As a boy, I used to sell poppies door to door for Uncle Eph (Eaphraim) Cooper. Well I guess it was for the Legion, of which he was a member, but I always called it for him.
As such I learned what they were all about, and gained a great deal of pride in my Newfoundland and family heritage, learning about such things as the Battle of Beaumont Hamel, Vimy Ridge etc.
Uncle Eph was a veteran of WWI, and I will always remember what he and his companions did and scarified for us, and I will always wear the poppy.
I have no objection to those who want to protest war, my wearing of the poppy doesn’t signify a glorification of war. I do believe sometimes wars are necessary, or have been. Sometimes freedom IS at stake. And for those who are free to protest war, think about what your freedom cost.
Do I believe some of the actions or government takes now are for freedom? No, I do believe many are for profit. And to me that’s just another sign of the deterioration of our so called democracy, not a reflection on our soldiers.
Remember those who are lost, those who didn’t come home, those who sacrificed all. Remember that we are free, free to argue, free to not wear a badge, a number, free from incarceration without cause.
“Blind faith in your leaders, or in anything,
will get you killed.”
Bruce Springsteen.
Don’t take our freedom for granted. Honor those who have fallen, but remember what they fought for, and lets make sure we don’t lose it from the inside.
- They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again;
They sit no more at familiar tables of home;
They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;
They sleep beyond England’s foam
One of the most poignant remembrance day images comes from the comedy show Black Adder. Have a watch. Probably the toughest TV scene I’ve ever watched, if you can make it through without tears, well you’re doing better than me.
Raised in outport Newfoundland in a town of 65 people, I pursued a post secondary diploma in Information Technology right out of High School.
I’ve always been a geek at heart, but yet I love the rural life I grew up with. Fishing, hunting, camping and the great outdoors are still loves of mine, even if I don’t pursue them as often as I once did. Sports were always a big part of our lives, and I played many (badly) and loved them all.
