Happy Veterans Day to all those currently serving in our armed forces, as well as the Veterans of all generations. As a veteran myself, I would like to personally thank you and your family for all your sacrifices for this country and encourage all my readers to take the time to thank a veteran today. Even if they served in peacetime, or in a position where they were never sent to war, remember that they were among those WILLING to lay their lives on the line if it was asked of them.
As this holiday season gears up, please also remember both in your prayers and in your actions those still serving overseas, not only in Iraq, but in places like Korea, Macedonia, Bosnia, Afghanistan, and many other places I am probably unaware of.
The video I’ve posted above is actually from a Canadian singer songwriter. Terry Kelly wrote this song after an actual incident that occured to him on Veterans day (Canada and America both celebrate on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month). Every time I hear the song, it makes me cry. I could paraphrase the story, but it is written so well on his own website that I will post a quote here, with the link back to the site:
On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a Shoppers Drug Mart store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the store’s PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us.
Terry was impressed with the store’s leadership role in adopting the Legion’s “two minutes of silence” initiative. He felt that the store’s contribution of educating the public to the importance of remembering was commendable.
When eleven o’clock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the “two minutes of silence” to commence. All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect.
Terry’s anger towards the father for trying to engage the store’s clerk in conversation and for setting a bad example for his child was channeled into a beautiful piece of work called, “A Pittance of Time”. Terry later recorded “A Pittance of Time” and included it on his full-length music CD, “The Power of the Dream”.
****Note-to my longtime readers you will probably recognize that I posted a link to this video on Memorial Day & Veteran’s day in previous years. If you keep reading you will probably see it every year! ****
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
The video isn’t working. Says the link is no longer available.
Sorry about that. I fixed it.
Hi Jenn,
Thank you for your service ! And Thanks to all veterans !
Blessins’,Lib
Thanks to you and Yankee Bill for your service!
Kudos to all the veterans and all active duty today!!! Very thoughtful and thanks!!
I want to thank you for posting this video. It was beautiful and I might have missed it otherwise. Suzie (Eric’s other half)
Thanks, Jenn, to you and your DH, for your service to our country.
(Canada and America both celebrate on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month)
In the UK 11/11 is Rememberance Day (although usually the bulk of the ‘celebration’ – parades and services – are held on the closest sunday.). Over here two minutes silence at 11am is observed almost everywhere, although some choose not to participate. This year I actually participated twice – on rememberance sunday and rememberance day itself – once in the supermarket, and once while I was in an IT training session. I’m surprised that the 2 minutes silence doesn’t sound so widely used over there.
Honestly I’ve never, ever heard of 2 minutes of silence on Veteran’s/Armistice/Remembrance Day. Ever. And I was a military wife for a number of years.