There is a lot on the radio these days about Remembrance Day and rightly so. As we did our exercise routine this morning, one radio talk show host expounded at great length about how those who served in the Great Wars, sacrificed so much to gain us the freedoms we now enjoy. She further lamented that these freedoms were now being removed or eroded by those currently in authority, who are making us stay indoors, lock down our businesses, limit social gatherings, wear masks, maintain social distance and adhere to a curfew. I feel that she is totally missing the point.
They sacrificed so that we might live in freedom. Now, it is OUR TURN TO SACRIFICE so that others may LIVE, so others do not GET SICK, so that their own and other businesses and schools can SAFELY STAY OPEN, so our nurses and doctors can KEEP PACE with the ever increasing case load, until a vaccine or treatment allow us to return to whatever normal remains. Herd immunity gained by continuing on as if there is no pandemic is a very dangerous process. It is not our right to choose who should live and die or who can have full freedom and who must stay hidden away. The rights of those who choose not to adhere to the current local, rules during the pandemic are only their rights, if they do not infringe on another person’s rights. Suck it up, Buttercup, so we can all get through this. Make that most noble sacrifice. Sorry for the rant.
Now, back to the reason for this day:
I need say no more than “take a moment out of your day at 11:00 AM on the 11th day of the 11th month to remember”.
Remember ©
We must not forget
those who sacrificed so much
to give us freedom.
I am with you on this way of looking at society and I have infinite respect for all those who have done their duty with dignity when they would certainly have preferred to pursue another life. Thanks Allan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much for your thoughts and for reading. Stay well. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree completely. The sacrifice we are being asked to make to avoid spreading covid is nothing compared to what Canadians had to do and suffer during wars, conflicts and peacekeeping assignments. This says nothing of how the military have gone into covid-infested care homes (among many other positive things they have done) to rescue the elderly who were under the “protection” of unqualified, underpaid and overworked aides hired by businesses whose only concern is the bottom line. You’re right; that radio presenter is missing the point (is thoughtless as well, in my opinion). I ranted too. Thanks, Allan.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Our generation and those coming behind us have never had to sacrifice. Being used to participation awards just for showing up, the
LikeLiked by 1 person
I hate where the send button is on my reply….to continue… and the No 0%/no fail policy, many think that their right to use a really bad word…TRUMPS…everyone else’s. We need to start giving a Crap about others and I am not seeing much of that right now. And having this person with a public forum almost inciting disobedience really disturbs me. Thanks for chiming in Lynette. Stay well. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
I would have to do more than a rant on your blog. I would have had to phone the radio station and make my opinion known that her opinion wasn’t appropriate. You can have an opinion as an announcer but you shouldn’t be voicing it. Then I would have switched off that station and never listened to them again. And then I would have had the rant. And then I would have taken to social media to talk about how we need to “take one for the team” and put on a frigging mask. Oops — sorry now I am ranting on your blog but as you see this makes me hot under the colour. This matters every day but to make these statements on Remembrance Day and as you said who came to the aid of the elderly? Was it the radio announcer and her no mask friends. Nope. It was the military who doesn’t get enough credit ever for what they’ve done. Ok – sorry for stealing the soap box! Take care and stay safe.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I knew I could count on you to validate that we were right to have our feelings of revulsion for the way she was processing this. We will likely send the blog link to the radio station and perhaps the local newspaper. I am so tired of people who create controversy instead of getting the experts on to provide the scientific rationale for what is being done. We do not need more dissention and nay-sayers, as the Naysayer in Chief is doing a fine job of creating chaos South of the border. Thanks for chiming in. Allan
LikeLike
When I am not listening to CBC I do have a local station that I like. They regularly repeat the health authority guidelines as well as interview doctors, etc. If this is where people get their news then they need a good source. So yes I would definitely talk to the radio station and even do an editorial for the newspaper.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is a very special day here in Aus with our nation taking a moment of silent remembering. Lyn
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glad to hear it. You folks actually remember twice a year, Nov 11 and Anzac Day, right? Hope all is well with you Lyn. Thanks for reading and commenting. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, we do Allan. Anzac Day is a much bigger event here and is held at Sunrise and involves many of our younger folks which is a fabulous thing. Just to keep them all remembering and understanding. Lyn
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes my Auz friends and family always post pictures of Anzac Day. Having been there once during it I can say that your country does it up right.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I have been to many of the Anzac day marches however I have not yet made it to a sunrise service but I have my own service at sunrise. Very special, Lyn
LikeLiked by 1 person
I miss not wearing a poppy like I used to in England.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A tough year to be a veteran selling poppies. Glad they were able to find alternate donation solutions. Thanks for reading Susie. Allan
LikeLike
Veteran’s Day here… I made sure to thank a couple of veteran friends today.
I can see both sides of this lockdown thing but from a more middle ground (?), I guess. I completely respect the steps being taken to stifle COVID. I have followed these steps, so it’s not about questioning the validity of COVID and the problem that it is. I want to do whatever I can to minimize the spread of COVID. I don’t want to see people hurt/sick.
But… I have complained about the lockdown, too. I won’t deny it. For me, though, it’s more out of a concern about whether we will be able to get back to “normal”. It has been very disconcerting to me as I have gone through the motions of following lockdown rules. Not being able to gather with friends and family, being required to where a mask, not being able to go do business when and where I choose, and generally not being able to just go out now and then bothers me. Again, I understand why, and I am okay with with doing this. But I also will not deny being concerned about when I will be able to stop the sacrifice of these freedoms. Who decides when it’s all clear? Do we have a timeline for this? Maybe it’s me, but I have had a difficult time trying to figure out if/when the end to this will be in sight. With the crazy politics involved, it is tough to get straight answers.
Good thought provoking post, Allan.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree that benchmarks should be in place to implement and dismantle restrictions. A certain rate of infection/#s of patients in Hospital/ICU/vaccine penetration, etc. Many countries have done this, but it seems politicians in both US (Federal & State) and Canada (Federal and Provincial) have taken the safe path by strongly suggesting actions to be taken rather than risk political fallout from their base. Many people follow the recommendations, but others still openly flout suggested measures and would likely flout actual laws and bylaws. I do not know what the answer is. We are both over 60 and are taking precautions accordingly, we have not had anyone in our home since February, have not hugged one son since February and the other since March, have only eaten out in restaurants twice since March 13, and have only travelled twice to safe destinations in our province. And yet, we watch others have parties, have family gatherings, go to work and school when sick, etc. And then, there are the huge political gatherings which become super spreader events. We either have to all get on the same page, or simply let the pandemic run its course with a huge loss of life. Our insensitive Premier once pointed out that the average age of death of Covid patients was 83, but that life expectancy in our Province was 82, so…. Wow, when did anyone become expendable? As I used to say in my career, I am not here to tell you that you can’t do that…I am here to tell you how you can do it. As to the political situation in your fine country, the goings on are truly scary from afar. Another 70 days (if lucky), before steps can be taken to curtail Covid, is not a good thing and other potential side effects are scarier still. Social media is both a blessing and a curse, for sure. Stay well Scott. Be kind, be calm, be safe and be brave. We will get through this, one way or another. Thanks for your perspective. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Here in the States, we call it Veteran’s Day, which is fine. But I like Remembrance Day better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As long as we remember the unselfish deeds of all Veterans, either name works well. I think more people stopped this year, even though they could not gather in person at the cenotaph. Thanks for reading Ann. Allan
LikeLiked by 1 person