Please Remember - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

**Ann** · 11-11-2008, 04:52 AM

He was a brave young man, the second youngest of 13 children raised in a family that didn't have much in worldly goods but filled with love.

When the war in Europe broke out, he signed up to fight for what he knew was right...freedom for all, freedom from tyrants, freedom from persecution because of race, religion, colour or beliefs.

He fought in Italy and sweated in the trenches of North Africa. He fought the last days in Holland and the joy of liberation was short lived when he saw his first mass grave uncovered...a grave filled with children. He never forgot this.

Each year he went to Cenotaph to remember those who fought with him, those who never came home and to remember that grave with prayers that this would never happen again.

He was humble in his presence, wearing his medals only when encouraged to do so by family and others who had shared his journey. He never spoke of what he saw until about 20 years after the war had ended, but he never forgot and he never stopped praying.

Today he rests in a home for the aged, no longer able to march with those who served. Today he has lost much of his short term memory, yet still remembers...those he fought with, those who were lost and that grave filled with children.

Today I will take pause at 11 am, and I will say a prayer of gratitude, for all those who have served and given their lives to ensure that our world remains a place where I can walk in peace.

Today I will say a special thank you for the best father-in-law anyone could ever have the privilege of knowing. Today I will remember his stories, especially the story of the grave, and my heart will weep for the loss many years ago of those who fought to make my world a place where I will never see or know the atrocities that this sweet man endured.

Thank you dad, thank you for sharing your stories and may I never forget or take for granted one moment of my life.

I remember. Please take a moment and honour these men and women with me. The soldiers of wars gone by and those who continue to fight bravely for your freedom and mine.

God bless every one of them.

Hugs

grateful2b · 11-11-2008, 11:00 AM

My heart is full...

I went to the Cenotaph this morning in Ottawa..the crowds were huge, and there was nowhere I could go to get remotely close, to see the ceremony, but oh , it was wonderful! At the end I was able to catch a glimpse of the veterans marching away, and although my dad has passed , I could swear I saw him marching with his comrades...
after the ceremony, I went to the epitaph, to see the unknown soldiers tomb...it took twenty minutes to edge through the crowds from the beginning of the red carpet to the tomb!
the people were amazing. and given the huge numbers around me, the energy was lovely...I was so touched by the hearts all around me...
I am so glad I went...
I took some pictures of course and if I can figure how to post some I will come back and share them..hugs, Grateful

11-11-2008, 04:52 AM	#1 (permalink)
Ann Forum Leader Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: By The Lake Posts: 25,179	Please Remember He was a brave young man, the second youngest of 13 children raised in a family that didn't have much in worldly goods but filled with love. When the war in Europe broke out, he signed up to fight for what he knew was right...freedom for all, freedom from tyrants, freedom from persecution because of race, religion, colour or beliefs. He fought in Italy and sweated in the trenches of North Africa. He fought the last days in Holland and the joy of liberation was short lived when he saw his first mass grave uncovered...a grave filled with children. He never forgot this. Each year he went to Cenotaph to remember those who fought with him, those who never came home and to remember that grave with prayers that this would never happen again. He was humble in his presence, wearing his medals only when encouraged to do so by family and others who had shared his journey. He never spoke of what he saw until about 20 years after the war had ended, but he never forgot and he never stopped praying. Today he rests in a home for the aged, no longer able to march with those who served. Today he has lost much of his short term memory, yet still remembers...those he fought with, those who were lost and that grave filled with children. Today I will take pause at 11 am, and I will say a prayer of gratitude, for all those who have served and given their lives to ensure that our world remains a place where I can walk in peace. Today I will say a special thank you for the best father-in-law anyone could ever have the privilege of knowing. Today I will remember his stories, especially the story of the grave, and my heart will weep for the loss many years ago of those who fought to make my world a place where I will never see or know the atrocities that this sweet man endured. Thank you dad, thank you for sharing your stories and may I never forget or take for granted one moment of my life. I remember. Please take a moment and honour these men and women with me. The soldiers of wars gone by and those who continue to fight bravely for your freedom and mine. God bless every one of them. Hugs __________________ “Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” ~Winnie the Pooh~ Last edited by Ann; 11-11-2008 at 04:40 PM.

11-11-2008, 11:00 AM	#2 (permalink)
grateful2b Leap of Faith Survivor Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 4,556	My heart is full... I went to the Cenotaph this morning in Ottawa..the crowds were huge, and there was nowhere I could go to get remotely close, to see the ceremony, but oh , it was wonderful! At the end I was able to catch a glimpse of the veterans marching away, and although my dad has passed , I could swear I saw him marching with his comrades... after the ceremony, I went to the epitaph, to see the unknown soldiers tomb...it took twenty minutes to edge through the crowds from the beginning of the red carpet to the tomb! the people were amazing. and given the huge numbers around me, the energy was lovely...I was so touched by the hearts all around me... I am so glad I went... I took some pictures of course and if I can figure how to post some I will come back and share them..hugs, Grateful __________________ You need to give up the life you have in order to have the life that is waiting for you.

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