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davef
11-11-2008, 08:53 PM
I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to the warriors of our nations
who have selflessly served their countries when called upon.
There are many brave souls who have fought and died, who have fought and
lived, who have fought and been wounded in the service to country.

A great debt is owed to these warriors who have guarded our rights and
freedoms with their bodies and blood.

I would like to take this moment to give my personal thanks to my grandfather
who served with the Canadian forces in WWI, who survived the battle of Vimy
Ridge, a battle that claimed the lives of almost 200,000 brave French, English,
and Canadian soldiers.

My grandfather survived the perils of mustard gas, bullets and bombs in
battles fought in far off, foreign places, and he did it to preserve our rights
and freedoms and way of life.

As if one war wasn't enough, when 2 of my uncles enlisted in the Canadian
Armed Forces during the second world war, my grandfather re-enlisted at the
age of 43, on the condition that he serve with his two sons. The family
story has it that my grandmother hounded him so much about the safety of
her two sons, that he did it just to get her off his case :)
I don't know how true that is, but my grandfather and two of my uncles
survived the D-Day invasions and came home safely from battle ravaged
Europe. Sadly, my grandfather passed away shortly after returning, but I
remember the sacrifice of he and my uncles, always.

davef
11-11-2008, 11:20 PM
Your grandfather's past accomplishments makes him an extraordinary guy. I wish he were here today. I'd like to talk to him and get his point of view.

Me too.
My grandpa passed away before I was born, so all I have to go by is what my
dad and my uncles told me about him. He was by no means a saint, but he
had what it took to survive 2 wars. And although I never knew him, I'm very
proud of what he did.

Out of 11 children in the family, there is only my aunt left now, but I know
that all of the my uncles and my aunt were/are very strong in character.
They called it as it was, didn't shrink away from what they did or said, and
weren't afraid of very much.
Very much unlike the political correctness that is now prevalent in our society
today.

Growing up on a farm in the great depression, all knew how to hunt and fish,
and all were very much at home in the bush.
My dad died when I was young, and I never got much of a chance to do
a lot of outdoor stuff with him, and I really feel as if I missed out in a very
important part of my life.
Maybe that's why I like this forum so much. People on here are like my
grandpa, uncles and dad. Very straight forward, call it like it is and aren't
afraid to say what they think regardless of who's sensibilities get offended.

Doubt that very many on here would make good politicians!

Sorry if it sounds sappy, but this day above all others evokes strong
emotion in me

pgvoutdoors
11-12-2008, 06:39 PM
God bless all our Veterans and their families!
Semper Fi

snakeman
11-12-2008, 08:46 PM
Dave, We all owe the freedom of this country to your grandfather and all of our vets. The sad thing is today, people just take advantage of this great country. Its not what your country can do for you, its what you can do for your country.
God Bless America and all of our vets and those in the middle east right now.