Lest we forget...

PaigeMcC

 November 11 is Remembrance Day, or Veterans Day for my friends down South.  This day is pretty special in my house because my Grandpa served in WWII, as did other members of our extended family, and FBD's Grandparents (and some of his aunts/uncles) actually lived in occupied Holland during WWII.  So I've got my poppy on my coat and I'll be taking some time on Nov 11 to think about my Grandpa, and maybe place a poppy at the cemetery.  

Do you stop and think about our veterans on November 11?  Will you be doing anything to commemorate the day?

Narwhal

I usually spend time with my dad. He never gets any recognition even though he was a Cold War veteran because most people don't consider it to be a real war (you really don't even have to be in a war to be considered a veteran, just had to be honorably discharged, but most people don't see it that way. He served near the Berlin Wall during the 80s. 

Hazel_B

I definitely think about it.

Ideally I'd like to go to the ceremony in Ottawa but the crowds are crazy and you can actually see everything better on tv. Plus, the weather is never good. What is that word in english analysis where the weather reflects the emotions? I've never been to a pleasant weather service for Rememberance Day. However, I do think that every Canadian should go to one in Ottawa.

oceana919

I usually wear a flag pin in honor of my grandfather (WWII vet).

Not to bust up the incredibly mature and genuine sentiment, but my brain turned "and maybe place a poppy at the cemetery" into "and maybe place a poopy at the cemetery". I seriously said "WTF?!?" out loud before I realized that I have a gutterbrain and I'm a horrible person.

PaigeMcC

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_lest-forget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:1d52cc28-1886-4583-8e4f-603a18011ecfPost:b0bf4db5-f1a8-4e27-a0d0-a4b68f4c0d5e">Re: Lest we forget...</a>:
[QUOTE]I usually wear a flag pin in honor of my grandfather (WWII vet). N<strong>ot to bust up the incredibly mature and genuine sentiment, but my brain turned "and maybe place a poppy at the cemetery" into "and maybe place a poopy at the cemetery". I seriously said "WTF?!?" out loud before I realized that I have a gutterbrain and I'm a horrible person.</strong>
Posted by oceana919[/QUOTE]
*giggle* Fail!!

CASK85

Ah, thanks for the reminder Paige. My grandfather was in Germany and other parts of Europe after WWII (he was too young to serve during the war). He's been in a nursing home for a few months now. . . I think I'll call him on Thursday. I haven't seen any poppy sellers yet, but I always buy one. 

bakes218

I will be thinking of my future brother-in-law who just recently deployed to Kuwait. He will be missing the wedding and we all really miss him already.

Schools are also closed here so I guess I get a day off!

Beads921

I need to get myself a poppy, but yes, I do take time to stop and think about it all on Rememberance Day. My Papa is a WWII vet, and my Dad grew up on Canadian army bases around Europe in the 60s and 70s, so it's pretty near to my heart. I didn't ever really think about it or realize what it all meant as a child, and I loathed Rememberance Day because it seemed so ridiculous and boring (sitting through those darn assemblies), but as an adult I can truly grasp and see the meaning.

Also, this Rememberance Day would have been a late friend's 22 birthday. She passed away suddenly in December of last year, so it's going to be an extra hard day this year.

mana8503

FI served in Iraq twice and he only just told me he has 2 purple hearts, I only knew of one.  I know he doesn't want a big deal made... we are both off Thursday so I think we'll just be lazy and enjoy each other company.  I'm sure it'll be years down the road and I'll still be finding out about his tours.

PaigeMcC

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_lest-forget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:1d52cc28-1886-4583-8e4f-603a18011ecfPost:b1943abb-66ed-4c38-b8d9-2686aa9dee6f">Re: Lest we forget...</a>:
[QUOTE]I need to get myself a poppy, but yes, I do take time to stop and think about it all on Rememberance Day. My Papa is a WWII vet, and my Dad grew up on Canadian army bases around Europe in the 60s and 70s, so it's pretty near to my heart. I didn't ever really think about it or realize what it all meant as a child, and I loathed Rememberance Day because it seemed so ridiculous and boring (sitting through those darn assemblies), but as an adult I can truly grasp and see the meaning. Also, this Rememberance Day would have been a late friend's 22 birthday. She passed away suddenly in December of last year, so it's going to be an extra hard day this year.
Posted by Beads921[/QUOTE]

<div>Sorry about your friend, hunny.  Take some time to remember her, it's a special reflective day for all sorts of reasons...she deserves a moment as well.</div>

forthepocket

My mother is German so my grandfather fought in WWII but for the other side. I'm not proud of it at all and its very hard knowing he did the things he did. As soon as I was old enough to realize what fighting for Germany during WWII meant I was conflicted. This was my grandad and I loved him. He never seemed like he'd be able to hurt a fly. He never talked about the war and I think its something that haunted him till he died in 2007. Its still hard for me to think about it sometimes. Especially on Veteran's Day during the cermonies for WWII soldiers here in the states I feel such overwhelming guilt.

loopy82

I feel like there is something I should do seeing as that my grandpa was in WWII, my dad is retired career Air Force, my cousin served in Iraq with the National Guard, my brother is active duty AF - with 2 Iraq tours under his belt, another of my cousins is in the National Guard, and my good friend's husband recently returned home from Iraq. With all these military people around me I still never really do anything. Not because I don't want to, but because I don't know what to do.

calindi

If you're unsure what to do, just call and thank every current and prior service member in your family or group of friends for their service and commitment to our country.  That's all most of them want (even if they don't want a lot of attention, they do appreciate gratitude).  It doesn't matter if they served overseas in a war or not - I've always seen Veterans Day as a time to thank people for protecting our country.

We always send something to BF's Dad, who's a Vietnam vet, and we call and chat with him and some of his buddies who all spend the day at the bar telling stories.  This year is the 2nd year that my BF is in the military for Veterans Day, so I'll get him a card, too.  Other than that, nothing for me.  BF is hosting a big to-do on campus with a bunch of other student organizations, but I won't be there for that.

KatyRoseM

I do something for Fi every veterans day, like bake cookies or do something extra nice.  He was medically discharged from the Army a few years ago.  I also remember what my grandpa went through in WW2.  My mom recently made a book of all his letters which is really fascinating.  Its easy for us to forget our veterans, and I love that so many people take time out of their days to remember.

tafft1

My father served in WWII among others - though I do not speak to him..and have not for many years - I can respect what he risked and did for our country and what that symbolizes for me today. It genuinely hurts me that U cannot love him..and I have tried..over and over..but I can still carry respect for him wanting to defend his country and for all the others - past and present who did and continue to do the same.

PaigeMcC

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_lest-forget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:1d52cc28-1886-4583-8e4f-603a18011ecfPost:13462713-0432-4d0e-bc21-5226d88dca67">Re: Lest we forget...</a>:
[QUOTE]My mother is German so my grandfather fought in WWII but for the other side. I'm not proud of it at all and its very hard knowing he did the things he did. As soon as I was old enough to realize what fighting for Germany during WWII meant I was conflicted. This was my grandad and I loved him. He never seemed like he'd be able to hurt a fly. He never talked about the war and I think its something that haunted him till he died in 2007. Its still hard for me to think about it sometimes. Especially on Veteran's Day during the cermonies for WWII soldiers here in the states I feel such overwhelming guilt.
Posted by forthepocket[/QUOTE]

<div>I think is this a really touchy subject and this may be an unpopular opinion but I don't think there is any need for you to feel guilt.  He was fighting for his country and what he believed in, just as our soldiers were.  Even though we were on different sides he still served his country, which is a noble thing to do.  </div><div>
</div><div>I think often soldiers from the "losing" country (ies) are forgotten about.  Yes, some of them committed horrible acts.  Yes, "we" won out over the atrocities.  But just because they were fighting against "us" doesn't mean that we shouldn't take a minute to remember them as well.  They also fought and died for their country and their beliefs.  I think, as long as you obeyed the rules of war and were an honorable soldier, than you deserve a moment of remembrance as well.  The "other side" lost a lot of good young men.  They deserve a moment.</div>

jemmini6

My grandpa also served in WWII, he was in the Navy and fought the Pacific side of the war.  My mom actually has a diamond and pearl brooch that my grandpa bought for my grandma while he was in Japan, even has the original receipt from 1944 written in Japanese.  I will be wearing it as my 'something old' and 'something borrowed' on my wedding day as my mother and both of my sisters did.

My FI is a USAF veteran and served his 4 years in Germany.  He is now almost finished with his 4 years as active reserves.  His brother also just took his test to try and get into the USAF officers program.

We don't really do anything for Veterans Day though...although Applebees is giving all service members a free meal that day, so we might go out for dinner.

forthepocket

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_lest-forget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:136Discussion:1d52cc28-1886-4583-8e4f-603a18011ecfPost:184c4bdb-4e20-427b-b877-57b727d7dc73">Re: Lest we forget...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Lest we forget... : I think is this a really touchy subject and this may be an unpopular opinion but I don't think there is any need for you to feel guilt.  He was fighting for his country and what he believed in, just as our soldiers were.  Even though we were on different sides he still served his country, which is a noble thing to do.   I think often soldiers from the "losing" country (ies) are forgotten about.  Yes, some of them committed horrible acts.  Yes, "we" won out over the atrocities.  But just because they were fighting against "us" doesn't mean that we shouldn't take a minute to remember them as well.  They also fought and died for their country and their beliefs.  I think, as long as you obeyed the rules of war and were an honorable soldier, than you deserve a moment of remembrance as well.  The "other side" lost a lot of good young men.  They deserve a moment.
Posted by PaigeMcC[/QUOTE]

Thank you Paige. I don't tell everyone about this that I know IRL but to those that I have told no one has ever said anything like what you did and I really appreciate it. :)

PaigeMcC

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_not-engaged-yet_lest-forget?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special%20Topic%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:136Discussion:1d52cc28-1886-4583-8e4f-603a18011ecfPost:8b19fb2d-ddb1-4006-afe4-10f17fdcfdf3">Re: Lest we forget...</a>:
[QUOTE]In Response to Re: Lest we forget... : Thank you Paige. I don't tell everyone about this that I know IRL but to those that I have told no one has ever said anything like what you did and I really appreciate it. :)
Posted by forthepocket[/QUOTE]

<div>It came from the heart, darlin'.  And you're very welcome:)</div>

leia1979

Like Jemmini, my grandpa was also with the Navy in the Pacific during WWII, though he didn't go to Japan (Philippines maybe). He was a SeaBee, and they built runways, bases, and such.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seabee

Pocket, do you think your grandpa might have been drafted? I don't think people had a lot of choice. And even if he did choose, he probably thought it was the right thing to do at the time. I don't think it's anything to feel guilt over.

I ask because my uncle was drafted for Vietnam. There's no way he would have gone if he'd had a (legal) choice.

forthepocket

Leia he didn't tell us much but from what I can tell I don't believe he was drafted. He told us his mother was so nervous she put on her sunday church hat to feed their chickens on the day he left =/  I like to think he didn't know or understand a lot of what was really happening. He was just a country boy on a farm and Hitler was sending out a lot of propaganda. We'll never know now because he has passed on. He told me a story once about how after it was all over he just wanted to get home. There were trains of soldiers going to different parts of Germany/Europe and at this point no one cared anymore who was who they just wanted to get back. My grandpa was sitting next to an American soldier. And they were both just so miserable they split some chocolate the American had and didn't try to talk to each other. I always wonder who that soldier was...

KD+BC

My students are writing thank you notes and I'll be dropping them off at the VA hospital. I think it's nice to start them young (first grade).