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Sunday, November 11, 2007
Lest We Forget
I remember Edward Albert Dowe, the great uncle I never knew. He was born in 1923 in Toronto Ontario, the youngest brother of my Grandad. Like my Grandad, Edward joined up to fight in the Second World War. Unlike my Grandad, Edward chose to join the RCAF and not the Army.
On February 20th 1944, Pilot Officer Edward Albert Dowe was killed in action in Germany, most likely when his plane was shot down. He is buried in Eindhoven General Cemetery.
Originally posted @ Ranting Owl
Posted by Leah Dowe on November 11, 2007 | Permalink
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In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
God bless our military men & women wherever they may find themselves!
Posted by: obc | 2007-11-11 1:14:46 PM
Poster Joe Molnar at smalldeadanimals said this today:
"The pastor who spoke at the Woodstock, Ontario cenotaph this morning had a line worth repeating to the politicians who bleat for terrorist pacification and retreat.
He said : 'if you will not stand behind our military services, then go and stand in front of them' "
Posted by: Sounder | 2007-11-11 2:02:31 PM
The parade at our local cenotaph was quite well attended by the general public.
The Veterans, Legion members, reservists, reg forces, mounties and army/ air/ navy cadets in attendance did a fine job. The Pipe and drum band was, as usual, excellent. There even was a stirring singing of "God save the Queen" after "O Canada", I was quietly proud of the large number of young people knew and sang the words to both. Maybe there's hope for Canada after all.
Posted by: Hoser | 2007-11-11 2:34:06 PM
Excellent comment Sounder and clearly the pastor does not belong to the church of liberalism. There is a saying that those who stand for nothing will fall for anything. Sorry that I do not know the person first stating it, but it remains true to-day.
It is truly because of our brave and honourable soldiers that we were given freedom and democracy. May God bless each and every one of them then as now along with their families. May we not lose this freedom and democracy due to complacence.
Posted by: Alain | 2007-11-11 3:32:19 PM
OBC- Thanks for the poem. On this day I am mindful of my Grandfather, Acting Corporal Horace John Kneller CAMC (regimental number 40001) who served under Lt. Col. John McCrae and was not only with him at his death but served in the colour guard at his funeral.
McCrae was not only a fine man, he was a fine poet and soldier, and through his works has exemplified the life our ancestors went through to keep this country free.
GOD BLESS THEM ALL!
Posted by: atric | 2007-11-11 3:50:20 PM
atric ~
It was my honour & pleasure to post that most moving poem.
alain ~
“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.”
~ Alexander Hamilton
Posted by: obc | 2007-11-11 4:11:55 PM
I cried today--I always say I won't but as usual, I cry whenever we have a ceremony and remember the fallen.
As for those who spit on freedom, I have only one thing to say:
Every country has an Army. It is either yours or somebody elses.
Shalom people--and that means Peace!
Posted by: Lady | 2007-11-11 4:17:51 PM
Last Summer, I visited Vimy, France.
I was honoured to find my family name on a few soldiers' names on that wonderful monument. They kept quite a few spaces as they were when the war ended, even some trenches. I visited a few very well kept cemeteries also.
War is not wanted by anyone. But when we have to fight, we must do it with honor. These days in Spain, they are voting a law about the civil war. People are still hurt.
We are one of the countries with the longest period without a war. We should be thankful to the Lord for that.
Posted by: Rémi Houle | 2007-11-11 5:24:38 PM
I will not forget the sacrifices of those who fought for me. I will not forget how lucky I am to have been born in a country so amply blessed with unbroken generations of selfless people who fought and died for us. They became heroes the minute they volunteered to serve their country.
I am very happy about the renewed support we see in Canada for giving our armed forces more of the equipment they need to do their jobs. Without our armed forces we are without credibility on the world stage.
Posted by: Larry | 2007-11-11 5:53:51 PM
I flew into a tantrum yesterday when I saw the traitor Taliban Jack disgrace the Canadian War Memorial with his presence yesterday. I hope someone removed the wreath he presented so that it not disgrace the memory of the brave with his yellow cowardice.
Epsi
Posted by: epsilon | 2007-11-12 10:22:35 AM
Epsi,
Had he been a politician during WWII--he would have suggested we negotiate a peace deal with Hitler--and probably along the lines that Canada hand over all the Jews--and whoever else Hitler would have liked to have murdered.
At minimum--he would have done it to save his job and present an opposition to fighting against Hitler in Europe.
I have no respect whatsoever for that thing who likes to refer to himself as a humanitarian--he is NOT!
He would like us all to negotiate with terrorists who have killed our soldiers, and who live to torture women and children--so he is nothing--which is why I never state his real name--will not be utterred under my roof.
Posted by: Lady | 2007-11-12 12:14:58 PM
Lady,
Any of your family serve Canada durring world war II?
Anyone in Afganistan fightingfor your freedom???
Just curious!
Posted by: conservative_crusador | 2007-11-12 2:47:26 PM
Well, Taliban Jack sure was being himself, a hypocrite of the first order and shameless at that.
Nothing new about a parade of hypocritical politicians trekking to the various Remembrance ceremonies. The Veterans and Members of the Forces are clued into that fact.
Posted by: Liz J | 2007-11-12 3:05:00 PM
conservative crusader,
I assume you really want to know whether we were soldiers or sailors?--of course, fighting against the Germans!
And let us say--we also fought with the Americans--against the Germans--and also were highly decorated.
Suffice it to say my relatives fought as part of the allied forces--and also volunteered in every other capacity you can imagine.
In fact--one of my Uncles (who was not a Canadian--but Polish) was one of the first to go into one of the death camps, where he found one of our relatives. He escaped the Nazis, made it to England where he volunteered to serve with the Brits. My cousin, she survived the holocaust--but died within a few years as a result of the malnutrition--it is difficult to go from 5 foot six and less than 70 pounds back to full health again.
So, there were no cowards in my family--I can tell you that!
And my family was decimated by Hitler--most did not make it through the second WWII--and what they went through you can read about and see in movies about the Holocaust--if you have the stomac for it. And no--they did not die without a struggle for their lives--just people were too easy to not listen--like the taliban jack forces of today--who would rather negotiate with terrorists.
You cannot negotiate with those who do not consider you to be a human being in the first place--let us keep that straight.
Posted by: Lady | 2007-11-12 3:05:28 PM
Liz J,
taliban jack and his friends -- they'll support the dead--but will not back the living soldiers--because they love dead soldiers, sailors and aviators. They don't understand--and like the journalists who get trapped by the terrorists and killed, do not understand what it is truly all about.
Posted by: Lady | 2007-11-12 3:07:59 PM
I have the stomach for any and everthing.
Posted by: conservative_crusador | 2007-11-12 3:27:34 PM
"I have the stomach for any and everthing."
Why do I have the feeling that C.C. would actually enjoy watching these scenes?
Posted by: obc | 2007-11-12 3:38:21 PM
obc,
Don't pretend to ever assume anything. You could end up looking like an ass.
I truly am offended.
Posted by: conservative_crusador | 2007-11-12 3:47:21 PM
CC ~
Then make it clear how these images would offend you - something you did not state clearly.
Now's your chance!
Posted by: obc | 2007-11-12 4:00:42 PM
Shalom,
In case there was any confusion regarding where the Jewish Community sits in regards to our fallen--including ALL Canadians who fell in war--the following speaks very loud and very clear.
The following is a copy of a message that was sent to me; read it and remember.
-------------------------------------------------
Canadian Jewish Congress is pleased to share with you the text of a benediction by CJC co-president Rabbi Reuven P. Bulka's as part of Canada's National Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa yesterday.
BENEDICTION OF RABBI REUVEN P. BULKA
Honorary Chaplain, Dominion Command,
Royal Canadian Legion
Remembrance Day, November 11, 2007
Nous sommes ici pour nous souvenir et témoigner. We remember the supreme sacrifice that so many Canadians made, and were ready to make, on land, in the air, at sea; the dead, the wounded, the survivors, the war widows - Anglophones, Francophones, natives, members of a wide range of ethnic and religious communities, we laud and applaud these heroic Canadians.
Today, we hear the welcome expression - We support our troops. But that does not tell it all. More than mere support, what should be on our lips and in our hearts is - we love our troops. Let's say it together - We love our troops.
We love our troops because of their selflessness. We love our troops because of their unswerving love of Canada. We love our troops because of their bravery and their dignity in combat. And we love our troops because through them, we gain a more vivid, vital appreciation of all the veterans who fought, on behalf of Canada, for global freedom.
The act of remembrance is the imperative to express unrelenting thanks to our heroic veterans. We love our troops, we love and venerate our veterans, who fought for a world of peace and harmony.
That fight continues, and Canadian resolve is unabated. We yearn for the safe return of our troops to a tranquil, harmonious Canada.
As the troops fought and fight for freedom, ours is the supreme responsibility to give meaning to that freedom, by embracing the language of respect, the language of inclusion, the language of harmony - to thereby build gentle, caring communities wherein everyone feels welcome, at home and appreciated. That is the Canadian way.
We love our veterans and the freedom we enjoy thanks to them. We remember, with everlasting gratitude, by giving meaning and substance to that freedom. Let us together soldier on toward that goal. And may God bless our sacred partnership. Amen.
-------------------------------------------------
So, let us remember, to NEVER foget.
Shalom to all; and Shalom for one.
Lady
Posted by: Lady | 2007-11-12 8:12:18 PM
I know what the word Conservative is but what the heck is a Crusador?
Posted by: atric | 2007-11-13 5:18:48 AM
Yes, what is a "Crusador? Maybe Cuspidor would be more fitting.
Posted by: Liz J | 2007-11-13 6:08:45 AM
Now who do we know about who goes around doing the manipulation by being "truly offended"?
Posted by: Lady | 2007-11-13 8:25:14 AM
All,
My apologies. I incorrectly spelt crusader in my tag name. It was a long day.
Won't happen again.
Posted by: conservative_crusader | 2007-11-13 8:46:00 AM
But CC still hasn't explained how he would react to those disgusting pix of people being gassed to death.
All we know is that he could "stomach" watching them.
Posted by: obc | 2007-11-13 2:01:56 PM
obc,
You should stop talking like that.
I think he likes it.
My guess is he's from Pakistan or region thereabouts.
Posted by: Lady | 2007-11-13 11:33:37 PM
Lest we forget - except if the Court decides we should forget what our soldiers fought for:
"Montreal judge rules Greek flag painting unsafe"
A Montreal municipal judge ruled Thursday that a Greek flag painted on a garage is unsafe, effectively putting an end to a three-year court battle over a display of nationalistic pride.
The judge ruled the blue-and-white painting is distracting to passing drivers and has ordered it to be removed from the double garage door of Theodore Antonopoulos' home.
CTV Montreal's Herb Luft said the judge ruled the flag created "visual pollution" and would have set a precedent for "potential chaos."
BUT HAD IT BEEN QUEBEC'S provincial flag, would the decision have been the same? Courts are now taking the power to tell us how to paint our homes!!!
Posted by: obc | 2007-11-15 11:17:22 AM
Perhaps that should be tested on the same location as was painted the Greek Flag?
I learn't, while growing up, that you do not do things that are disrespectful to other people's flags. It is unladylike--to say the least. What is wrong with having a flag painted somewhere? Probably nothing wrong at all--unless of course it is the flag of some terrorist group--or the Nazis, in which case I would object--that would be much worse than "visual pollution"!
Posted by: Lady | 2007-11-15 11:37:25 AM
Lady ~
I suspect the problem was that Greece's blue-and-white flag has a cross on it in the upper left quadrant.
THAT'S what annoyed everyone!
Posted by: obc | 2007-11-15 11:42:03 AM
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