Remembrance Day 11-11-11

This post is dedicated to our fallen soldiers and their wives, Mothers, Fathers and family. Today at 11 am, I will bow my head in silence with thoughts of you and all soldiers who have served. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I remember today... and I remember always.

Remembering Our Soldiers

On Remembrance Day (and Veterans' Day) we need to pay our deepest respects to all who have sacrificed and suffered in war; our soldiers who have dedicated their lives for us.
I also think of the families who have lost their loved ones and those who are missing their loved ones as they serve today.

Wear a poppy in remembrance and thoughts of our soldiers.

If you see a Veteran ~ remember to thank them - that's the least we can do for them- think of what they have done for us.

Always Remembered - Everyday in my heart. ~ Military Mom

"Lest we forget our heros, who fought and died,
For the Red and White" ~ Julian Austin

We Remember

We shall always remember our fallen soldiers and our soldiers serving today.

Our hearts are with you.

Below is a posting of a video from Afghanistan:

Remembering Our Soldiers November 11th, 2007

WATERLOO, ON

It was an chilly and overcast day in Waterloo this day, although our hearts were warm. In the background, one could hear drums and the sound of soldiers' boots hitting the pavement as they marched in unison.
Waterloo photos by: Military Mom
Some soldiers dressed in green fatigues and others dressed sharply in their dress uniforms (many with glistening ISAF medals adorned on their chests - Canada's own Veterans - returned from their rotation in Afghanistan) - boots highly polished marched towards Waterloo's cenotaph.

Amidst the group were Waterloo Region Police Officers, RCMP officers, Cadets.. and yes .. our Veterans from Canada's other wars and peacekeeping missions -a walking history - some arrived with the assistance of canes, walkers or scooters. The crowd, proud of our troops past and present, applauding them with tears as they passed. The sun broke through the skies above the auburn leaves in the trees as the Waterloo Cenotaph service began with an invocation by Padre Bernie Hayes. Such an eloquent speaker easily touching our hearts. Prayers were said for our Veterans, our soldiers and families. This was followed by the Waterloo regional police band playing O Canada and the playing of the Last Lament by Adam Annandale. Sniffles and tears were easily had as each reflected on this day. Some were parents of soldiers currently serving overseas. This is a very emotional day for these parents as well as parents of our fallen soldiers. My heart goes out to them.

100 wreaths were laid this day in honour of our soldiers. The wreath for "Soldiers in Afghanistan" was laid by Cpl. Sugrim and Cpl. Hunt. (Both returning Vets from Afghanistan. It's a true honour to know these gentlemen.)


Many, many people - soldiers, firefighters, cadets, Veterans participated during this Remembrance Ceremony. Truly amazing seeing the diversity of those we honour this day and always. Many veterans, wearing uniforms and service medals, watched from the comfort of the rail car as prayers were said, a two-minute silence observed and 100 wreaths honouring Canada's war dead were laid at the cenotaph. Other veterans stood with the crowd or sat on their scooters. Many chatted with children about their war experiences. Waterloo's was one of several Remembrance Day services in the region. Services were held at cenotaphs in Kitchener, Preston, Hespeler and Galt.

A Veteran is seen saluting as serving and returning soldiers and are seen in the background.

At the end of the services, soldiers "fall out" and march towards and along King Street in Waterloo accompanied by applause of appreciation of many people attending the Remembrance Day Ceremony in Waterloo.

Lest we forget... yes lest we forget.

Seen here (front centre) is Cpl Lock of 31 Combat Engineer Regiment (The Elgins) - a returning Veteran having served in Afghanistan.


Following the parade, soldiers met with fellow comrades - veterans, young and old - a chance to catch up with each other or a chance to live history through their eyes.

.

To our soldiers, I say: "Thank You. You shall always be remembered."

In Waterloo, Krebs (Ali Baba) Steakhouse served free steak to the Veterans. Thank you to the Staff at Krebs for honouring our soldiers.

In CAMBRIDGE, more than 1,000 people ringed Queen's Square for Remembrance Day services at the Galt cenotaph. It was easily the largest turnout for the service in recent years.

The throng was up to five people deep around the 300 participants in the ceremonies, including the Royal Highland Fusiliers militia unit.
Photo by: Richard Lock

Wreath of "Soldiers in Afghanistan" being laid by parents of returned Afghan Veteran.

Photo by: John Prno

Photo by: Richard Lock

The Preston Legion donated this wreath for Soldiers in Afghanistan saying: "there will be a wreath for them until they all come home".

Photo by: Richard Lock

Grey clouds gave way to warm sunshine as the crowd offered sustained applause to soldiers, three bands and Galt legion members as they marched across the Main Street bridge to end the service.

Photo by: John Prno

Then dozens of people stepped forward into Queen's Square for a closer look at a new memorial installed this year. It's intended to honour soldiers from Cambridge who died on peacekeeping duties since 1954, or in the Vietnam War.

In OTTAWA:

Photo seen here placed in Ottawa of Graham Private Mark Anthony Graham, a member of 1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, based in Petawawa, Ontario. He died Monday September 4th, 2006 in a friendly fire incident. (Our prayers are with all the families of our Fallen Soldiers)
Clockwise from top left: Silver Cross Mother Claire Léger (second left) is flanked by husband Richard and Governor General Michaëlle Jean; poppies are placed on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; two veterans remember in silence.

On a disappointing note, I had read a poll on Friday in The Record (newspaper website) that recorded 60 per cent of respondents saying they would not observe the day.

As Herbert V. Prochnow said: "A great many people mistake opinions for thoughts."

Remember Them

.

To Those Who Have Served

and

To Those Who Are Serving

Lest We Forget

.

Kitchener Rangers Remember Our Troops

Rangers To Wear Commemorative Remembrance Day Jersey

on

Friday, November 2, 2007

at

7:30 pm

The 3rd Annual Remembrance Day Jersey Auction will pay tribute to the many veterans who fought battle for us all. The Rangers will be wearing a special commemorative Remembrance Day Jersey for their game on Friday, November 2, 2007 against the Erie Otters.
The special jersey to be worn once portrays the Remembrance Day theme as well as honours the 1956 K-W Dutchmen Canadian Olympic Hockey Team. The Jersey has been designed to be fully crested with Rangers shields on the shoulder and the maple leaf with a poppy centred on the chest. The Jersey is in a Rangers blue colour.
During the game a silent auction will take place. Fans may bid on any of the jerseys that are worn. All proceeds from the silent auction will benefit the 78th Fraser Highlanders Fort Conestoga Garrison and a number of organizations it has chosen to support as part of its mandate to remember not only the past, but to also be mindful of the present. Beneficiaries have included the KW Poppy Fund and the London Military Family Resource Centre in support of soldiers in Afghanistan.
In the past 2 years the Remembrance Day Jersey Auction has raised more than $30,000 for various beneficiaries.
We also ask that fans attending the game wear red in support of our troops and to pay tribute to our veterans.

Tickets for this special game night are available at The Aud box office, Centre In The Square, online at http://www.blogger.com/www.centre-square.com or by calling 519-578-1570.

Remembrance Day - Show Them You Rememer

November 11th - Remembrance Day is Tomorrow

Show Them You Remember

Take the time to..

• Thank our veterans for the sacrifices they have made.


• Thank those who fought in wars, as well as those who are fighting the current war in Afghanistan, protecting our freedom.


• Thank those who left their families to battle in Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.


• Thank those who did battle on the ground,in the the air and in the seas.


• Thank those most importantly, who didn't return.


• Thank them for their sacrifices, it's not the only day veterans should be thanked, but it's the least we can do to honour those who fought.

On November 11th, attend your local Remembrance Day service.

I've listed some below ( 3 in Cambridge!)

Waterloo
The Waterloo Region Band and Waterloo Concert Band will take part in a parade from the Royal Canadian Legion hall to the cenotaph. The parade will leave the legion hall at 10 a.m.
Waterloo MPP Elizabeth Witmer will provide the address.

Kitchener
The legion branch in Kitchener will hold its annual Remembrance Day Parade.
The parade leaves Kitchener City Hall at 10:40 a.m. and arrives at Duke and Frederick streets for a wreath-laying ceremony at 10:55 a.m.

Cambridge (Galt)
In the Galt area of Cambridge, a parade will leave the Galt legion hall on Veterans Way at 10:10 a.m., march to the cenotaph at Queen's Square for a wreath-laying ceremony at 10:35 a.m. and later return to the club for a celebration which is open to the public.

Cambridge (Preston)
A parade will leave the Preston legion at Westminster and Margaret streets at 10:30 a.m. Coffee will be served at the clubhouse following a service at the cenotaph on King Street.

Cambridge (Hespler)
The legion in Hespeler will hold a ceremony and lay wreaths starting at 10 a.m. at the cenotaph at Queen and Tannery streets near the former post office in Hespeler.

Other Activities following the ceremonies:

A Remembrance Day concert at 11 a.m. will be included in the Love of Music Marathon, held at First United Church in Waterloo from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is a fundraiser for the KW Symphony. For more information, call Joanne Bender at 519-885-0319.

The non-profit group Families of Canadian Soldiers in Afghanistan will be raising awareness at the Wings of Paradise Butterfly Conservatory on Saturday and Sunday. Veterans will receive free admission all weekend, and anyone wearing a red T-shirt will get in for half-price.

A display of approximately 200 British and Canadian medals and decorations continues until Nov. 24 at the Waterloo Regional headquarters building on Frederick Street in Kitchener. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday.