Remembrance Day

Today was Remembrance Day (Veterans Day in the USA). Its the day we remember the sacrifices made in times of war. I remember as a young Cub Scout putting on my uniform and marching down the streets of Picture Butte with the veterans to the cenotaph to place the wreaths and to observe a moment of silence at 11 am. I remember being taught that World War I ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918. That's why we did it on that day and at that time. I remember being taught the poem "In Flanders Fields.


In Flanders Fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.


For some reason this year I felt especially grateful for all of those that served our country in the armed services. On Tuesday they had an program at Jenelle's school. Jenelle was in a group that sang a song. While they sang the song they showed the pictures of those Canadian soldiers who have died in Afghanistan. Seeing those pictures made it so much more real. What made it more real was that on that same day in Calgary was the funeral services for Sapper Steven Marshall who was killed while on patrol in Afghanistan. When I was young it was people from the past that we remembered on this day - now its people much younger than me who are serving now.

I had a strong desire to go the Military Museums today. On Sunday said a few words about my Grandpa Shimbashi at the end of Sacrament meeting. He fought for Canada in WWI. They have his picture up at the museum and I just wanted to go and see if it was still there.

So this afternoon Alana, Jamie and Jenelle went with me to check it out.

The Military Museums

I'll bet a lot of you didn't know that there was a battalion of Japanese Canadians in WW I.

My grandpa Shimbashi was one of those who enlisted and fought for his new country. He ended up in France and was involved in the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917. Many historians and writers consider the Canadian victory at Vimy a defining moment for Canada, when the country emerged from under the shadow of Britain and felt capable of greatness. Canadian troops also earned a reputation as formidable, effective troops because of the stunning success. But it was a victory at a terrible cost, with 3598 killed and over 7000 wounded.

This is the picture of Grandpa Shimbashi at the museum.

I'm grateful for his legacy.

The girls by the picture of their great grandfather.

Why are the pictures and words so small?

I think the girls enjoyed the museum

They had to pose with the manikins

On the bridge with a lifesize Jeff Salmon doll.