Tuesday, November 11, 2008

:: We Will Remember Them ::

As you all know, November 11th is Remembrance Day. It's a day that has never been closer to my heart, now being part of a "military family".
Our church asked Nathan to come up on Sunday and share a bit about the Afghan mission and about being soldier. He spoke so well and I think touch a few hearts when he talked about how all a soldiers wants is for his fellow countrymen to appreciate what they've done.
This morning Trev, Denay and I drove down to Nanaimo with my parents for the parade and ceremony that Nathan was apart of. We got Denay all bundled up as the weather was pretty drizzly and cool.
The parade began.....
Nathan is directly in the middle of this picture......and the tallest guy.
Again.

Miss Muffett dozed off......thank goodness.

This gentleman was standing to my right and just touched my heart......he sung with such feeling and was in tears the whole ceremony. I can only imagine the memories and experiences behind those tears.
The March Past and Citizen Salute.....Nathan is the guy with the dot on his head.
We hunted him down afterwards to take some pictures. Nathan has been in the military for almost nine years and I've never seen him in his dress uniform. We also found out he was awarded a combat medal for his service overseas.
Strolling with Oma.....
I truly and sincerely hope that you got out and attended a memorial ceremony in your area. I think I can be pretty confident in saying that everyone is separated by no more than two or three degrees from somebody who has served our country, and possibly paid with their life. Ninety-seven Canadian have given their lives for the sake of the betterment of a country that needed them. Each one of them was someones son, husband, boyfriend, friend, brother, uncle and many of them were soon to be husbands and fathers. War touches us all, let us never forget the sacrifices made by so many and their families.


"Let us remember before God, and commend to His sure keeping:
Those who have died for their country in war;
Those whom we knew, and whose memory we treasure:
And all who have lived and died in the service of mankind.
They shall not grow old as we who 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.
Lest We Forget.
When you go home, tell them of us and say,
For their tomorrow,
We gave our today.
Though they have passed from our midst,
Let us never their sacrifice and service.
All gave some.
Some gave all.
We Shall Remember Them."

3 comments:

Meg Baxter said...

Thank you, Christy.

Jason and Kristin said...

that was an awesome post! Thanks :) You must be so proud of your brother!

Joanne said...

I wish we could have heard Nathan on Sunday....glad you were able to attend the Memorial services in Victoria. I'm sure that man next to you was blessed by you being there beside him....Lest we forget.