Some of us raise a glass in toast to fallen comrades, many observe a minute of silence, but there are countless other ways people remember.

Regardless of the method, I hope that we will each take a moment to honour our past and serving members, and appreciate the sacrifices the have made.

I for one will be lucky enough to attend the Remembrance Day ceremony put on by my old reserve unit, The West Nova Scotia Regiment.

I'd be curious to hear where and how others are going to remember.

Cheers

When Kim Il Sung decided to united Korea by force of arms, South Korea crumbled. But 16 countries decided to answer the call to fight for freedom and they came and they died. Some of them came fight communist invaders. Some came to rejoin the military life they loved. But they answered the call and because of them, South Korea remains free, and I, a descendant of South Korea, remain in freedom.
So this day I thank with all my heart to those who fought and died in Korean War.... For without them, I would be living in North Korean dictatorship.
The 16 countries were
Australia
Canada
New Zealand
United Kingdom
Belgium
Luxembourg
Colombia
Ethiopia
France
Greece
the Netherlands
the Philippines
Thailand
Turkey
South Africa
United States
Some other countries sent supplies and medical staff as well.

JUST A SIMPLE SOLDIER
~Author Unknown~

He was getting old and his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with buddies; they were the heroes, every one.
And though sometimes to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer, for he has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.

No, he won't be mourned by many, just his friends, children, and wife,
For he lived a very quiet sort of ordinary life.
He held a job, and raised a family, quietly going on his way.
And the world won't note his passing; though a soldier died today.

When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell of their life stories from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.

Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow, who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country and offer up his life?
The politician's stipend and the style in which he lives,
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives,
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps a pension small.

It's so easy to forget them, for it was so long ago
That the husbands, sons, and fathers went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger with your enemies at hand,
Would you really want some cop-out politician with his waffling stand?
Or would you want a soldier who has sworn to defend,
His home, his kin, and country, and would fight until the end?

He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us, we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldiers part,
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor while he's here to receive the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps a simple headline in the paper that might say:
"Our Country is in Mourning, for a Soldier Died Today"

THE FINAL INSPECTION
~author unknown~

The soldier stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass,
He hoped his shoes were shining bright,
Just as brightly as his brass,
"Step forward now, soldier,
How shall I deal with you?
Have you turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"
The soldier squared his shoulders and said,
"No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry guns
can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
Because the world is awfully tough,
But, I never took a thing
That wasn't mine keep...
Though I worked alot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep,
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept manly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the People here,
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fears.
If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand,
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand."
There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints often trod
As the soldier waited quietly,
for the judgement of his God,
"Step forward now, soldier,
You've borne your burdens well,
Come walk peacefully on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in HELL.

Regarding gunfire, in Vancouver there has always been an artillery salute (shots at intervals of, I think, one minute) following the silence as long as I've been on parade (since 1983).

[ 19 November 2001: Message edited by: Mark Schiller ]