Lest we forget

**Terry Searl** · 11th November 16, 01:13 AM

Originally Posted by Father Bill

I've been doing some thinking over the last couple of days. I had the time to do that because I was doing my bit as Padre to our branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, distributing poppies at Loblaws.

Some people said "I don't have any change; I'll get you on the way out." I offered them a poppy and said, "Here - please wear it and catch me when you can or catch somebody else if I've finished my shift."

Some people said, "I already have one - it's on my jacket out in the car." I offered them a poppy and said, "Here please wear one while you're in the store."

Some people were wearing a poppy and put money in the box, saying "I need to put more into the fund." I thanked them for their contribution and also for honouring our vets by wearing a poppy.

One of the best moment for me was three very little Muslim kids who each put in a nickel and said, with serious eyes "For Canada soldier" I thanked them with equal gravity and gave them each a poppy. I also gave their Mamma one, which she pinned on her hijab. I thanked her too - for teaching her children so well.

People make a false connection between putting in a contribution to the Poppy Fund and wearing a poppy. They're two different things. The contribution is to help those who came back. The poppy is to honour those who didn't.

Yes, the contribution is welcome, but please wear your poppy too. They're for two different groups of veterans.

Father Bill White,
Padre, Branch 501
Royal Canadian Legion

Well said Father Bill......and I won't forget it

**Jock Scot** · 11th November 16, 04:00 AM

I think it's only right to mention that "The Fallen" and the damaged that the poppy represents is for The servicemen and civilians who died and suffered in many and various capacities representing their country within the then British Empire in both World Wars and conflicts since. This is still represented in the Commonwealth and some outwith the Commonwealth today and as such, many, many religions and those with no religion, are all represented on November 11th "Poppy Day".

**The Q** · 11th November 16, 07:18 AM

I vow to the my country,

All earthly things above.

Entire Whole and perfect,

The Service of My Love.

The Love that asks no Question,

The Love that Stands the test.

That lays upon the Alter,

The dearest and the best.

The love that neaver falters,

The love that pays the price.

The love that makes undaunted,

The Final Sacrifice.

And there's another country,

I've heard of long ago.

Most dear to them who love her,

Most great to them that Know.

We may not count her armies,

We may not see her King.

Her fortress is a faithfull heart,

Her pride is suffering.

And soul by soul and Silently,

Her shining bounds increase.

And her ways are ways of gentleness,

And all her paths are peace.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xp7vI5iTZOk

**Andrews Son** · 11th November 16, 07:30 AM

It's very fitting to have the poppy as a token of the valour of our heroes. It was because the poppy was the first bit of nature to grow in those bloody fields. A symbol of endurance, reconciliation and remembrance.

**The Q** · 11th November 16, 07:34 AM

Until 2012 our recently fallen were returned via RAF Lyneham with full miltary honours in public view, the funeral then proceeded through the near by Village of Wootton Bassett.
Spontainously over the years this grew into large gathering honouring the dead.
The video at the top of this page, is one of the last through that village as the base closed shortly after.
http://www.swindonweb.com/?m=2&s=963...es+return+home

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rywivfVv_rw

The village was later honoured by HM the Queen with the Appelation "Royal Wootton Bassett" to thank the people of the village..

LEST WE FORGET.

**sbroomheadsr** · 11th November 16, 08:50 AM

Definition of a Veteran:

A Veteran is someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a blank check made payable to "Their Fellow Countrymen", for an amount of "up to and including their life."

Thank you, Brothers and Sisters for your service.

As an aside, why did they stop selling poppies in the US? I haven't seen them in years.

**416 Rigby** · 11th November 16, 09:18 AM

Steve, the way your generation was treated when returning home was a national disgrace that I pray will never be repeated. Knowing this, I always make it a point, when I see a guy with a Vietnam Veteran hat or bumper sticker, to offer up my hand and say "Thanks for doing what you did back then." It's not much, but it's the very least we can do.

Especially today, I'm thinking of friends who walked out to the aircraft and never returned.

**Liam** · 11th November 16, 11:30 AM

In Canada including Nfld. approximately 68,000 brave soldiers lost their lives during WWI. We remember them today along with those lost in other senseless conflicts but we forget about the 50,000 Canadians, mostly civilians who died as a result of the Spanish flu that the returning soldiers brought back with them to all parts of Canada, following the armistice. It was a similar story around the world.
We now have vaccinations that prevent this second tragedy from occurring. It is the annual flu shot. I encourage all to get one to reduce your chances of getting the flu and to protect those around you.

**Terry Searl** · 11th November 16, 04:01 PM

As a young fella' in Victoria, B.C. I had a job digging graves and I dug more than just a few at the DVA cemetery, in Esquimalt,
Most of the graves I dug were for veterans who were so badly wounded, burned or gassed that they were never able to go home and sadly they had mostly laid in hospital for many many years,
At their internment at the DVA cemetery there often was no one there except the cemetery maintenance staff, me, the driver of the hearse and the military Padre .......... these fella's were truly forgotten and it always made me tear up when the Padre, blessed them and laid a poppy on the casket before we lowered it into the ground.........Not just Lest we forget ....but please remember, not just today, but every day.... War really is a most horrible invention of mankind

**Rick Y** · 12th November 16, 12:22 AM

I went to Applebee's for their free Veteran's Day dinner. When they seated us they asked if any of us were veterans. When my BIL and I responded affirmatively they gave us each two Veteran's Day cards that had been created by hand by the younger grade school kids. One of mine read "Thank You! for protecting our country" and had little hearts drawn on it. The second card, written by a young lady named Shaelee, which had hand drawn hearts, stars, and a happy face, read "I hope you get well soon!" I thought that was wonderful and I hope that all the veterans out there who physically came home but are still having a hard time getting the rest of themselves back will, as Shaelee wrote, "get well soon!"