REMEMBERING OUR CANADIAN VETERANS

Once just Remembrance Day, now we have Veterans' Week November 5-11. It gives more time to reflect on our military history and the sacrifices made to have the peace we have today in Canada. Our recent missions in Afghanistan and other nations bring home the fact there are still conflicts and suffering in the world.

In parks, town centers and avenues, monuments exist to honour local heroes who served and those who died. The army, navy, air force and merchant marine have men and women from all walks of life. In our family, there are individuals that served in World War One- Ernest Ellis and World War Two- Ellerington Park, Parkin Alton and Norman Ellis. Families across Canada will have similar stories about their loved ones. A family friend has a Mom- Amy Evans- who served with the Canadian army in England. She met Jack there and he came to Canada with her as a War husband.
If you have not done it, talk to the older Vets and get their stories- write them down, film them, tape them. Once they are gone, then their stories are gone. Learn about the famous battles and Canada's role in them. By honouring our past, we learn to find a way to resolve conflict peacefully in this modern world. I hope the Canadian military returns to its peacekeeping role- helping communities build, bringing fresh water supplies, education and health- in a wonderful way. When you think of Canada's history, what stories come to mind for you? Do you have a special person you like to honour?

TULIPS-THANKS TO THE PEOPLE OF NETHERLANDS

Every year in Ottawa  Canada we celebrate the tulip festival. During World War Two, the Dutch royalty was housed in Canada and as a thank you the people of the Netherlands gave Canada tulip bulbs.

From Ottawa and to the East coast then to the West coast and everywhere in between, tulips are popping up in Canadian gardens.

So it is possible to have our own little tulip festival in our own yards. Do you have tulips in your garden? Aren't they so beautiful?

HISTORICAL EVENTS IMPACT OUR LIVES

And often make us reflect about where we were, what we were doing and who was with us. I thought of this reflection after watching a segment of Canada AM about the 25th anniversary of the Space Shuttle explosion. My life has been influenced by the Kennedy assassination, the Viet Nam war and all the protests, Trudeau era, Diana/Charles wedding and her eventual death, major world disasters and of course, September 11th to name a few. Sometimes events coincide with situations in our own lives so the identification and emotions are closer. Our folks who lived through the Great Depression and World War Two brought their memories and experiences into our lives. Our children will have their own set of events that have an influence on them. Not everyone will have the same experience and observations from an event. Are there events that impacted your life and still bring emotions? Do you review history and see connections to today? Do we learn from those events? I find being connected to a big event somehow makes my small existence seem more important. Do you ever feel the same way?