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darkpuppet,Nov 11 2005, 02:49 PM Wrote:I actually got to thinking...  what does it mean to remember on Rememberance Day?

While my grandfather did serve in WWII, I don't feel any connection to those who served back then, and my appreciation of them ends at my appreciation of my country.  So what is it I'm remembering?

I remember my patriotism, and I remember why Canada is so great to me.  But I do this every single day of the year.  I live my life well, try to lead by example, and work freakin' hard to make the most out of the life that is afforded me.

That I live in a free country, a great country, I'll always remember, each and every single day. 

So when one day comes along, where, to me, people want me to remember something I have no connection to, I find it hard.  I can appreciate everything our veterans did for us, but it's hard for me to pull out any more patriotism out of me for Rememberance Day itself.

And it leaves me wondering what the hell I've got wrong in me that I don't connect with Rememberance Day as so many people seem to.  It's like I can't internally over-dramatize it enough to warrant an emotional connection on the subject...
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I'm with you man. I know what you're talking about, because I'm super patriotic too.

The thing to remember is, today is not about Canada. It's about the vets who fought for it. And think about that...

How do you make Rememberance Day special when you have no "connection" to those who fought? Ask yourself: You say you are patriotic, but would you LAY DOWN YOUR LIFE for Canada?

Think about that on this day. This is what today is about. Remember their sacrifices, and think about what it means. It means loving Canada so much, as to sacrifice your life to protect it.

Canada Day is for celebrating Canada.

Rememberance Day is for thinking about those who *went to war* to protect Canada, and the sacrifices they made. And I think part of honouring the vets, is asking yourself, would you do the same?

I ask myself that somewhat frequently, and I know I would do it. I actually signed up for the Reserves one summer, but I was too late and they were full.

I get pretty disappointing to see how it works in the US. It's sad.

They call today Veteran's Day. And nobody does ANYTHING for it. It's like it doesn't exist. The UAW for example, negotiated to get the day off, a long time ago. But some time ago, they actually changed it... they wanted that day later in November, so they could go hunting. So they don't get today off, they get the first day of hunting season off.

I think that's damned pathetic.

They also do Memorial Day in May, but if you ask me, that's also lost it's respect. It's more about the first long weekend of the summer, than remembering war. (Who thinks of the queen on Victoria day!)

I wore a poppy to work today. Nobody has a clue what it's about. One guy asked me if today is Canada Day. I'm not kidding. He thought maybe it was a maple leaf. His mind couldn't even recall that today is Veteran's Day, and maybe we do something in Canada.

Everybody else stares at, and not many actually ask. They have no idea. It's sad.

Oh, that same guy... When I told him it was Rememberance Day, he said "What, for the 12 Canadians who died?" I could hit him, if he wasn't two levels up. I told him we had more people per capita in the war than they did.