Remembrance Day

So I have a wee bit of alone time now...thought I'd write about this day. We went to the city today and attended the Remembrance Day Ceremony in Grand Parade. My 8yo stepson was with us and he was very quiet and seemed to understand the seriousness of it all. He even took his hat off for the 2 minutes of silence when he saw the Veterans doing it - I was so proud! I see it as so important for him to respect those who sacrificed in the past for our freedom. However, I do not see myself as a big fan of the military. I dated a Marine down in North Carolina just after 911 and those guys at Camp Lejeune were just sick. Except for a very few, they were all just frothing at the mouth to get over to Afghanistan and 'kick some a**' or just kill as many people (anywhere) as possible. Needless to say, that guy didn't last long. I think my friends and I dated them all just so we could laugh at them when we went home after the weekend - I swear.

Now, like I said, those guys are extreme but I am damn sure many of our Canadian military are almost as brainwashed. However, with our older veterans I have so much respect since they have done and seen soooo much and it was not really their choice to go at all; nor did they receive thanks or victorious welcomes upon their return. No, it took years to get to that. Those men did not have support for their family when they were gone, access to medical care upon their return (other than the MASH-type camps) or big fancy bonus', no email, no video-conferencing, no ships dropping off vats of beer and Mariah Carey stopping by in a bikini on Xmas eve to sing them carols. They didn't get to retire at 40 and live in huge gorgeous houses and work 9-5 either. It was much much different. Not that I don't respect today's military. I just think that when people shun November 11th because they don't believe in war they are really missing the point. And I also know that many troops today still see extreme trauma and can still get hurt and die as well. That will always sadden me.

So yes every year when I see those decorated Veterans out at the grocery store selling poppies or hear my son recite poems about Remembrance Day I get all choked up. I attend the ceremony and am blessed to share the two moments of silence to remember all of their fallen comrades and lost countrymen. It's the least I can do. I am so happy that my son shared it with me today.