I would like to make a point of giving the Edmonton Oiler Season Ticket Holders some well deserved praise for giving up their seats to the Hawks game last night. Through the efforts of those Season Ticket Holders and the Edmonton Oilers Organization about 6,000 Service Men and Women were able to attend an NHL game. I want to take this opportunity to also comment on an observation that I have noticed the last couple of years. I am sure that it has not just been in the last 2 years that the Canadian people have shown their respect for those who have given their time and sometimes their lives to become Members of the Armed Forces.

My observation in the last 2 years by viewing various Center Ice telecasts is that many in Canada wear Poppy’s as a sign of remembering their Veterans. In Canadian the Veteran’s Day Tribute seems to last a week or so, far longer then in the U.S., and the tribute is called Remembrance Day. Although it is not called Veteran Day’s as in this Country the purpose is the same, to remember those who have made a sacrifice to help defend the rights for all who live in their respected Nations.

The similarity in my opinion stops there, as in the U.S. Veterans Day is treated like an after thought. It is another “Quasi” Holiday which for the most part is given a fraction of the attention it deserves. Not even the ultimate bastion of freedom and capitalism the U.S. Stock Market is closed in honor of Veterans Day. I might be more sensitive to the fact that the sacrifices of many are quickly forgotten. My father served in the Marines and was one of the fortunate soldiers to survive the Battle of Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands. Over 30,000 soldiers died in that Battle of which approximately 7,000 were American forces. My dad lived a full life and was lucky to do so, but it was not without a huge sacrifice. As a result of injuries in battle my father spent 17 months on a Hospital Ship during that time he was in a body cast for over a year. He was fortunate as so many died and suffered debilitating injuries.

I include myself as part of the problem here in the U.S.; we just don’t honor those who have served in the Military enough, we forget too easily. For a Nation which is quick to wear it’s Flag on it’s sleeve we should all be ashamed of how little respect we show for those have sacrificed for our freedom. The people of Canada are steps ahead of the U.S. on this important issue.

Join the Discussion: » Comments » Post New Comment

» Time To Say Thanks But Not Goodbye

» Simply Effective

» Hawks Update And My New Home

» Hawks Keep Rolling

» Playoffs Coming And So Is A Contest