Re: Remembrance Day

by Sandman Fri 02 Nov 2018, 5:20 pm

Remembrance Day a reminder liberty comes at a great cost

Responsibility ours to ensure freedoms remain protected, columnist writes

By John Campbell . Friday, November 2, 2018

People across Canada will soon gather at cenotaphs and monuments to honour this country's fallen soldiers as well as its veterans.

It's also an opportunity to recognize those currently serving in the military who are prepared to face the same dangers when called upon as did the men and women in uniform who came before them.

It's an observance that began not long after the horrors of the First World War claimed the lives of nearly 61,000 Canadians and left another 172,000 wounded.

Another 45,000 Canadians would die in combat in the Second World War and a further 54,000 left wounded.

Those are staggering figures for generations of Canadians born in the 1940s and later who have known relative peace for much of their lives.

Compare those numbers to the combat mission in Afghanistan, in which 158 members of the Canadian Forces were killed between 2001 and 2012.

Their deaths led to the Highway of Heroes being established, that stretch of highway between CFB Trenton and a coroner's office in Toronto, where the bodies of military personnel killed are taken by convoy.

The tradition was begun of citizens congregating along roads and on overpasses to pay their respects and to show their support for families who were grieving, as the convoy passed by them.

Although strangers, the sense of loss was immediate and intensely felt.

The Remembrance Day experience is of a different order, a well-established ritual that reminds us, in sermon, march and song, the heavy price to be paid to keep our country free and in control of its own destiny.

Liberty comes at a great cost when others in the world would seek to destroy it.

Sadly, enemies of democracies who would do them harm never shrink in number, and their persistence seldom flags.

Alarmingly, the rise of extreme-right movements around the world gaining power through the ballot box and influence through the media is a distressing development and contributes to a growing sense of unease. Where will this all end?

It's something to reflect upon Nov. 11 when, in paying tribute to the fallen, we remember anew what it is they died for — rights and freedoms we enjoy and often take for granted — and the responsibilities we ourselves bear to see that they're protected.

Northumberland News

by Stanleyz Sat 03 Nov 2018, 8:59 pm

Veterans reminisce their service to the nation as Remembrance Day draws closer

Two veterans share their stories as they commemorate those who served during the First World War.

Thomas Kervin . Nov 3, 2018

On August 4, 1914, Great Britain, and all of its colonies and dominions which included Canada, declared war on Germany. Two veterans sat down reminiscing about family history involving the Great War, mostly about stories involving their fathers or uncles. This Remembrance Day marks one hundred years since the end of the First World War and the veterans talk on the importance of remembering those who served.

One British veteran’s story, who’s made Port Hardy his home

One veteran, George Kearey, who served in the United Kingdom’s Royal Navy, mentioned his father and uncle enlisted early in the First World War. In fact, the two answered the call to duty within the same month the war had started. The two men were sent as part of the units in what was the initial waves of Allied engagements.

Kearey, who wrote in “Tale of Two Brothers,” to the Gazette back in 1996, had said his family George and William (or Willie) Kearey immediately enlisted into the Great War. George “found himself in the machine gun regiment,” Kearey wrote, “He was in France within two months serving with the Royal Scots. He earned a battlefield promotion to lance corporal.” Kearey also recounted that George was injured and sent home within five months.

Willie, on the other hand, served in the Royal Army Medical Corps as a stretcher bearer and was sent to the front lines. Kearey’s father was only 16 at the time of when he enlisted. Willie had joined as a private and “not as a boy soldier.” Kearey confirmed that, “yes, there were … boy soldiers and sailors up until quite recently and they bled just as good as adults.”

In what could be a humorous recollection, Kearey mentioned his father “was piggy backing a wounded Jock (a soldier in a Scottish regiment) when his suspenders broke (Willie Kearey’s). This to him was funny.” The Britishman-turned-Canadian citizen also added that “it sounds like a potential disaster. Three feet of mud, shells bursting all around, dodging from shell hole to shell hole with a wounded man on your back, your pants fall down and you are not even 20 years old.”

As with many soldiers who came back from the Great War, George “never said one word about his service.” But Willie had mentioned on occasion “the dirt, filth, and horror of the trenches. It is for fellows like these that we have a day of Remembrance on November the 11th,” Kearey noted.

During his experiences serving Britain, Kearey noted, “I was in the Royal Navy and I spent two years in that. And then I went into the Merchant Navy and I sailed the world, here there and everywhere.” He pointed out there was a lot more freedom in the British Merchant Navy than the Royal Navy or the Canadian Navy during his service.

In his most notable time spent in Britain’s military, Kearey was sent to Greece during its revolution. “We got out of that mess and then I just put in the time,” until he retired, got married and was hired for a regular job. He then decided to move to Canada shortly after his service.

Another longtime local served in the Navy during the Cold War

Dennis Flannigan, who served during the Cold War in the 1960s with the Royal Canadian Navy, gave his account of what it was like to serve. Flannigan joined in 1967 and “back then they still wore bell-bottom trousers and I think what they call the round rig,” he explained.

He noted the military branches were subsequently unified during his service. He noted after the unification into what is now called the Canadian Armed Forces there were many changes. The new “green uniform … many thought we were bus drivers,” he mentioned in slight humour. “I served on two destroyers, a submarine, and a sailing vessel,” he added, “but life at sea in peacetime, we periodically had to do patrols because of the Cold War.”

“On the West Coast, we had to be on the lookout for Soviet incursions into our waters. There was a time we were recalled and there was a Russian vessel - they called it a research vessel - but it was a spy vessel I’m sure.”

He then said that radar jamming equipment was working while they escorted the vessel in the Juan de Fuca Strait into Vancouver, BC. Flannigan mentioned it was close to the end of the year at the time and “this Russian came out and waved at me and said, ‘Happy New Year Canada!’” He had chuckled afterwards having shared that story.

He mentioned one of the many things he did during his service: “We were chasing drug smugglers. Of course, back in those days, we had to prepare for what we thought might be a conflict with the Russians,” Flannigan concluded in recollection of his days of service.

Remembrance Day, on Nov. 11, commemorates Canadian veterans, the men and women who served their country in the First and Second World War, the Korean War, and the conflicts Canadian Armed Forces participated thereafter. The ceremony in Port Hardy will be held at the cenotaph in Carrot Park near the waterfront, with the ceremony beginning at 11:00 a.m.

North Island Gazette

by Stanleyz Sat 03 Nov 2018, 9:07 pm

Opinion: Know your Remembrance poppy before you wear it

Carmen Mallia . Nov 3, 2018

Remembrance Day is fast approaching, which means poppies can be found just about everywhere on campus. Students drop loonies and toonies into a donation box, grab a red and black velvet poppy and pin it on, often to the left side of their chests, directly above their hearts.

It’s a small but recognizable way to honour and thank the troops who have fought and, far too often, died during wartime conflicts.

Whether they were at Vimy Ridge or Passchendaele during the First World War, or in present-day Mali — considered the most dangerous UN mission in the world — the poppy is one way for people far away from the crossfire to commemorate those who lose their lives on the battlefield.

While many students may don the red poppy, it’s important they know the meaning behind the symbolic flower and the funding it provides to our veterans. And, of course, it’s important that they recognize the distilled animosity some Canadians feel towards the bright flower.

Early in the First World War, soldiers noticed that blankets of red poppies were the first signs of life to appear on the war-torn battlefields. Burying a close friend and comrade on May 2, 1915, Canadian doctor and lieutenant-colonel John McCrae noticed that the flowers were pushing through the freshly dug graves. In a creative outburst, he wrote the poem that associated poppies with peace: In Flanders Fields. His writing sparked the international use of poppies as a symbol of remembrance.

The poppy also has charitable value, since the donations received by the Royal Canadian Legion go directly to veterans, supporting them with meals, transportation and accessibility items, ultimately enhancing their quality of life.

However, there has been rising opposition to the poppy in recent years, with some concerned that it is a symbol of war glorification. To some, this might seem offensive to veterans and military families.

Laura Kaminker, an NDP candidate who recently ran for a position as Mississauga Centre’s MPP, stated in a 2014 blog post that she views Remembrance Day poppies as “collective brainwashing” and that they represent a “ritual of war glorification." In addition, on Oct. 12, the Cambridge University Students’ Union came under fire after members rejected a call to celebrate Remembrance Day.

Imagine living in the moment when the Second World War was first announced; it must have been a horrific experience for those who had already experienced the conflict of the First World War. Imagine previously fighting for your country, unsure of whether or not you would make it home, and then experiencing opposition to something as simple as remembrance.

Of course, Canadians can choose whether or not to wear the red poppy. Wearing it is a voluntary gesture; if everyone is pressured into wearing one, its meaning is lost behind an act of obedience instead of remembrance. But the choice should be an educated one.

Politicians like Kaminker use poppies — and the veterans they represent — as a political talking point. In reality, the poppy represents more than “collective brainwashing.” It represents a rich history often forgotten or ignored by Canadians. According to Veterans Affairs Canada, during the First World War, approximately 66,000 soldiers died; in the Second World War, another approximately 47,000 died; and since 1947, hundreds more have given their lives for our country — including those involved in peacekeeping missions, foreign military operations and domestic operations.

We don't remember these soldiers as motivated by bold jingoism or a desire to conquest. They were, and still are, motivated by a desire to better our world. They sacrificed for their communities and families, not in the hopes that some politicians would refuse to acknowledge their efforts.

When the vast majority of students wear the poppy pin in November, they don't do it to celebrate dominance in war, but to remember lost lives. When reciting McCrae’s heartfelt poem, specifically, “Take up our quarrel with the foe,” middle school students never say it with motivation to war against conflicting ideologies; they only mean to commemorate the fallen.

Wearing a poppy doesn’t mean you support past or present conflict. It's simply a gesture to remember and appreciate those who have sacrificed their lives on the battlefront so we can enjoy peace and freedom.

The Gazette

by Phrampton Sun 04 Nov 2018, 6:44 pm

Never forget: Stories for Remembrance Day

In honour of Remembrance Day, The Peak compiled a list of stories about the lives of soldiers, both Canadian and international, that you should check out this week

By Peak Web - November 4, 2018

By: Nathaniel Tok and Alex Bloom

Everyday Heroes

Everyday Heroes: Inspirational Stories from Men and Women in the Canadian Armed Forces is a collection of stories of Canadian Forces personnel edited by Canadian army sniper Jody Mitic.

The service members themselves, who wrote their own stories, served in a wide variety of conflicts from the recent war in Afghanistan to the Second World War. Some of the writers did not serve in any conflicts, thereby providing a rare example of military life outside the war zone.

The contrast between the experiences of those who served in conflict zones and those who did not creates an interesting counterpoint and differing sets of perspectives. This however was expected from men and women who served in different places and at different times. However, a similar sense of gratefulness emerges from the voices of each character describing how the Canadian military changed them and how much they valued their time spent with their fellow service members

This creates an interesting counterpoint and differing sets of perspectives. This however was expected from men and women who served in different places and at different times but a similar sense of gratefulness emerges from the voices of each character describing how the Canadian military changed them and how much they valued their time spent with their fellow service members.

An issue for me was that many of the stories are quite short, and do not go into as much detail as I would like, especially concerning the lives of the service members after leaving the military. However, the book still achieves its goal of sharing a wide range of stories from service members from all walks of life. – NT

Indigenes

Released to English audiences as Days of Glory, this French film tells the often glossed-over story of the North African soldiers — primarily from Algeria and Morocco — who fought and died for France during the Second World War.

Western films about the Second World War often ignore the contributions from allied peoples other than the US, Russia, and the UK. While these are stories that are very much worth telling, it is important not to forget the great sacrifices made by other nations, many of which were colonies of France or the UK at the time.

Indigenes is a war film that acknowledges those sacrifices made by nations such as Algeria and Morocco, and indeed from all across Africa, during one of the most horrific conflicts humanity has ever seen. The film does not shy away from dealing with themes of racism, the harsh realities of war, and the way that veterans were discriminated against by the colonial powers they fought for after the war ended.

If you aren’t fluent in French or Arabic, you’re definitely going to need some subtitles for this film. However, even if you don’t normally watch subtitled films, I strongly recommend Indigenes for its honest portrayal of French colonialism during the Second World War. – AB

Joyeux Noel

If you want to watch a film about war that won’t leave you completely disillusioned about human nature then Joyeux Noel is the film for you.

Taking place during the First World War, it tells the real-life story of the French, Scottish, and German soldiers who decided to put down their arms and celebrate Christmas together. Of course, being about war, it still deals with incredibly heavy themes, so it isn’t an easy watch — but no war film should be.

Joyeux Noel follows characters from all three of the aforementioned nations, humanizing all sides of the conflict. There aren’t “good guys” and “bad guys,” just people. The film also adds another layer of respectfulness, in that all the characters speak their own languages, rather than having all the characters speak English in cheesy accents.

Joyeux Noel is one of the few films that reliably brings a tear to my eye, and is filled with poignant moments of love triumphing over hate. One of my favourite parts of the film, for example, is when the no man’s land between the trenches is converted into a makeshift soccer pitch so that both sides can come together for a friendly game.

What makes this film so touching is that it actually happened. Soldiers from opposing sides of one of the deadliest conflicts in human history saw through all the propaganda and hate and acknowledged each other’s common humanity. – AB

Honourable Mention: Passchendaele

Believe it or not, but the word “Canadian” used to strike fear into the hearts of battle-hardened soldiers.

During the First World War, Canadian troops developed a reputation amongst their foes for being particularly effective soldiers — especially at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, where they captured ground that older nations had failed to take. Passchendaele tells the story of the battle by the same name, where Canadians once again proved their determination at great cost: laying down their lives in the mud and blood of the European theatre.

While this film by Slings and Arrows’ Paul Gross isn’t perfect by any means, it is good to see representation of Canada’s involvement in the war. One Rotten Tomatoes review described it saying, “[Passchendaele] crudely welds the grisly verisimilitude of Saving Private Ryan to the contempo cultural revisionism of Pearl Harbor but can’t forge the disparate tones into a powerful whole.” It’s worth taking it with a grain of salt, and the melodramatic love story Gross wrote for his character wasn’t warranted, but at the very least, Passchendaele is a high-budget film that acknowledges the sacrifices of Canadians during the First World War. – AB

Peak News

by **Riverway** Mon 05 Nov 2018, 11:45 am

Guelph veterans share their experiences at Thank a Veteran event

One of many Remembrance Day events happening this week

Tony Saxon . Nov 5, 2018

Jacques De Winter knew exactly who he wanted to serve with when he decided to join the Canadian Armed Forces.

It was the Queen's Own Rifles regiment, and for good reason.

"I was born in Belgium and we suffered a lot during the Second World War," said De Winter

"It was this regiment right here," he says, pointing to a regimental pin on his jacket, "that liberated my town and when we moved to Canada I knew this is who I wanted to serve with."

De Winter joined the Canadian Armed Forces, serving with peacekeeping forces in Cyprus.

He joined 96-year-old World War II veteran Earl Setter and Royal Canadian Navy veteran Michael Bladon at the Thank a Veteran event Sunday at McCrae House, which allows the public to meet and interact with veterans on an informal basis.

Setter joined the artillery in 1943, landing at Normandy during D-Day and moving across Europe, helping liberate several countries.

His role was in forward communications, relaying information back to the guns, directing their fire for better accuracy and effectiveness.

Setter was wounded while resting behind the front line, a German artillery shell hitting the rear position and sending shrapnel into his leg.

"I still have some shrapnel in there," said Setter.

Bladon joined the navy to learn a trade.

"My dad said I could see the world, and I did," said Bladon, whose role in the Korean conflict included supplying outlaying islands, supporting the Korean navy and other less savoury roles aboard the destroyer HMCS Iroquois.

"The worst thing was pushing the bodies out of the water," he says.

A young woman stopped by Sunday to ask about the armed forces, saying she was considering signing up.

"It certainly changes you," Setter told her.

He and the other men said military service teaches you many things, including discipline and how to work with others.

All three supported countries that require mandatory military service.

"It's a good life for a lot of people," Bladon said. "Some like it, some don't."

"A lot of young people today are lacking, they don't have a purpose," Setter said.

"I sure as heck was a different person after the military," he said.

Remembrance Day activities continue in Guelph this week, including the regular 9 a.m. ceremony at McCrae House on Nov. 11, the main ceremony at the Sleeman Centre at 10:10 a.m. and a ceremony at Woodlawn Cemetery in the veterans section beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Guelph Today

by Dragonforce Mon 05 Nov 2018, 12:09 pm

Let’s always remember

Nov 5, 2018

KAMLOOPS —My grandfather was a WWII veteran. He died when I was nine, and so did the stories that he might have been inclined to share. I have old photos of him in uniform, and I know a few of the jolly stories – including how he courted my grandmother – family folklore that made us kids giggle. But I do not know the anguish, the pain, the horror he experienced as a WWII soldier.

Hence the silence that was draped all over my thoughts when, as a kid, I was passing by the cemetery. There were many rows of graves of WWI and WWII soldiers; the tombstones that said ‘unknown soldier’ were far more numerous than the ones with a name. Back then, as a child, I shuddered thinking what it must be like to lose my mom or dad that way.

On the one day when their sacrifice was acknowledged, which in my birth country was October 25th, each tombstone carried a wreath; I got to lay a few during my school years, as many kids did. The reverence born out of that gesture never left me. Fast-forward to today: my husband is also a war veteran. He still serves in the Reserves. I occasionally go for a mental walk among the ‘unknown soldier’ graves. What if? It’s sobering to think. It’s even more sobering to know that for some it is not just a thought but reality.

Hence my pointing in my last column to Christmas merchandise appearing too soon on our shelves. I love Christmas (OK, not the overdone commercial side of it,) but timing things properly has its merits. Before we get to the merry tunes of winter, we must pay respects to those who served and to those still serving. To those who stand ready.

We live in peace; that is no little thing. The world does not though. There are too many children my sons’ ages in many countries who have never known anything but war all their lives. To live in peace is a gift like no other. To know that should a threat arise, there will be people who are ready to put their lives on the line, is an even bigger gift. For 364 days a year, it mostly goes unnoticed.

We can argue (peacefully) while under no imminent threat, that wars are evil, that there are better ways to solve conflicts, that too many innocent people die as casualties…It’s true: wars are evil. People die, and the terrible consequences of people serving are farther-reaching than we can imagine. Just ask the families that struggle alongside veterans, and ask those who had to rebuild their lives and country following a war. But just by saying that we do not agree with wars will not solve any conflicts. We must honour before we judge.

For as long as we have people serving among us (Canadian Armed Forces, the RCMP, and Emergency Responders) whether in war or peace, we have to create enough space in our thoughts, in our daily conversations, and in our actions, to show that we honour their sacrifice. Think how powerful a few empty spaces would be in our stores, with nothing but a wreath and ‘Lest we forget’. Just for a few days, we would slow down to think and honour the memory of the fallen, their sacrifice, and the sacrifice of those who serve among us.

We would be reminded to not take freedom and peace for granted. We need reverence in our lives, more than ever. Gratefulness: a sacred duty to include it in our everyday life, alongside compassion. That much we ought to learn from all the suffering that has paved the path that took us where we are today.

Like it or hate it, violence has been part of our journey from the beginning of our history. I had many a conversation about the topic with civilians and with members of the Armed Forces. I like to think that somehow, if we raise our kids right, we will all sing Kumbaya and no one will never ever be mean to anyone else and no wars will ever break out again. Right. Unfortunately, humanity has both graceful and evil sides. The contrast allows us to see what we should work towards, and part of that is not ‘encouraging a war culture’ as some have said over the years but acknowledging that peace has a price.

The least we can do to show we understand what it takes is to show up for Remembrance Day ceremonies, to wear the red poppy and to pay it forward, in any way we can, through gestures of compassion and kindness, through reverence. Because so many along the way have paid with their lives so we can have the privilege of living free and unafraid.

Lest we forget.

CFJC Today

by Garrison Mon 05 Nov 2018, 4:46 pm

P.E.I. students honour veterans with gravesite poppies

'Veterans who returned are often overlooked'

CBC News · Posted: Nov 05, 2018

Remembrance Day - Page 3 2018-no-stone-left-alone-people-s-cemetery-kids-lay-poppies

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/prince-edward-island/pei-students-gravesite-poppies-1.4892371

by Garrison Mon 05 Nov 2018, 4:49 pm

Prime Minister to travel to France

05 Nov, 2018

OTTAWA, Nov. 5, 2018 /CNW/ - The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that he will travel to France from November 10 to 12, 2018, to attend commemoration events for the 100th anniversary of the First World War Armistice and the first-ever Paris Peace Forum.

On November 10, the Prime Minister, along with the Minister of Veterans Affairs, Seamus O'Regan, will meet with Canadian veterans and thank them for their service and sacrifice. They will also visit the Canadian National Vimy Ridge Memorial, a tribute to the Canadians who fought and gave their lives in the First World War.

On Remembrance Day, Prime Minister Trudeau will participate in commemoration ceremonies in Paris on the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, which marked the end of the First World War.

After the ceremony, the Prime Minister will attend the Paris Peace Forum, a new annual event that brings together political, economic, and civil society leaders from across the globe to address some of the world's most pressing challenges. The leaders will highlight the importance of strengthening multilateralism, global governance, and the rules-based international order.

The following day, Prime Minister Trudeau will be a key speaker at the GovTech Summit, which will bring together government leaders and innovators to explore how we can use new technologies to improve public services and build stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive democracies.

During the visit, Prime Minister Trudeau will meet with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, to further strengthen the deep friendship between our two countries, and explore ways to promote even closer collaboration.

Quotes
"We owe an immense debt of gratitude to our veterans and all the remarkable Canadians serving in our armed forces today. This month, as we mark the 100th anniversary of the Armistice, we honour the Canadians who fought and gave their lives in the First World War, and all those in uniform who have served and continue to serve our country with dedication."
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

"Our world today is more interconnected than ever, and the challenges we face know no borders. We must work together to address these challenges, from fighting climate change, to advancing peace and security, to promoting economic growth that benefits everyone. The first Paris Peace Forum will be an important chance to explore real, meaningful solutions to these issues and work to build a better future for everyone."
—The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Prime Minister's Office

by Garrison Mon 05 Nov 2018, 5:08 pm

No Stone Left Alone remembrance ceremony

November 5 2018

https://globalnews.ca/video/4631495/no-stone-left-alone-remembrance-ceremony-2

by **Slider** Mon 05 Nov 2018, 7:51 pm

Harjit Sajjan: To our soldiers and veterans, please know your sacrifices are not in vain

Op-ed: In Bosnia and Afghanistan, Canada’s defence minister has heard brave soldiers question their sacrifice. So let’s thank them, and their families, for their service

Harjit Sajjan . November 5, 2018

As we mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, this Remembrance Day is a significant time to reflect upon the sacrifices and contributions of our brave women and men in uniform. As Canadians, we must take this moment to ask ourselves how we honour those who defended our freedom and the values we cherish.

The Canadians and Newfoundlanders who fought in the First World War, along with all of our women and men who have served in armed conflicts, have earned our highest respect for the sacrifices they made on our behalf.

One such Canadian is Private Buckam Singh, one of my personal heroes. Pte. Singh came to Canada in 1907 at the age of 14. He worked as a miner in British Columbia and went on to serve our country with the 20th Canadian Infantry Battalion in the First World War. After he was wounded in two separate battles, Pte. Singh succumbed to tuberculosis while recovering from his injuries. He was just 25 years old.

Pte. Singh came to Canada for a better life. He believed in the opportunities that Canada would provide him, and when it came time to defend those opportunities, he answered the call. He never got the chance to live out his dreams. This is the harrowing truth for all those who sacrifice their lives on the battlefield.

I also think of those who led our troops into battle, like Lieutenant-Colonel William Hart-McHarg, a prominent Vancouverite who served our country overseas as the Commanding Officer of the B.C. Regiment. As a lawyer who often defended some of the city’s most vulnerable people, he was a well-respected member of his community. When the call came to defend his country, he enlisted without hesitation. In the course of his service, he lost his life at the Battle of St. Julien, leaving his family behind. Like Pte. Singh, he too made the ultimate sacrifice.

When I think of Lt.-Col. William Hart-McHarg, Pte. Buckam Singh, and the many others who fought for Canada, I think of the horrors they faced. I also think about the thoughts that must have crossed their minds. I am certain that just like every soldier, they asked themselves: is my sacrifice worth it?

After a difficult day on the battlefield under unimaginable stress, or returning to camp without a fellow soldier, one cannot help but ask: is my sacrifice worth it? I have heard that question from those I served alongside in Bosnia and Afghanistan.

When you deploy as a soldier, and leave the comforts and familiarities of your life back home, the small things that most of us take for granted become stark reminders of how fortunate we are to call ourselves Canadian. Simple daily activities, like watching the snow fall, or grabbing a hot coffee on the way to work, become distant luxuries. Our days are filled with hundreds of small acts like these, and while they may seem trivial, once you dedicate yourself to serving your country at war, you realize how significant these moments truly are. When these moments are no longer part of your daily life, you ask: is my sacrifice worth it?

We can answer this question for them. One of the best ways we can honour the sacrifice of the women and men who have fought for us is to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life. We should all take time to savour the small things, and harness the opportunities we have been given to succeed. This also means contributing to our communities, and working hard to improve them to create better lives for the next generation. We each have unique talents, and by being the best versions of ourselves, we can show our veterans that their sacrifice was not in vain.

When you see a veteran on Remembrance Day, or any day, thank them. Thank them for their sacrifice and for their bravery. Thank them for giving us the opportunities we have today. They fought for our future so that we could have a better life.

I also ask you to thank their family members. Every military family makes a sacrifice when their loved one deploys. Birthdays are missed, and weeks can go by without hearing their voice. Words cannot describe the sense of fear and loneliness that family members experience when their loved one deploys. There is always the fear that they might not return or that they will be a different person when they do. Just like our soldiers, we owe military families our support and gratitude. We honour their contributions as well.

This Remembrance Day, I ask all Canadians to join me in thanking our soldiers, past and present, and their families. I ask each of you to think about how you will use the opportunities they fought for to honour their sacrifice.

To our military members and your families, Canadians want you to know: your sacrifice is worth it.

MACLEAN'S

by RevForce Tue 06 Nov 2018, 9:14 am

New West children place poppies on veteran graves for No Stone Left Alone

November 5, 2018

https://globalnews.ca/news/4632631/new-west-children-poppies-veteran-graves-no-stone-left-alone/

by Seawolf Tue 06 Nov 2018, 10:52 am

Politics Briefing: As Remembrance Day draws near, veterans feel shortchanged

Nov 06, 2018

Good morning,

Remembrance Day is this weekend, a time when thoughts turn to Canada’s soldiers and the sacrifices they’ve made for their country. Politicians always make a show of honouring those sacrifices, by wearing poppies, organizing events and giving public speeches about the important role the military has served in protecting our democracy. (Justin Trudeau is even headed to France this weekend to mark a century since the end of the First World War.)

But when it comes to providing for those soldiers when they come home...that’s where things get more complicated.

No matter what party is in power, the federal government is accused of not doing enough. That’s not always without reason: Veterans Affairs Minister Seamus O’Regan revealed yesterday that Ottawa had accidentally shortchanged veterans some $165-million over seven years due to a calculation error, and the minister pledges they’ll pay the money back over the next couple of years.

There’s also the money the government isn’t spending: The New Democrats dominated debate in the House of Commons on Monday by pointing out the millions of dollars that are budgeted but not spent by Veterans Affairs every year, something that’s occurred when both Liberals and Conservatives were in power.

And Globe and Mail reporter Gloria Galloway has dug out yet another issue related to veterans in today’s Globe and Mail: The Liberal government’s planned “pensions for life," which, it turns out, are actually cheaper for federal coffers than the former system of lump-sum payments. The government has said for the past year that the new pension plan represents an extra $3.6-billion going to veterans, but that appears to be a case of optimistic long-term accounting. Most likely, former soldiers wouldn’t see the extra funds for years, if at all. “This is a cost-savings venture for these guys,” veterans advocate Sean Bruyea said.

Lest we forget.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-politics-briefing-as-remembrance-day-draws-near-veterans-feel/

by Garrison Wed 07 Nov 2018, 1:24 pm

Know your rights: More on bosses breaking the law on Remembrance Day (updated)

By Judy Haiven - November 6, 2018

On Remembrance Day morning, I drove to a gas station near downtown Halifax to fill up the car for a trip to the Annapolis Valley At the cashier’s counter a woman customer said, “wish me luck. I have to work today and it’s going to be busy.”

She said she worked as a bartender. The cashier at the counter said, “Yeah, I wish this was a holiday so we’d get extra pay.”

I told the cashier and the bartender about the Remembrance Day Act in NS – if they were paid for 15 of the last 30 days, and worked Remembrance Day, they had to get an extra day off with pay.

However, if your employer is closed on Remembrance Day, you get the day off without pay, unless you are represented by a union. Most unions have negotiated pay for their members for Remembrance Day.

Both women were shocked. The bartender said, “My boss told me I’d just get paid time and a half for today.” The gas clerk said she expected only straight time pay for Remembrance Day. The women thanked me and said they’d each tell their boss.

An hour into my drive to Middleton, I stopped in at a well-known coffee shop. All fast-food chains and restaurants are allowed to open on Remembrance Day. They are exempt from having to close because, according to the Remembrance Day Act, they are deemed to be part of the “hospitality industry.”

As I sat down to drink my coffee at about 10.55 am, I watched the 8 women servers behind the counter pour coffee and bag donuts at a hectic pace. Waves of customers filed in and out of the restaurant.

I waited for the clock to register 10.59. The Remembrance Day Act insists that all work cease “for a period of three minutes, at one minute before eleven o’clock in the forenoon on Remembrance Day.” Rather than stop, the pace seemed to pick up. So I went to the counter and asked to speak to the manager.

A white man, about 40 years of age, greeted me cheerfully. I told him I noticed no one at the counter stopped working for three minutes around eleven. Panic crossed his face, “I just forgot, I guess,” he told me. “I was in the office in back.” I told him I was not an enforcement officer, but it was the law. Looking relieved, he said, “Maybe I can give the workers three minutes at 11.11 instead?” I told him the time was already 11.15. He said, “Maybe at noon then—I don’t mean any disrespect.” I smiled and said, “I hope you know you have to pay these workers for their shifts today and give them an extra day off with pay, because of Remembrance Day.”

He stood up straighter. In a patronizing tone he told me, “I think I know the law. I just have to pay them double time for today.”

I smiled again, no I don’t think so; I just wrote a blog about this; I teach it, I told him, handing him my card.

“I’ll go run off the law then,” he said tersely. He came back a short time later holding a printout of the Remembrance Day Act. He looked puzzled, “the law must have changed – I don’t remember any of this. When did it change?”

“I think about 1989,” I said.

“Can’t be, there’s some rules about days they have to have worked before…”

I said, “Yes the employee has to have been paid for 15 of the last 30 days just before today.” I pointed out section 6, which explains the employee who works Remembrance Day is entitled to another day off with pay. He shrugged.

I guess he was worried that I’d report him. The act says that a boss can be fined $1000 for not complying with the law, and the employer can be fined up to $15,000 for non-compliance. But this boss—perhaps he is the franchise owner– did not have a clue about the rules.

I wonder how many bosses make it up as they go along? Lots more than we know. And employees – how many of them know their rights? If they know their rights how many are too afraid of losing their jobs to say something?

Judy Haiven is a retired Industrial Relations Professor at St Mary’s. She is a founding member of Equity Watch, which can be found on Facebook.

Nova Scotia Advocate

by **Replica** Wed 07 Nov 2018, 8:49 pm

What's special about this Remembrance Day? Most Canadians don't know

CTVNews.ca Staff
Published Wednesday, November 7, 2018

https://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/what-s-special-about-this-remembrance-day-most-canadians-don-t-know-1.4167394

by Scorpion Thu 08 Nov 2018, 7:55 am

Young girl wants her Remembrance Day letter to reach as many veterans and Canadian Armed Forces personnel as possible

Nov 08, 2018

Remembrance Day - Page 3 VetsMain___Super_Portrait

EDITOR’S NOTE: Grade 4 student Eden de Bruyn wrote this letter and created this portrait ahead of Remembrance Day. The nine-year-old Dufferin County girl wants to show them to as many veterans and Canadian Armed Forces personnel as possible.

Thank you for keeping our country safe. Thank you for giving us our freedom, fighting for us. You will always be remembered. You are all heroes.

The only reason we live in a country that is safe is because of you. Nobody knows what a veteran goes through. Thank you for going through all of this for us.

Thank you for protecting us in the country that made sure for us. Thank you for working hard every day to protect us. Thank you for risking your life for us.

Thank you for placing yourself in between us and danger. I will always admire your bravery. I wish I could be as courageous as you when I grow up.

Thank you for spending time away from your family to save other people. I have asked as many people as I know to wear a poppy to support you and your troops.

Thank you Veterans. Lest We Forget.

Eden de Bruyn, Mono, ON

https://www.orangeville.com/opinion-story/9022150-young-girl-wants-her-remembrance-day-letter-to-reach-as-many-veterans-and-canadian-armed-forces-personnel-as-possible/

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