I am, as some of you may know, ex-military. I do not love war, nor do I wish it on anyone. That being said war is here for keeps, be it on a global scale, or in small conflicts. Yesterday I participated in the Ypres memorial. For those of you who dont know the 2nd battle of Ypres introduced the world to gas attacks, Mustard and/or chlorine gas killed 10s of thousands of WWI soldiers. The Royal Canadian Legion (for the Yanks, it's our version of the VFW) and the Black Watch a**'n, of which I'm a member, hold a small parade and lay wreaths at the Cenotaph (tomb of a soldier known only to God) in the Montreal bourough of Verdun. We were led by the Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch, and were about 60-70 Vets who marched as best as they could. At 54, I was one of the youngest there, so you get the idea.
I really appreciate the people who lined the 3 mile route and applauded us. It makes you feel good inside. BUT (ain't there always a but?) if I could, I would have fallen out of rank to beat a few young people, I don't mean kids, but people between 25-35, who heckled and laughed at us for being soldiers. The worst was some welfare bum, 25ish, standing on his balcony in his pyjamas at 2:30 in the afternoon, yet, who yelled at us and bitched rather loudly when the pipes stopped playing, saying "Where's the music?" I bet he doesn't even realize that 2 blocks from his place is a memorial erected to those who died to guarantee his freedom.
Do something nice today. Thank a Vet
