LEST WE FORGET

 Posts on Facebook.

Services.

Ottawa with its poppies that are illuminated.

The Elora project with knitted and crocheted poppies lining the church.

And the list goes on.

Honouring our veterans past and present.

Remember.

Lest we Forget!

#remembranceday2021#remembering#amomentofsilence#eloraproject#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#barbaradimambro

WHO IS YOUR CANADIAN HERO FOR REMEMBRANCE DAY?

Most Canadians have had a family member that has served in a war past or present. So honouring the day but thinking of those family members makes it more poignant. For new immigrants to the country wanting to do a special remembrance find out who served from your area learning about that person. Some schools have their students learn about the people who attended their school who served. Special trips have been arranged to go to Europe on student trips to learn about the war efforts. We do not remember and honour because we believe in war. We do it at an reminder to try to end wars. So do you have someone? To Ernie, Ellie, Parkin, Jim- it is your day! We thank you and honour you for your service.
#remembranceday#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#rememberingourfamilymembers#studentsstudyaboutwarheros#tryingtoendwar#whoisyourspecialperson

REMEMBRANCE DAY WEEK 2018 IN CANADA

Lots of services started for various conflicts the world has seen.  Canadians have served in all the world conflicts. Although we had draft dodgers in the 1960s many Canadians also served in the Vietnam War too.
So when we remember and wear our poppies, consider all the Armed Forces personnel who have served as well as those serving today.
November 11 falls on a Sunday so I will attend my local service that always occurs the Sunday before Remembrance Day. This year at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month which marks the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One it will be poignant to be part of the event.

                                                         Wear a poppy! Attend a service!
#Remembranceday#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara#endofworldwarone#allthewars#rememberingourArmedForces#canadaservestheworld

NANA SAYS TEACH YOUR CHILDREN ABOUT WORLD WAR ONE

As it has become known the 100th anniversary of the end of World War One occurs November 11, 2018. Reminding children that from war came the peace and prosperity of Canada.Peace comes with a price.  Knowing what war means and ways to try to prevent it in the future is always a good thing. Acknowledging the sacrifices of armed force personnel yesterday, today and tomorrow gives a perspective to children. Wear the poppy. Go to the Remembrance Day services. Have activities at schools. We do not want to glorify war. We want to demonstrate it has been a part of the human condition. We want to honour any family members that served. So if you do not know who served from your family, well then find out. Last year two of my grandsons had their great-grandfather's picture at their Remembrance Day service at their school. It was a short simple gesture of remembering. WW1 was supposed to be the war to end all wars. Trying to understand why it did not is a huge discussion but one that needs to occur. November and Remembrance Day can help with that topic. It can be an ongoing conversation occurring periodically.

#remembranceay#wearapoppy#worldwar1#childrenneedtolearnabouttheirhistory#learningaboutwarhelpsusunderstandthepriceofpeace#reflectivethoughtsbybarbara

WAR CEMETERIES- REFLECTIONS OF A VISIT TO CASSINO ITALY

Visiting a war cemetery can be very poignant. Starting in Sicily in September 1943, the Allied Forces began their campaign to liberate Italy. Some of the most aggressive major battles occurred in the Cassino area to try to take Monte Cassino. The spring of 1944 and especially May was significant. My husband comes from this area. His mother often told stories of this time and how scary it was. The town of Cassino was completely demolished, needing to be rebuilt after the war. So it was important to visit this very large cemetery in the region.

Near the town is the British Commonwealth Cemetery. Called the English cemetery as there are Polish and German ones in the area.

There are many graves and also names of those without graves.

For me that visit in August 1991 brought home the realization of the sacrifice of life.

More than 40% are Canadian. So going up and down the rows to honour my fallen Canadians was a memorable event in my life.

All areas of Canada represented.

Notice the Maple Leaves.

Each grave beautifully kept by the local community.

Monte Cassino Monastery visible in the background.

The name Parks. No relation to us.

Young men.

Significant writing on the entrance.

A place to stop and reflect and honour.

Another view.
By visiting a war cemetery, it reminds all of us to remember. For those with people in the Polish or German cemetery, I do have some pictures I could scan and send you.
Email me at abdm@rogers.com.
Photos- copyright 2017- by Barbara.
#Cassino#Italy#Canadian#BritishCommonwealthCemetery#Italiancampaign#MonteCassino#WorldWarTwo#graves#Canada#AlliedForces#reflections#remembrance#1944#May1944#Remembrance's

FIVE REASONS TO WEAR YOUR POPPY

Leading up to Remembrance Day, the red poppies come out. So why wear one.

1. A reminder of the  John McCrae poem- in Flanders Fields the poppies blow. A Canadian serving in World War One, he wrote it May 3, 1915. He died in the war but his poem has lived in the hearts of this country.

2. The red poppy can be seen from a distance. Look at a crowd wearing them. Red matches all colours.

3. A simple way to stop and reflect on past, present and the future military campaigns.

4. The money raised supports the Legions and Veterans.

5. We honour our own family members that served. We honour others who served. We honour those that are serving our country now.

Remembering military and peacekeeping missions does not mean that anyone condones conflicts. But in order to have a peaceful nation it is important to remember, honour and work towards solutions for a peaceful world.

So wear the poppy for whatever reason that has meaning to you!
#johnmcrae#redpoppy#remembranceday#november11th#canadians#canada#legions#reflection#familymembers#peacekeepingmissions#flandersfields

REMEBRANCE DAY CEREMONIES

November 11th falls on a Saturday. In our town there is always a Remembrance Day celebration the Sunday before the real day. So November 5, a little early will be the day we will honour our past and currently serving Armed Forces. I have been going to the local one for many years now. Rain, cold and nice days. Does not matter I am there. So are you going to your local ceremonies for our troops?

Will you have your special wreath for a family member or local group? The wreaths make such a lovely display.

REMEMBRANCE DAY 2016

Each year services are held across Canada to honour our Veterans and those serving in conflicts today throughout the world. It is not always possible for working people to find time to go to a service today. Many places have a service the Sunday before the day, like we did here in Richmond Hill Ontario Canada. Other countries have their own days of Remembrance too. Our Allies often celebrate and remember at the same time as we do. Teaching children the history, remembering makes us aware to fight for peace. To try to make the world a better place, safe for all. Giving people a home where they can have education, good health care and opportunities to live. Our troops go to areas of conflict for those reasons. To help the people there to find the stability they need. In disaster areas, our troops have brought water filtration systems to clean up their water to ensure survival at a basic level. Here in Canada our troops have been sent to our areas of natural disaster to assist. Years ago when Mayor Lastman was ridiculed for asking the troops to Toronto to go door to door to check on people during a very bad winter after a bad storm. The fact was no one died and all the elderly that needed some support received it. So who had the last laugh! Our Armed Forces are there for us every day in their own way. Protecting us! As well as honouring our troops, remember all our public servants that protect and serve like the police, Mounties, firemen and anyone out there keeping us safe. A day of Remembrance but a time to reflect on what has real meaning to us!

REMEMBRANCE DAY-TWO MINUTES OF SILENCE

It does not seem like much but two minutes of silence gives time to think. I often wonder what others may be thinking about. I usually think of my family and how lucky we are to live in a country like Canada. Then I think about the families who have lost loved ones and those who have people serving today. Two minutes does go by rather quickly. What are your thoughts? What do you think about? What are you remembering? You do not have to share as the two minutes are really your private moments.

RMEMBRANCE DAY SUNDAY- A TIME TO REFLECT

Each town and city across Canada will be having a Remembrance Day service this week. Many places had one today- like a Sunday Service. Today in Richmond Hill, I attended along with other community members and politicians. The crowd seemed a little larger than other years. Perhaps connecting with recent events of losing two military personnel on our own soil. Remembering and honouring those from many different conflicts that allow us as Canadians to have the freedoms we enjoy today. So on Tuesday wherever we are there will be two minutes of silence to reflect and remember. Where will you be??

Lest we forget!

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

Yesterday a special garden was opened in England to commemorate Flanders Fields in Belguim. Apparently bags of soil from Flanders Fields were transported from Belguin with reverence. They were brought to help to create the garden. Other gardens will be created throughout the world as a gift from the Belgians to those who fought on their land in World War One. For Canadians, John McCrae wrote a very famous poem that is read each Remembrance Day at services and ceremonies.

IN FLANDERS FIELDS

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 FLAILING 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.
John McCrae

He was one of many Canadians that did not survive the war. He did not survive the battles at Flanders Fields.

It is a very poignant poem. Short and simple. It could be applied to other conflicts and battles. So as Remembrance Day approaches, it is a time to reflect on the past but also to think about the present hoping the current conflicts will be short lived and hope for peace and prosperity for earth's children.

NANA SAYS VETERANS WEEK CAN TEACH OUR CHILDREN ABOUT OUR HISTORY

Veterans week gives a great opportunity to connect our children with the history of our country. Not to glorify war and world conflicts but to show how another generation fought to give us the freedoms we enjoy today. Taking children to war memorials and placing wreaths is an easy activity. Going to a Remembrance Day service connects with many generations. Schools often have talks and assemblies for Remembrance day. There are student groups now going to places in Europe like Vimy Ridge to demonstrate Canada's role and sacrifice for peace. New immigrants should be invited along to learn about our country's history. Learning and reciting a poem like " In Flanders Field" not tells us about a Canadian poet but is good literature. The War Museum in Ottawa gives centuries of our history. There are some amazing paintings as well. Not all history gets captured on a cell phone! Get a poppy and have your child wear one. In our busy schedules, slow down and stop to reflect on where we are today and who brought us there! Work on peaceful ways to settle conflicts. Support our troops in their peacekeeping missions. Teach your children that Canadians play a role on the world stage. Keep it simple! Depending on the child's age, monitor the information they need to know. My Dad gave a talk for grade schoolers one time. He concentrated on the planes he flew and generally what he did. As a Vet he did not want to scare the children! If you have a veteran in your family, give them a hug!

NOVEMBER A MONTH WITH MANY ACTIVITIES

Christmas shopping is underway in a huge way. I am having trouble hiding all the packages from my grandchildren. Letters to the troops are completed, addressed and stamped-ready for mailing. Sunday was Remembrance Day so time was made to attend a parade and service in Richmond Hill.

This year was very well attended with the beautiful sunny day and the fact it was on a Sunday.

Many wreaths were laid from all levels of government, local agencies and even for some individual family members from various generations that had served for Canada. After snapping a few pictures, I placed my lonely poppy to join them. Can you see it in the picture? I like the Ottawa service where people put their poppies on the unknown soldier's grave. It becomes an array of red love!

Sunday is always a day to rest- after two grandchildren had a sleepover, finish some household tasks-vacuum and mop the main floor, fold some laundry and work on the two blogs. Adolph depends on me to type his blog. Actually he had his Minestra soup featured on the Gastropost page of The National Post along with many others. I was excited. He was complacent! His blog continues to be about food from his Ciociaria area and sometimes he tells about food he has tried from other regions. http://granpalovestocook.blogspot.com
Earlier in the day, walking back from the service- about 20 minutes from the middle of Richmond Hill, I found a tree that still had some leaves so took another fall picture.

A strong Oak tree with green leaves amongst the yellow, a little reminder of the strength of Canadians everywhere. Sometimes I wish Sunday could be cloned into two days! How was your Remembrance Day? Is Christmas shopping underway in your home? Are your little grandchildren keeping you busy?

NANA SAYS CHILDREN ARE PARTICIPATING IN VETERANS' WEEK

Every year as we honour our Veterans at Remembrance Day , it is quite noticeable that young people are attending the ceremonies. High Schools across Canada now plan trips to memorials. Some even venture across to Europe visiting places like Vimy Ridge in France. Canadian history and our place in World history has become cool. This interest is due in part to our history. Actually, due to the involvement and commitment of our modern military going to places like Afghanistan and peacekeeping in Cyprus and other parts of the Middle East, our youth is viewing modern heroes serving our nation. News stories featuring our Highway of Heros on the 401, brings home the price that is paid to protect our country. Teaching our children not to glorify war but to promote peace takes a fine balance. Informing our young family members about other family members that served keeps the memories alive as well as saying thank you for the work. It helps with life's lessons of why it is important to resolve conflicts without injury. Honouring our Veterans also teaches that life can be tough with tough times. Do what you need to do in your family to remember. Wearing a poppy can be the easiest gesture. Besides they are rather pretty. Depending on the age of the child, too much detail may frighten the little ones while teenagers will understand differently.

NOVEMBER THE MONTH OF REMEMBERING

November is the in between month. Fall is starting to end. Day Light Savings time!Turning the clocks back! The trees have lost all their leaves so there is brown on brown. The days are starting to get shorter and darkness prevails. It is a month to gear up for Christmas, shopping, putting the outdoor lights up by the middle of the month, Remembrance Day, and of course a couple of family birthdays that bring some fun. If the weather holds- more outdoor cleanup and raking those last leaves. There is yard waste pickup until the end of November! I like the beginning of months as there is so much promise to set some goals to get "things" done. It is a time to remember as I like to start wearing my poppy today. How do you feel about the new month? Is it just another month or do you have plans?

REMEMBER D-DAY AND THE SACRIFICES FOR OUR FREEDOM

D-Day will stand out as a significant day in history. As with other famous battles, it was the beginning of the invasion of Europe to restore the freedoms to the countries there from the Nazi rule. An international effort that included many Canadians. Juno Beach was our beach. In World War Two, Canada played a major role. In time , we helped to liberate the Netherlands. Although we have Remembrance Day in November, today is another time to reflect on this very important day. By remembering, it helps us to fight even harder for peace in this world! Do you have someone from your family that was there? What is the story? Write it down! If the person is still alive, say thank you! If you encounter someone from the Armed Forces, say thank you! In order to have our freedoms we have today, others made sacrifices for us!

WE STAND ON GUARD FOR THEE

Are words known to all Canadians. As we honour and reflect this week leading up to Remembrance Day, why not try to find a person on a memorial wall who died in one of the conflicts where Canadians served and research the background. Or simply visit a memorial, reviewing the names. It is not possible for everyone to attend a service. Or when travelling the Highway of Heros on the 401 in Toronto, remember those who served in our Afghanistan mission. Where can you go in your home community? Will you be attending a service? I think I will walk up to the memorial in Richmond Hill this week to pause and reflect.

LEST WE FORGET

On this Remembrance Day, may we all reflect on those who have served our countries. May their efforts to bring peace to the world be part of our daily mission. To those in my family- Ernie Ellis in World War One, Dad and Uncle Norman in World War two and most recently- Jim in Afghanistan. Thank you. When you have your moment of silence is there someone you always think about? What does Remembrance Day mean to you?

CASSINO WAR MEMORIAL PART 2

The Cassino War Cemetery is in the Commune of Cassino, Province of Frosinone, Italy. There are 4265 grave markers of British Commonwealth Forces from World War Two. 855 Canadians are buried there. On the Monument with 4,054 names of individuals who do not have a grave there are 194 Canadian names. The cemetery is well kept. In the distance on the mountain is the Monte Cassino Monastery. The history of the battles in 1944 is well recorded and analysed. For me this cemetery represents a piece of Canada. Married to an Italian born Canadian- Adolph- I had always heard about the area and his hometown. When I visited this cemetery in 1991, I came away feeling that a part of Canada will always belong there. In the weeks leading up to Remembrance Day, I always ask the Veterans selling the poppies what campaign they fought. If it was the Italian campaign, I always mention my visit to Cassino. I am sure the memories of lost comrades in arms never leave them.