[starbuck8]

Here in Canada, we observe Remembrance Day, Tuesday November 11, for all of our fallen Soldiers and Hero's. This is a good read, and interesting information, for those who sometimes forget our Canadian Soldiers, and the sacrifices we've made that are all too often forgotten.



British news paper salutes Canada.. . This is a good read.

It is funny how it took someone in England to put it into words...

Sunday Telegraph Article From today's UK wires:



Salute to a brave and modest nation - Kevin Myers, 'The

Sunday Telegraph' LONDON:



Until the deaths of Canadian soldiers killed in Afghanistan ,

Probably almost no one outside their home country had been aware that

Canadian troops are deployed in the region.



And as always, Canada will bury its dead, just as the rest of

The world, as always will forget its sacrifice, just as it always forgets

Nearly everything Canada ever does.. It seems that Canada's historic

Mission is to come to the selfless aid both of its' friends and of complete

Strangers, and then, once the crisis is over, to be well and truly

Ignored.



Canada is the perpetual wallflower that stands on the edge of

The hall, waiting for someone to come and ask her for a dance. A fire

Breaks out, she risks life and limb to rescue her fellow dance-goers, and

Suffers serious injuries. But when the hall is repaired and the dancing

Resumes, there is Canada, the wallflower still, while those she once

Helped, glamorously cavort across the floor, blithely neglecting her yet

Again.



That is the price Canada pays for sharing the North American

Continent with the United States, and for being a selfless friend of

Britain in two global conflicts.



For much of the 20th century, Canada was torn in two different

Directions: It seemed to be a part of the old world, yet had an address in

The new one, and that divided identity ensured that it never fully got the

Gratitude it deserved.

Yet it's purely voluntary contribution to the cause of freedom

In two world wars was perhaps the greatest of any democracy. Almost 10%

Of Canada's entire population of seven million people served in the armed

Forces during the First World War, and nearly 60,000 died. The great

Allied victories of 1918 were spearheaded by Canadian troops, perhaps the

Most capable soldiers in the entire British order of battle.



Canada was repaid for its enormous sacrifice by downright

Neglect, it's unique contribution to victory being absorbed into the

Popular memory as somehow or other the work of the 'British.'



The Second World War provided a re-run. The Canadian navy

Began the war with a half dozen vessels, and ended up policing nearly half

Of the Atlantic against U-boat attacks. More than 120 Canadian warships

Participated in the Normandy landings, during which 15,000 Canadian

Soldiers went ashore on D-Day alone.



Canada finished the war with the third-largest navy and the

Fourth largest air force in the world. The world thanked Canada with the

Same sublime indifference as it had the previous time.



Canadian participation in the war was acknowledged in film

Only if it was necessary to give an American actor a part in a campaign in

Which the United States had clearly not participated - a touching

Scrupulousness which, of course, Hollywood has since abandoned, as it has

Any notion of a separate Canadian identity.

So it is a general rule that actors and filmmakers arriving

In Hollywood keep their nationality - unless, that is, they are Canadian.

Thus Mary Pickford, Walter Huston, Donald Sutherland, Michael J. Fox,

William Shatner, Norman Jewison, David Cronenberg, John Candy, Alex Trebek,

Art Linkletter and Dan Aykroyd, Martin Short, Mike Myers, have in the popular perception become

American, and Christopher Plummer, British.



It is as if, in the very act of becoming famous, a Canadian

Ceases to be Canadian, unless she is Margaret Atwood, who is as unshakably

Canadian as a moose, or Celine Dion, for whom Canada has proved quite

Unable to find any takers.



Moreover, Canada is every bit as querulously alert to the

Achievements of its sons and daughters as the rest of the world is

Completely unaware of them. The Canadians proudly say of themselves - and

Are unheard by anyone else - that 1% of the world's population has

Provided 10% of the world's peacekeeping forces.



Canadian soldiers in the past half century have been the

Greatest peacekeepers on Earth - in 39 missions on UN mandates, and six on

Non-UN peacekeeping duties, from Vietnam to East Timor, from Sinai to

Bosnia.



Yet the only foreign engagement that has entered the popular

Non-Canadian imagination was the sorry affair in Somalia, in which

Out-of-control paratroopers murdered two Somali infiltrators. Their

Regiment was then disbanded in disgrace - a uniquely Canadian act of

Self-abasement for which, naturally, the Canadians received no

International credit.



So who today in the United States knows about the stoic and

Selfless friendship its northern neighbour has given it in Afghanistan?



Rather like Cyrano de Bergerac, Canada repeatedly does

Honourable things for honourable motives, but instead of being thanked, it

Remains something of a figure of fun. It is the Canadian way, for which

Canadians should be proud, yet such honour comes at a high cost. This

Past year more grieving Canadian families know that cost all too tragically

Well.

Lest we forget.

[TexasParent]

Truer words have never be spoken. As a Canadian living in the United States it's quite clear that even though we are the second largest country in the world, share the longest unprotected border in the world, provide more oil to the United States than any other country, and are America's largest trading partner; we are viturally ignored.

That's OK, we are the quiet neighbour who would leave a basket of essentials at the door of someone in need and simply walk away happy in the knowledge we have helped and don't require any accolades or thanks.

To the brave men and women who selflessly serve in the Armed Forces; who put themselves in harms way for others when Canada doesn't seem to have a political, strategic, or economic reason to help; we simply do, because it's the right thing to do. I salute each and everyone, they make me proud to be a Canadian.

Thank you so much for posting this before Remembrance Day.

I hope everyone will join us in a minute of silence on the 11th minute, of the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month for all those (not just Canadian's) who gave their lives so that we might live in a better and safer world.

[starbuck8]

Truer words have never be spoken. As a Canadian living in the United States it's quite clear that even though we are the second largest country in the world, share the longest unprotected border in the world, provide more oil to the United States than any other country, and are America's largest trading partner; we are viturally ignored.

That's ok, we are the quiet neighbour who would leave a basket of essentials at the door of of someone in need and simply walk away happy in the knowledge we have helped and don't require any accolades or thanks.

To the brave men and women who selflessly serve in the Armed Forces; who put themselves in harms way for others when Canada doesn't seem to have a political, strategic, or economic reason to help; we simply do, because it's the right thing to do. I salute each and everyone, they make me proud to be a Canadian.

Thank you so much for posting this before Rememberance Day.

I hope everyone will join us in a minute of silence on the 11th minute, of the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month for all those (not just Canadian's) who gave their lives so that we might live in a better and safer world.

Couldn't have said it better! I will be wearing my poppies, and giving my moment of silence along with the rest. I'm glad we have a Texan who keeps their Canadian roots firmly planted, while inviting all others to join us in a moment of silence to honour Canada's fight for peace, and remembrance of the lives lost while fighting to keep our neighbours safe. Lest we be forgotten in our peace keeping missions.

[Stringer]

Excellent thread starby... thank you.

I think from my conversations with others here in the States that almost everyone here agrees and appreciates Canada and Canadians. You have always been a staunch friend. God Bless those Canadians that have always offered the world their lives, their shoulder and their help.

" God Bless Canada!!! "

The 11th is also Veterans Day here in this country, I always fly my flag and tomorrow I am putting another two flags on display. There is no greater sacrifice than to serve you country. And for those that gave their lives or limbs I also say God Bless you. I am an old veteran but I have never forgotten how it is.

Stringer

[starbuck8]

Thank you my dear Stringer! We may not call the day by the same name, but it's for the same reason. To honour our troops. Canada is also a part of the Continent we call America, so we will honour your day also. God Bless America, which includes Canada! :)

[spyderglass]

i love you canada!!!!

[magprob]

Canada is part of the big bologna sandwich. It is between the two pieces of bread known as Russia and the United States. What better place to intercept? Thank you Canada.

[starbuck8]

Now are you sure that's not a spam sandwich Mag? LOL! ;)

[Stringer]

Thankyou my dear Stringer! We may not call the day by the same name, but it's for the same reason. To honour our troops. Canada is also a part of the Continent we call America, so we will honour your day also. God Bless America, which includes Canada! :)

Thank you dear.

[magprob]

Now are you sure that's not a spam sandwich Mag?? LOL!! ;)

I don't like my Spam fried.

[tomder55]

I honor all the brave soldiers of Canada who have fallen in the cause of liberty . I am well aware of Canada's contribution to the alliance as well as how we have contributed to Canada's defense. The author of this article appears to be afflicted with an overly defensive inferiority complex that is really unbecoming and unwarranted .

On Nov.11 the United States honors all veterans (we honor our war dead in May's Memorial Day) . The date however is the date of the Armistice that ended WWI . Both our nations had horrific casualties in that conflict.

Our nations are allied due to a mutually beneficial defense ; economic and cultural reasons . Perhaps the UK author forgets Canada's sacrifice . But this American does not.

[kindj]

While in the service, I had several opportunities to train with and fight beside members of the Canadian armed forces. Good men, all of them, and I was honored to have met them.

As an American (and a redneck Texan to boot) I don't always agree with Canada's methods of government. Then again, I don't often agree with my own country's methods of government. However, the fact remains that Canada is a very worthy ally and friend, and has some of the most beautiful landscapes that this poor ol' desert dweller has ever had the privilige to lay eyes upon.

When push comes to shove, I'll stand with you, Canada.

DK

[starbuck8]

We're proud to be your neighbours, and we always have one anothers backs.

[Skell]

We honour WWI veterans today too here in Australia, along with ANZAC Day on the 25th April. Sadly we have no surviving 'diggers' left.

I have read many books on WWI but none better than Les Carlyon's "The Great War" about the Allies on the Western Front. Although predominantly about Australian troops and their bravery there is many references to the Canadians and the massive influence they played in winning the War.

Booktopia - The Great War, Les Carlyon, 9781405037617

How we all must wish that it really was the 'war to end all wars'.