Thursday, November 08, 2007

Thursday Thirteen: In Honour of Veterans' Week

Thursday Thirteen
This Week I am presenting two special Thursday Thirteen lists in Honour of Veterans' Week (November 5-11) and Remembrance Day (November 11th)

13 Conflicts Past and Present in which Canadians Have Served
  1. The First World War - During the First World War, 60,383 Canadians lost their lives, 155,799 were wounded, and there were 1,630 civilians killed (in the Halifax Harbour explosion). Many historians believe that Canada became a nation, separate from Great Britain, with the Battle of Vimy Ridge in the First World War

  2. The Second World War - Canada’s participation in the Second World War was a massive effort involving millions of Canadians from coast to coast. Nearly 47,000 Canadians died and nearly 55,000 were seriously wounded between 1939 and 1945.

  3. The Korean War - 26,791 Canadians served in the Korean war, 516 died, and 1,558 were wounded. Another 7,000 served in the theatre between the cease-fire and the end of 1955.

  4. First and Second United Nations Emergency Force (UNEF I and UNEF II) - Canadian Forces members took part in the United Nations (UN) peace missions in the Gaza strip and the Sinai peninsula of Egypt between 1956 and 1967, and again from 1973 to 1979.

  5. United Nations Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus - The Canadian mission to Cyprus lasted 29 years, making it one of the longest overseas commitments in which Canada has ever participated. In total, more than 25,000 Canadian Forces members served in Cyprus over the decades.

  6. Operation DANACA UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) Golan Heights - Between 1974 and 2006 over 12,000 soldiers, sailors and air personnel served in the Golan Heights.

  7. Persian Gulf War (Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm) and United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observation Mission - More than 4,000 Canadian Forces personnel served in the tense Persian Gulf region in 1990-91, as part of the international coalition of countries that came together to force the invading forces of Iraq out of neighbouring Kuwait. In the aftermath of the conflict, Canadians continued to serve in peacekeeping and embargo-enforcement efforts in the region. My human dad served a tour of duty in Kuwait during the first Gulf War.

  8. United Nations Support Mission in Haiti (UNSMIH) - My human dad is one of the many Canadians who served a six-month peacekeeping tour in Haiti. He was one of the Canadian Forces engineers who "brought their expertise in road maintenance, mine disposal, water supply and power generation to the peace support efforts."

  9. Operation HARMONY - United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR)
    Balkan Region - More than 2,000 Canadian Forces personnel served in the Balkan region with UNPROFOR and one of its successor missions, the United Nations Peace Forces Headquarters (UNPF).

  10. Operation PALLADIUM - NATO Stabilization Force (SFOR) The Balkans - Again, my human dad was one of the many Canadians who served a six-month tour of duty in the Balkans. More than 40,000 Canadians served in Bosnia-Herzegovina and twenty-five Canadians lost their lives while serving there.

  11. Operation TOUCAN International Force in East Timor (INTERFET) and United Nations Transitional Administration in East Timor (UNTAET) - 600 Canadian Forces personnel served in East Timor.

  12. Operation ECLIPSE - United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) - This is another peacekeeping tour that my human dad did. This one was particularly rough on my human mom, because he was gone over Christmas. My human dad was one of the first officers and soldiers to go over, because he was among the engineers setting up the camp. When they arrived, there was nothing but an empty field, and they had to build everything from scratch. They were living in pup-tents and burning their waste while they set up the camp. On Christmas Day, it is traditional for Canadian officers to do many the soldiers' duties, to give the soldiers the day off. So my dad spent that Christmas burning human waste (this was before they had the sewer system for the camp set up) and ate a "boil a bag" meal. This was also during their first month of the tour, so they didn't have any phone or computer access yet. They only had the satellite phone for emergencies. So my mom couldn't even talk to him at Christmas. Once the camp was set up, around mid-January, she started hearing from him almost every day via email, and once a week by phone. But that Christmas was hard for her.

  13. OP ATHENA - Afghanistan - The Canadian contribution to the NATO led International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) - There are currently 2,286 troops serving in Operation Athena and close to 10,000 Canadians have served in Afghanistan since 2002. 71 Canadians (70 military and one diplomat) have lost their lives in Afghanistan, including Captain Nichola Goddard, the first woman in Canadian history killed in a combat role and the first female member of the Canadian military killed in combat since the Second World War.
13 Ways to Take Part in Veterans' Week (courtesy of Veteran's Affairs Canada)
  1. Pause for the "2-Minute Wave of Silence" at 11:00 a.m. on November 11 for the men and women who served our country during wartime.
  2. Attend commemorative ceremonies at the local cenotaph.
  3. Watch the national Remembrance Day services on television and remember that the National War Memorial in Ottawa is dedicated to those who served in time of war.
  4. Wear a poppy in tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives for freedom.
  5. Plan a candlelight tribute to commemorate a special anniversary with one of the regiments, air force groups or naval associations in your area. Visit Veterans Affairs Canada's Web site for links to Veterans' groups and organizations.
  6. Spread the word about Veterans' Week.
  7. Organize a lunchtime discussion on how the wars still have an impact on our lives today.
  8. Encourage your local public library or archives, both important resources for community history, to create a display of wartime memorabilia (for example, photographs, uniforms, badges, military medals and decorations, diaries) in your office complex.
  9. Hold a series of readings during the Week on books by or about Veterans and the wars.
  10. Organize a walking tour of historic sites related to Veterans' achievements in your community, for example businesses, hospitals, museums, grave sites, etc.
  11. Contact your local Royal Canadian Legion Branch, local historical or genealogical society, the history department at a nearby university or community college, or local Veterans' groups for information and speakers. Bookmark Veterans Affairs Canada's Web site for links to Veterans' organizations.
  12. Visit a Veterans' residence, senior citizens' residence or nursing home to talk to older men and women about their lives and experiences during times of war.
  13. Ask your local school board, a trustee or teachers to use the school resources provided free each year by Veterans Affairs Canada in the classroom.

    and for those currently serving:

    Get in touch with a member of the Canadian Forces either in Canada or overseas. All the addresses for Canadian Forces bases and overseas operations are listed on the National Defence Web site at Write to the Troops.

40 comments

Zenmomma said...

Interesting 13.

Daisy said...

What a great post in honor of Veterans' Week, and some wonderful ways to remember Veterans. You must be so proud of your dad!

Parker said...

I would be very proud of your Daddy too! I learned a great deal this morning! Thank-you!

Anonymous said...

Wow, that were a lot of informations!

Ramses said...

Gosh you know lots about wars and stuff! You're one smart cat! :)

Purrs,
Isis

Puss-in-Boots said...

Now that is a great Thursday 13...November 11 is important for us too and for a lot of those same reasons as you have put up. Great post.

Mickey's Musings said...

That was a very good T13. I like all the information and I am proud to be a Canadian cat!!
Give your Dad a big hug from me,OK?

The Misadventures Of Me said...

We just learneds new stuff, thank yous!

michico*Adan*Lego-小芥*阿丹*樂高 said...

Thanks for let me learning so much of Veterans' Week, Dragonheart. This is great meaning~!!!!!

MaR said...

Thanks for a great history lesson and information!
Happy TT :)

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful wonderful post!! Thanks so much for the ideas.

Darla said...

You get a whole week? Nice. We get just the 11th for Veterans Day, but we get a long weekend, at least. :)

Samantha_K said...

I'm glad to see a post in honor of our veterans(well, Canadian ones, I'm American, but you know what I'm saying...)

Happy Thursday!

Memories of Eric and Flynn said...

That was a very interesting and informative TT. Your dad has done many tours of duty. You and your mum must be very proud of him, and rightly so.

Donny and Marie and Casey said...

This is a wonderful post, DH...your daddy is pawesome!

~Donny, Marie, Casey

Anonymous said...

Those are great ways to honor Veterans. You should be very proud of your military! I am.

Tybalt said...

That is a wonderful and informative Thursday Thirteen! Dragonheart, I know you must be very, very proud of your daddy! You'll have to let your little brother know all about how great he is when he arrives!

Anonymous said...

Nice Thursday post! I love Thursdays because Earl, the Office, Greys Anatomy, and ER are all on! That means no laundry after 7:30! I have posted my thursday blog come on over and visit!

DEB

Denise Patrick said...

Great ideas. I hope many will take you up on them. I didn't realize that Canada celebrated Veteran's Day on November 11, too.

Happy TT!

Forty Paws said...

What a great post DH! You are very proud of your Daddy and so are we!

Luf, Us

Joyismygoal said...

Canadians have always been good support

LZ said...

That is a great idea for a T13. The Lap Lady's birthday is the day after Veteran's Day so she always remembers to thank the soldiers.

Kaze

Queen Snickers, Empress and Princess Renna said...

Great information, thanks for such an informative post! YEA for your daddy!

Anonymous said...

What a well thought out post. Its so important to remember and honor our veterans! Thanks for sharing this.

Unknown said...

Dragonheart, you are such an informative kitty cat. My Mum has some cousins in the Canadian armed forces and is so proud of the men and woman that proudly serve our country. My Mum and I will definately be remembering and thanking on November 11th.

Unknown said...

My Mum and I were wondering how come we can't see the right hand side of your posts? Any idea?

Christine and FAZ said...

Lest we forget DH. It's Remembrance Day on the 11th here on the UK and ANZAC day as well in Australia and New Zealand. It's important to remember those who support our feedom with their lives. FAZ

Siani said...

A very interesting pair of lists there, Dragonheart - you're a very thoughtful cat. Have a happy, purry TT!

Zippy, Sadie, Speedy and M'Gee said...

Mom and Dad will be at the VA wif her brofur fur a party fur da veterans and will also attend da parade. Mom's brofur served in da marines as did most of da men in her fambly. We thank all da veterans and current service men and women fur protecting our freedom!

PB 'n J said...

That is a really good 13 - we learned lots!

Dr Tweety of da Fab Five said...

Tank you Dragonheart. You iz a furry up-to-date cat. I tink day call dat a "hep" cat!

-Dr Tweety

Artsy Catsy said...

What a thoughtful, interesting and informative post, Dragonheart! Thank you!

Rocky
& everybody at Artsy Catsy

Rosemary B❤️ said...

We are American kitties, and we are very thankful and proud of our Canada beans and kitties.

You know we are very proud of your dad and so very happy to have you as a good neighbor for peace!

Anonymous said...

Excellent list. And you're right. The correct time to observe 2 minutes silence is at 11.00am on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. It shouldn't be shifted for convenience.

Unknown said...

This is a very informative post today, Dragonheart.

Team Tabby said...

It is good to take time to remember our veterans, Dragonheart. You gave us a very interesting and informative Thursday 13. We know you are proud of your dad and you should be.

Moe & Mindy
in Halifax

Bogdan, the editor said...

Wow. You are smart, Dragonheart. You know so much!

Tara said...

Very informative post Dragonheart. A nice way to pay tribute.

Tara

Karen Jo said...

This is a great tribute post for all Canadian veterans, Dragonheart. My town will be having a Veteran's Day ceremony at 11:00 am on November 11th, too.

MaoMao said...

that's a wunnerful postie fur Veteran's Week. Our Daddy is a veteran, too, and we are so furry proud of him! And I know how much you must love and feel pride in yur wunnerful Daddy.

Kittyhugs and purrs from MaoMao!