Doing something for Veterans on Remembrance Day

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #1 11-12-2007, 07:04 PM

Also, if only the "bad guys" choose to make war and the "good guys" don't, then guess who wins.

In WWII, if the Allies, including Canada, had not made the sacrifices needed to stand up to the Axis forces, we would now be living in a world run by Nazi Germany and their Facist partners. More recent wars may be more politically muddled, but I would not want to live in a world where Hitler & his cronies were victorious & in charge. If for no other reason, I choose to honor the people who served and especially those who died so I can enjoy my freedom & human rights.

I study history as a hobby & while wars are horrific, the fight for peace & freedom is sometimes necessary. My grandparents & other members of my family had to live through the Japanese occupation of Malaysia during the Second World War. Again, it is only because others were willing to make the sacrifices that they & countless others survived. In a very real sense, I owe my very existence to those brave souls.

Anthony

Delphinus · #2 11-12-2007, 08:27 PM

My family's story is similar as they were in Indonesia when that country became occupied.

I've asked my Dad if he misses living in a tropical country and would he ever go back to Indonesia. He's gone to visit boyhood friends, but no, he would never go back, the memories are terrible. Of course he would prefer to live in a tropical country but he and my Mom chose Canada to build a life in and have no regrets.

Sometimes I have to remind myself, like this morning as I sat shivering in my car on my drive to work, that there are worse things than cold to live with.

EmilyB · #3 11-13-2007, 04:43 AM

Yes, Delphinus and SHF, many don't realize what their life would be like today without that war.

digital-audiophile · #4 11-13-2007, 12:09 PM

Tony, I had no idea. I've heard stories from Glenda's family about life in the Phillipines under Japanese occupation and how horrible it was.

I would enjoy to hear your the story of your family one day if you are comfortable sharing it.

Der_Iron_Chef · #5 11-13-2007, 12:58 PM

I always remember my grandfathers on Remembrance Day:

Grandpa Jespersen - Pilot

Grandpa Spady - Airplane Mechanic

fishoholic · #6 11-13-2007, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaHorse_Fanatic

Also, if only the "bad guys" choose to make war and the "good guys" don't, then guess who wins.

In WWII, if the Allies, including Canada, had not made the sacrifices needed to stand up to the Axis forces, we would now be living in a world run by Nazi Germany and their Facist partners. More recent wars may be more politically muddled, but I would not want to live in a world where Hitler & his cronies were victorious & in charge. If for no other reason, I choose to honor the people who served and especially those who died so I can enjoy my freedom & human rights.

I study history as a hobby & while wars are horrific, the fight for peace & freedom is sometimes necessary. My grandparents & other members of my family had to live through the Japanese occupation of Malaysia during the Second World War. Again, it is only because others were willing to make the sacrifices that they & countless others survived. In a very real sense, I owe my very existence to those brave souls.

Anthony

I have to agree. While I do not like the idea of war and the killing that goes along with it, I think sometimes it is necessary for war to happen so certain freedoms can happen as well. Ideally it would be great if political leaders could solve their problems without going to war, and it would be also great if there wasn't people willing to kill others to get into power positions. However this is not the case in our world and since it's not I'm greatful to the soliders who are willing to stand up to people who want to take freedoms away from others.

andresont · #7 11-13-2007, 06:32 PM

I think we Are progressing; and the good thing is that unlike only few hundred years ago those who had different opinion were burnt or hanged at the city square for entertainment of the crowd, Today we are more civilized. But we need to get better then that.

As long as this thread is still open (Wow) So lets discuss this shell we.

War has to stop at some point.

Nazi were bad so why repeat the same, why not learn from their mistake?
Should we burn all BMW’s and kill all the Germans now because of the Nazi’s past?

We are not able to care for veterans here nor we able to care for POW’s STILL left in Vietnam and they are dying, only few hundred left; still suffering in prison.
What good is this “Remembrance Day” to Them? They are left behind no one cares anyway, this is all big shame.

So why young people go to war?

Confused and brain washed yes, like Pat Tillman was; they are TOLD that there is an enemy, but they still have choice. It’s not like in some European countries and Israel where people Must serve no choice period. I can understand supporting these troops, but not when they make their own conscious decision.

I wonder if people know that many US soldiers now realized that they made a BIG mistake and they hide here in Canada? Almost 3 thousands now! They even have their own lawyer.
But hey lets call them deserters and make them criminals; poof problem fixed…

Do we see foreign soldiers in our back yards?
Did any country in the world EVER used nukes?
Only Americans did Twice !
And we pay for all this …
When we are TOLD that we are fighting for freedom we loose both freedom and security.

We are always fighting some imaginative enemy; before it was Germany, Russia and many more , now its just war on terrorism , something that you can’t put your finger on . Very creative so funds can be pulled for nothing. 6 years after 9/11 gazilion $ spent and they tell us that is Al-Qaida is even more powerful today then before ?

If war HAS to happen then why SOMPLACE else, why it is always OTHER country that has to suffer for “ FREEDOM” ? And “coincidently” it is Always the one that has Oil (!) Why are we not fighting for freedom in Africa? (no oil there?)

Wake up people!

Zeitgeist movie tells the truth.
Alex Jones is true patriot.
CoastToCoastAM is alternative news media source. 15 million listeners over 500 affiliate radio stations.

So I am just going to quote Delphinus

"Those who do not learn from history, are doomed to repeat it."

Love and Peace to you all.

~~~

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #8 11-13-2007, 06:47 PM

Hey, Andresont,

NOBODY here is claiming to support the War in Iraq.

This thread is about showing our love & support for our men & women who have served honourably & made sacrifices for our intangible freedoms & rights.

I just wanted people to examine what we've each done or not done on Remembrance Day. On Mother's day we buy her flowers, chocolates & take her out for dinner.
On Father's day we buy him a tie & go for dinner.

On Remembrance or Veteran's Day we do what?

howdy20012002 · #9 11-13-2007, 07:15 PM

As a serving soldier with 1 PPCLI I would like to add a couple of things.

First,
I personally received a phone call over the weekend from a business associate I hadn't heard from in years..all he said thanks for what I do and I tell ya, it felt good to be recognized for the sacrifices that soldiers do make...

Second,
this is not about supporting war.
this is about the soldiers who have, in the past and will to continue to put their lives on the line.

I have personally been in Kosovo, Bosnia, and afghanistan.
Unfortunately there are bad people who do bad things

I agree, war is hell and stupid. I would love to live in a world were there wasn't war.

However, until we get rid of the sickos, dictators, etc etc I support what we do.

As so do the vast majority of the population...thankfully they realize that we live in a real world not ideal.

Ask the albanians that were saved after thousands of their brethern were slaughtered by the thousands by the serbs in kosovo whether or not they think that canadian soldiers are butchers and should be forgotten.

Ask the dutch that still are appreciative of canadians who made the ultimate sacrifice almost a century ago.

The list goes on and on.

if you think that soldiers are unnecessary, you live in a dream world.

Remembering those that sacrifice their lives and lifestyles so that the rest of society can live in a relative peace is the least society can do for those that do what we do.

Showing support for the war in iraq or afghanistan should not be confused with showing support for the people that put everything on the line.

As well, Being a soldier doesn't make you a murderer. I, thankfully, have never had to end anyone's life in the 12 years of doing what I do.

But I know that I have done alot of good..

How do I know this? From the smiles of the children of the countries I have been in. They appreciate the sacrifices being made.

Too bad some in our own country don't.

For those that do,
thanks

MCpl Neal Spicer
1st Battalion Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry.

SeaHorse_Fanatic · #10 11-13-2007, 07:49 PM

MCpl Neal Spicer,

If you ever make it to the coast, look me up & I'll make you dinner, we'll have some drinks & you can tell me some of your "war-stories."

Thank you for serving.

Anthony