Remembrance Day

[CrazyCanuck]

I left out that I did indeed take a 45 minute guided tour in those few hours, and then I wondered along the beach by myself, that's how i found the bunkers. If you don't wonder, you won't find them but they aren't hidden, you just need to walk along the areas with the grass. Those bunkers used to be at the front, totally visible but the sand dunes have covered them up. It'll probably be only a few decades more before they are totally covered unless the French government plans on doing something.

I needed to get back because I needed to take a train to Madrid later that night.

At Auschwitz, I can't remember exactly but a lot of Americans were there, some Aussies too, and people from all over Europe who spoke English fluently. It probably depends on the day as a lot of tour buses were there. Those photos are very powerful, but when you read something like the photo below, it takes it to a whole other level. I can post more if people would like.

[Hillis]

Originally Posted by cruzin4u

There is some great footage on youtube of WWI/II. The Stalingrad footage is especially powerful, seeing the Soldiers frost bitten and starved.

I'm working on adding quality video footage to the different sections on wwii.ca. So far I've completed the Dieppe video player (scroll down a bit).

[CrazyCanuck]

Wow, Hillis, you're back from the dead.

[Hillis]

I pop by from time to time., though obviously not big on posting.

I'll be downtown tomorrow and may post my photos on here if they turn out alright.

[Hillis]

Originally Posted by neggbird

I saw a really powerful Rememberance Day commercial on TV today, it was a POV shot of a WWI soldier running out of a trench and dodging artillery fire. Really well done.

It's available to watch on youtube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJctzkxFd08

[isaidso]

Thank you for posting everyone. For those interested, there's a service at the cenotaph in front of old City Hall tomorrow at 10.30 am.

[Taller, Better]

Originally Posted by Hillis

I pop by from time to time., though obviously not big on posting.

I'll be downtown tomorrow and may post my photos on here if they turn out alright.

We have you to thank for our "Post some Toronto Pictures" thread!

[Hillis]

^Yes I see that sucker is still going. I guess the 50 page max thing, or whatever it was, is no longer in effect.

I was at the memorial at old city hall today. I also stopped by the 48th Highlanders memorial and the Veterans Wall at Queens Park.

[Taller, Better]

With the system that SSC has now, there is no longer a need to limit the number of posts or pages to threads.

[cruzin4u]

Originally Posted by Hillis

I'm working on adding quality video footage to the different sections on wwii.ca. So far I've completed the Dieppe video player (scroll down a bit).

Is this your website? If so, it's very nicely put together. The images and videos are excellent! I've never seen such clarity in images before. Everything is laid out beautifully as well, easy to navigate and very informative.

This is such a great photo - http://www.wwii.ca/media-298.html

Not to take anything away from today's Soliders, but to me, these guys looked like Soldiers. I guess it's the fact they didn't have all the fancy gear and equipment.

The Dieppe Raid footage is something else. Truly amazing stuff. It's hard to watch some of this footage, but it needs to be done. I think this is the problem with many people, they are afraid to watch such footage because it's sad and depressing. It should be mandatory in all schools.

[isaidso]

I was impressed with it too.

It was packed at the cenotaph this morning. A good speech by the mayor, and a fly past by some airborne division complimented the service.

I watched one business man try to navigate through the motionless and dead silent crowd. He seemed a little uncomfortable to be passing through the sea of people who'd come to pay their respects; a little like busting through a funeral. All around, it was good to see so many people who made the effort to be there.

[Gil]

Originally Posted by isaidso

I was impressed with it too.

It was packed at the cenotaph this morning. A good speech by the mayor, and a fly past by some airborne division complimented the service.

I watched one business man try to navigate through the motionless and dead silent crowd. He seemed a little uncomfortable to be passing through the sea of people who'd come to pay their respects; a little like busting through a funeral. All around, it was good to see so many people who made the effort to be there.

I was there too. I came in on the Queen car and when it got to Victoria (even at Church) I was surprised at how many people got off, not to head to the subway (as the streetcar was on diversion due to the ceremonies) but to Old City Hall. The only disheartening thing about the ceremony this year compared to ones in the past is the dwindling number of veterans marching in the procession.

Meanwhile, here's that Government of Canada Remembrance Day commercial that I mentioned. Could someone who's more fluent in French confirm that the text is spelled correctly?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1Uot1anJyY

[Hillis]

Originally Posted by cruzin4u

Is this your website? If so, it's very nicely put together. The images and videos are excellent! I've never seen such clarity in images before. Everything is laid out beautifully as well, easy to navigate and very informative...

Yes it is mine, thanks.

Here are the photos I took today. Yeah, I know I'm no pro.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by Gil

I was there too. I came in on the Queen car and when it got to Victoria (even at Church) I was surprised at how many people got off, not to head to the subway (as the streetcar was on diversion due to the ceremonies) but to Old City Hall. The only disheartening thing about the ceremony this year compared to ones in the past is the dwindling number of veterans marching in the procession.

There may be fewer older veterans, but there are thousands of Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan. They will fill those shoes in many respects.

It had been a while since I'd been to Remembrance Day services. The only downer for me was the imposition of religion. We're supposedly a secular nation where people enjoy freedom from religion. Religion should be a private matter for individual veterans, not part of a public service. We're not Italy or the Vatican. We're a secular nation by necessity since we're a nation of immigrants, and by extension, diverse.

Remembrance Day should be for all Canadians and be respectful of all veterans, not just a portion of the population and their belief systems. It's just one of those relics that is out of step with modern Canada, but irritating nonetheless. It will probably take another generation to right it.

There should be no atheist speech. There should be no religious speech. It should be about remembrance. One shouldn't have to feel like they are in church to honour the dead.

[CrazyCanuck]

I just made a connection. On my way to Amsterdam from Berlin, someone decided to end their life on the tracks, which then required me to take 4 different trains to finally get to Amsterdam. On the way I was forced to go through Apeldoorn. Trying to find my way, I started to ask some of the locals if I was on the right train or not. When we got to Apeldoorn, they said I could tell my parents that I went to Apeldoorn.

Now seeing that name on the statue at Queens Park makes me think that they thought my parents would have heard of Apeldoorn before(i'm sure they haven't). Now that I know the significance, what the lady was really telling me was that it us who saved them, and that I had come full circle to see what had happened. I even took a picture of the sign at the train station for proof to her, that I would never forget I visited Apeldoorn, and she never wants me to.

[InTheBeach]

Great pics.

I'm not trying to invite attack here, but I have been quietly been boycotting Rememberance Day for the past couple of years.

Both my GFs did battle duty, and I respect all that have fought for a good cause. My fear is that 11/11 is turning into a propaganda machine for current conflict, and is a little off course at the moment. It is not just rememberance right now, so I remember on my own.

[isaidso]

Your views are welcomed since they probably echo that of many other people. It's a valid observation, but in the end, it's up to us to weed through the potential political manipulation of this day, to honour and remember those who deserve our attention. It's worth noting that people of all stripes participate in Remembrance Day.

I realize that I'm a little biased since I served in the Canadian Reserves, and come from a military family in many respects, but I was happy to see very little in the way of political speeches at the Remembrance Day service at the cenotaph. There was mention of Afghanistan, but only to highlight that we should not remain indifferent. Regardless of political views, the present conflict was mentioned only so that our thoughts can also be directed there in hopes that they return safely to Canadian shores.

33rd SVC BN, CFB Halifax.

[isaidso]

Thought this one deserved a bump.

[Taller, Better]

I'll be wearing my poppy with pride today!

[!!!!A!BIG!MEANIE!]

I found this