent it.
Ultimately our actions are our choices — no one can “make” you be happy or sad or angry unless you buy into it, but they can certainly have an effect.
As always, life is a tightrope act!
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A tightrope act indeed!
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Yes we have lived through the terrorist attacks on my home country… we have witnessed their shooting down of unarmed civilian airplanes… Cowardice ???? Of the worst kind…. will it ever end ?? No, to easy to terrorise and run….
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A sad truth bulldog…it breaks my heart.
Diana xo
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Thank you for sharing this. I was also drawn to Rex’s comments about the cowardice of terrorism. I never agree with violence against another human, but I particularly abhor it when it isn’t a fair fight. It strikes me that terrorism never is.
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Thanks for weighing in Ian, I agree.
I am also trying to wrap my mind around Canada doing air strikes in the middle east. How many innocents will die, or at the very least will be affected or feel terrorized, I wonder?
It’s so complex…
Diana xo
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That is why no good will ever come from retaliation, only escalation. And, now that you say that, how many feel that they’re simply defending themselves? OMG, what a convoluted mess!
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Yes it’s complex, isn’t it?
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Shooting someone in the back has always been seen as the ultimate act of cowardice, has it not?
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Just so beautifully put in the video Diana. Goodness will always be triumphant.
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Yes. Thank you Don! ❤
Diana xo
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