Originally Posted by Oink

Canadians do seem to be a bit obsessed with this Remembrance Day stuff. I find all this focus on war and killing a bit macabre.

Originally Posted by iaink

I expect it has something to do with the timing of WW1 and the terrible carnage of the Somme Yypres and Paschnedale and its effect in moulding Canadas identity in its relatively early days as an independent nation. The collective loss perhaps did much to bring the patch work nation closer together. Britain has had lots of battles over centuries of history. Canada, not so much, so its a big deal.

Originally Posted by Auld Yin

My father died at Monte Cassino in Italy in 1944. He never met/saw me and vice versa. Of course when, as a child, I asked about him I was told stuff that made him, in my tiny mind, seem almost saintly. I know now, of course, that he was just an ordinary bloke, conscripted and sent off to war. He had no say in the matter.
Notwithstanding, today and every Remembrance Day, I think of him and the millions like him who never got a opportunity to fulfill their dreams, see their children grow up and hold and play with their grandchildren.
One of the most used pieces of film from WWll is that of the Normandy landings. Some of those young men were cut down as they entered the water and their bodies floated like flotsam for, God knows, how many hours.
War is a nasty, ugly business and should never be glorified, but we must never forget what men/women of every nationality, colour and creed did for us. Those who died or were injured, by their sacrifices, provided most of us with a relatively peaceful, safe and productive existence. Perhaps I'm somewhat overly sensitive, given my personal experiance, but there's absolutely no doubt in my mind that, whatever little my father and his comrades did, I am living a good life because of it, as are billions of others.

Originally Posted by bsmith

...It does all get a little mawkish and overly sentimental out here - the flags at half mast outside peoples houses and the whole yellow-ribbon bumper sticker type thing.

Originally Posted by bsmith

...It does all get a little mawkish and overly sentimental out here - the flags at half mast outside peoples houses and the whole yellow-ribbon bumper sticker type thing.

Originally Posted by Alan2005

It is a bit like that. Reminds of the mass hysteria after diana copped it.

Originally Posted by bsmith

...It does all get a little mawkish and overly sentimental out here - the flags at half mast outside peoples houses and the whole yellow-ribbon bumper sticker type thing.

Originally Posted by bsmith

...It does all get a little mawkish and overly sentimental out here - the flags at half mast outside peoples houses and the whole yellow-ribbon bumper sticker type thing.

Originally Posted by iaink

Thats nothing to do with remembrance day though, thats just supporting the troops on deployment and those not fortunate enough to make it back again.

Originally Posted by dollface

yeah right Al - mass hysteria right enough

Originally Posted by fledermaus

Yep, so if you don't go to the cenotaph then you should go to work.

Originally Posted by Alan2005

It's a lot more understated in the UK. People that want to go to ceremonies and observe the silence do so, those that don't don't. Growing up in the UK I never paid remembrance day any attention; I have no recall of doing anything special whatsoever. Seems that here if you don't want to do those things you are disrespectful and ungrateful.

Originally Posted by bsmith

....I realize that, but it's as though a shallow sentimentality permeates anything to do with the military here. Maybe it's the American influence?

Originally Posted by Alan2005

Seems that here if you don't want to do those things you are disrespectful and ungrateful.

Originally Posted by bsmith

....I realize that, but it's as though a shallow sentimentality permeates anything to do with the military here. Maybe it's the American influence?