I wrote this post a few years ago, but I can't think of anything else to say about the horror of war, that would not bring back some more nightmare memories for me and my companion. So here we go again...
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It's Remembrance Day 2019, and a time to remember all those who fought and died for our country.
A time to remember and celebrate my fighting grandfathers.
Who survived the war, but like so many others were marked by it forever.
A time to remember all those soldiers who are still living and suffering with the horror of PTSD.
As well as a time to remember all those who died not in battle, but still serving their country.
Like many of the Canadian flyers buried in this, and other small cemeteries in the north of Scotland.
Who were learning to fly bombers at two big RAF bases near my family home, only to have their planes go down in the cold North Sea or in the misty highlands.
Every summer I spend some time with them, plucking a few small weeds from their well tended graves, or just yapping away to them, to let them know what's happening in the country they left so long ago never to return.
So that they should know that although they don't receive many visitors, we will never forget them.
And will never stop thanking them for sacrificing their young lives so that we could live in freedom.
And every year I also vow to fight to the death if necessary, to prevent the fascists in this country from threatening the freedom that was bought with the blood of so many.
Remember our heroes, the ones who died, and the ones who are still living and suffering today.
And let the words of the Canadian doctor Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae, written in poppies, pay tribute to them all...
Southwestern Ontario was home to many training airports during the Second World War. There is a marker where such a training facility once existed just outside Fingal. On the reverse side is a listing of all the pilots and trainers that perished during training. So many.
ReplyDeleteUU
HI UU....Canada's contribution to the air war was massive with its Commonwealth Air Training Plan. And yes, unfortunately training accidents were common. And all of them who answered the call are heroes in my book...
DeleteVery thoughtful post, Simon. Thank you for tending to the graves and the memory of those who have served, and for fighting the good fight against authoritarian bullies and bigots long after those heroes have gone.
ReplyDeleteHi Jackie....thank you, I'm glad you liked the post. I feel I should have written more about the epidemic of suicides but I'll do that next year. As for tending the graves it's a pleasure. The graves are located in the grounds of a ruined abbey and there are usually no other people there. So it's a great place to think of the sacrifices those flyers made for us, and how it's now up to us to fight the fascists....
DeleteIt may have been written a few years ago but is as relevant today as it was then and will be for many more, Simon. We need to be reminded of the horrors and why so this horrible period in our history can never be repeated again.
ReplyDeleteJD
Hi JD....Thank you, I do change a few things every year, but tending those graves once a year is my private Remembrance Day. Also, as I told Jackie, Kinloss Abbey is a beautiful old place. And when you see an entire bomber crew laid out side by side it's a very moving experience....
DeleteSo young, weren't they. God, I hope we don't have to fight the fascists again.
ReplyDeleteHi Cathie...yes, they were so young. And the inscriptions at the bottom of the gravestones which were requested by their families are absolutely heartbreaking. I also hope that we don't have to go to war again, but we must fight our homegrown fascists who are trying to destroy this country and its values....
DeleteMy Grandfather survieved WW1, was at all the big battles Lest we Forget, that was a warning.
ReplyDeleteHi Steve....your grandfather must have been a very brave and a very lucky man. I saw a documentary recently on how the wounded were treated, and despite the best efforts of nurses and doctors it was absolutely horrifying....
DeleteThanks for the post Simon. Hopefully the vast majority of us will not forget.
ReplyDeleteRT
Hi RT....You're welcome. I don't usually repeat posts, but I don't mind repeating this one and the one I publish every Christmas. I'm sure they could be better written, but they both come from the heart....
DeleteHi Simon; this from the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2019/nov/13/its-good-don-cherry-is-gone-itll-be-better-if-his-successor-represents-todays-canada
DeletePunjabi and Cree (among others)NHL broadcasts are very popular in their respective communities...
Hi lagatta....I agree, the HNIC Coach's Corner was about 20 years out of date. They need to come up with something that can appeal to a new generation or HNIC's ratings will keep falling....
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