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Remember them well and with respect. The ones that also came home but were never the same person you knew before they left.

I just watched the Remembrance Day ceremony and saw many the many faces of the older soldier who fought for us. Their stories always amaze and tell so much about their bravery that they don't see as such. Do you ever wonder if you would have half their courage?

I remember a friend's father telling me what it was like for him to be in the German army. His side of the story opened my eyes. He talked about a soldier lying in a bed next to his (in the hospital), who took days to die from the burns received while trapped inside a burning tank. My friend's father could not say the name of the monster that caused that war. He hated his medals and what they represented.

I have family members that fought in the same war as my friend's father, but on the other side. My friend's father said he has much respect for the British, and Canadian army, and how they fought for the freedom of others.

I remember what my relatives living in England and Ireland said about living through those wars. Can we really imagine what the survivors from WW1 went through ... ???

To those who have sacrificed so much so we can live in freedom, no amount of appreciation will ever be enough.

This was not said to diminished what the survivors of ANY war have gone through. I doubt many of us could imagine what any survivor of any war has gone through.

... meaning other side from my Friend's father

Those men who served their country are . Much much thoughts of their braveness!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WG48Ftsr3OI


Eric Bogle - The Band Played Waltzing Matilda

conrad,that is a sad sad song about a sad sad experience of a rotten man killing war. makes eyes leak if you lissen to the words

I love this video ... makes so much sense too.

Read why this song was written ...
http://www.terry-kelly.com/pittance/pittance_en.htm#

Then watch the video of the song ... it's truly amazing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kX_3y3u5Uo

Daddy's Poem:

Her hair was up in a pony tail,
Her favorite dress tied with a bow.
Today was Daddy's Day at school,
And she couldn't wait to go.

But her mommy tried to tell her,
That she probably should stay home.
Why the kids might not understand,
If she went to school alone.

But she was not afraid;
She knew just what to say.
What to tell her classmates
Of why he wasn't there today.

But still her mother worried,
For her to face this day alone.
And that was why once again,
She tried to keep her daughter home.

But the little girl went to school
Eager to tell them all.
About a dad she never sees
A dad who never calls.
There were daddies along the wall in back,
For everyone to meet.
Children squirming impatiently,
Anxious in their seats

One by one the teacher called
A student from the class.
To introduce their daddy,
As seconds slowly passed.

At last the teacher called her name,
Every child turned to stare.
Each of them was searching,
A man who wasn't there.

'Where's her daddy at?'
She heard a boy call out.
'She probably doesn't have one,'
Another student dared to shout.

And from somewhere near the back,
She heard a daddy say,
'Looks like another deadbeat dad,
Too busy to waste his day.'

The words did not offend her,
As she smiled up at her Mom.
And looked back at her teacher,
Who told her to go on.
And with hands behind her back,
Slowly she began to speak.
And out from the mouth of a child,
Came words incredibly unique.

'My Daddy couldn't be here,
Because he lives so far away.
But I know he wishes he could be,
Since this is such a special day.

And though you cannot meet him,
I wanted you to know.
All about my daddy,
And how much he loves me so.

He loved to tell me stories
He taught me to ride my bike.
He surprised me with pink roses,
And taught me to fly a kite.

We used to share fudge sundaes,
And ice cream in a cone.
And though you cannot see him.
I'm not standing here alone.

'Cause my daddy's al ways with me,
Even though we are apart
I know because he told me,
He'll forever be in my heart'

With that, her little hand reached up,
And lay across her chest.
Feeling her own heartbeat,
Beneath her favorite dress.
And from somewhere here in the crowd of dads,
Her mother stood in tears.
Proudly watching her daughter,
Who was wise beyond her years.

For she stood up for the love
Of a man not in her life.
Doing what was best for her,
Doing what was right.

And when she dropped her hand back down,
Staring straight into the crowd.
She finished with a voice so soft,
But its message clear and loud.

'I love my daddy very much,
he's my shining star.
And if he could, he'd be here,
But heaven's just too far.

You see he is a Canadian soldier
And died just this past year
When a roadside bomb hit his convoy
And taught us all to fear.
But sometimes when I close my eyes,
it's like he never went away.'
And then she closed her eyes,
And saw him there that day.

And to her mothers amazement,
She witnessed with surprise.
A room full of daddies and children,
All starting to close their eyes.

cont'd.....

Who knows what they saw before them,
Who knows what they felt inside.
Perhaps for merely a second,
They saw him at her side.

'I know you're with me Daddy,'
To the silence she called out.
And what happened next made believers,
Of those once filled with doubt.

Not one in that room could explain it,
For each of their eyes had been closed.
But there on the desk beside her,
Was a fragrant long-stemmed rose.


And a child was blessed, if only for a moment,
By the love of her shining star.
And given the gift of believing,
That heaven is never too far.

Take the time...to live and love.
Until eternity. God bless!

How is this as a welcome home for soldiers returning from Iraq??

http://www.mentalfloss.com/blogs/archives/40324

If you scroll down far enough you will see returning soldiers surprising their kids at school ... excuse me while I get more tissues ....... it's that beautiful.

Balled my eyes out the first time I read this poem...

I printed off a copy and took it down to the Legion in town. That is something to share. The Legion posts a list of those killed in Afghanistan, and yeah, they are Dad's. Wonderful piece.

geo

I haven't missed a Remembrance day service in 38 years and hope to attend another 38.