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kallistiiToday is a day of many emotions for me. If things had been just slightly different, I would have joined the Canadian Air Force. I spent 4 years in the 51st Sqdn of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets with the aim of becomming a pilot. Unfortunately, the level of nepetism I saw bothered me, and I had some problems with the math, which later turned out to dysnumia, (dyslexia with numbers). I could draw out wind deflection vectors, but I couldn't calculate them. Back in the 70's pilots didn't have Palm Pilots, and thus you had to be able to do all of the calculations to plan your flight on paper. Chances are, if I had been able to get past that hurdle, I probably would have been retired by now, military pilots don't last long, even in times of peace, even if my eyesight wouldn't have allowed me to pilot fighters.
The other thing that makes this a memorable day for me is that my grandfather and namesake died in World War II. As such, not remembering today would be hard. Too many people have died in war. War is evil, and the need to have a military is horrible. But we do need it, for not to have it would lead to worse problems. And all societies need a place for those of a warrior spirit, so that they can train for when, and if, we need them.
In the US, a lot of the focus seems to be on the Vietnam War, then to a lesser extent Afghanistan and Iraq, but very little to the two World Wars. But there is very little coverage in the US National Media. I guess that this day is less important than Memorial Day is.
Canada, on the other hand, uses this day and looks back at the two World Wars, Afghanistan, and the various UN actions (Including Korea and Bosnia) that Canada has been involved with....which is important, as it was a Canadian, Lester B. Pearson who came up with the idea of UN Peace Keeper forces, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize. Canadian networks covered the ceremonies at the War Memorial which is just beside the Parliament, live. The Cable News channels, CBC Newsworld and CTV NewsNet, have been covering it since before 10 this morning, and are still covering it at noon. And estimated crowd of 30,000 people showed up today in Ottawa to witness the ceremonies. Never before have so many come to pay their respects on Rememberance Day in Ottawa. It could be the fact that Canada has such a huge role in Afghanistan and we have taken more casualties than any other country except for the US.
So, where ever you are, take a couple of moments to remember those who have given service to your country, and especially those who have paid the ultimate price.
ttyl
The other thing that makes this a memorable day for me is that my grandfather and namesake died in World War II. As such, not remembering today would be hard. Too many people have died in war. War is evil, and the need to have a military is horrible. But we do need it, for not to have it would lead to worse problems. And all societies need a place for those of a warrior spirit, so that they can train for when, and if, we need them.
In the US, a lot of the focus seems to be on the Vietnam War, then to a lesser extent Afghanistan and Iraq, but very little to the two World Wars. But there is very little coverage in the US National Media. I guess that this day is less important than Memorial Day is.
Canada, on the other hand, uses this day and looks back at the two World Wars, Afghanistan, and the various UN actions (Including Korea and Bosnia) that Canada has been involved with....which is important, as it was a Canadian, Lester B. Pearson who came up with the idea of UN Peace Keeper forces, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize. Canadian networks covered the ceremonies at the War Memorial which is just beside the Parliament, live. The Cable News channels, CBC Newsworld and CTV NewsNet, have been covering it since before 10 this morning, and are still covering it at noon. And estimated crowd of 30,000 people showed up today in Ottawa to witness the ceremonies. Never before have so many come to pay their respects on Rememberance Day in Ottawa. It could be the fact that Canada has such a huge role in Afghanistan and we have taken more casualties than any other country except for the US.
So, where ever you are, take a couple of moments to remember those who have given service to your country, and especially those who have paid the ultimate price.
ttyl
