ninjasabby's blog: "general"

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                      A TIME TO REMEMBER

Today we all paused for a moment of silence to remember those that have passed on before us in preserving our freedom that we enjoy today. Novenber 11, 1918 the day the Armitice was signed to end World War 1. What does Remembrance Day mean to me, it means a time to say thanks to the veterans that have died in fighting for the freedom of other people.  Have you ever had to stand at a cenotaph at attention for hours on end with no breaks while the cenotaph is being watched over. I have and let me tell you it was an experience that I will always remember, standing there in the cold. But it gave me time to reflect on the price paid for our freedom. And how much their sacrifices means to all of us. And how thankful I am for what they have done. Canadian, British, American, and Russian soldiers all fought in World Wars 1 and 2 to stop the occupation by German and Janpanese troops. It was during World War 1 that Canada fully became a nation when the men and women that were sent over to Europe pushed back the Germans when no other nation could. It was the courage in the trenches, in places like Vimy Ridge, Passchendale, Somme, Verdun, Normandy, Italy and many other places. When no one else could do it, they called in the Canadians who could. During World War 2, we fought in many great battles like the battle of the Atlantic, Hong Kong, Normandy, Sicily, Dieppe, and in freeing the Netherlands. 1.1 million Canadians served during the war, 45000 lost their lives and 54000 were wounded. in the end they made our nation proud as a whole. Canadians also fought in Korea, Gulf War, and now Afghanistan. Were they forced to go, no they went because they wanted to, because they felt the need to make a difference, they were truly Volunteers. Yes we have lost many troops, but we should never forget the sacrifice that was made. If it weren’t for Colonel John McCrae we would never be reading the poem In Flanders Fields that was penned while in Europe serving as a doctor with the Canadian forces during the First World War. As Kinsmen some of us don’t realize how much of an impact we had here at home during World War 2, or the fact that our founding father Corporal Hal Rogers served in World War 1 as a member of the 54^th Kootenay Battalion. He joined as the age of  17.He was wounded during the Battle of Amiens in 1918, where he came home having survived being gassed at Passhendale as well. Hal Rogers then formed the Kinsmen in 1920 after not being allowed into the Rotary Club. He formed the Kinsmen cause he missed the companionship of other people, where they can have fun, grow and help the community as well.. Well during World War 2 the Kinsmen and Kinettes across Canada Raised about 3 million dollars and sent 50 million quarts of milk to Britain, with the success of that Founder Hal was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. Kinsmen from all walks of life also fought in WW2, they should be remembered as well, for the sacrifices they made, and today we now have Kinsmen and Kinettes that are serving in the Canadian forces here at home and abroad, you have not been forgotten. Over 100 soldiers have been killed in combat while serving in Afghanistan among those are 2 Kin kids. We WILL ALWAYS REMEBER. So as you can see we have a proud tradition of serving in times of need, and the fact that Kinsmen and Kinettes all worked together to help other people in times of need. SERVING THE COMMUNITYS GREATEST NEEDS, these words ring so true, and how they did serve the needs of people that needed it the most. To everyone let us  not forget where the history of Kin began, with a man that had a dream and a passion in helping others. To Founder Hal you will never be forgotten and you will always be in the hearts of every Kinsmen and Kinettes past and present.  To the Canadian Forces we thank you and pray for you from the bottom of our hears. We as Kin salute u with pride and thanks. Fellow Kin and Kinettes as i write this it gave me time to think back to the history of a Nation and the history of Kin, and how much it affects us each and every different way.