Remembrance Day

Lest we forget.


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.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae

Headlines

Blair Announces Troop Withdrawal In Iraq

“The announcement…comes as the U.S. is implementing an increase of 21,000 more troops for Iraq — putting Washington on an opposite track as its main coalition allies.

South Korea plans to halve its 2,300-member contingent in the northern city of Irbil by April, and is under pressure from parliament to devise a plan for a complete withdrawal by year's end. Polish President Lech Kaczynski has said his country's troops would stay no longer than December.”

Denmark Pulling Out, Lithuania Considers Leaving

“Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Wednesday that his country will withdraw its 460-member contingent from southern Iraq by August and transfer security responsibilities to Iraqi forces.

And in Lithuania, a government spokeswoman said the government there is strongly considering a withdrawal.”

Italian Leader Quits Over Afghan Mission

“A parliamentary vote on sending troops to Afghanistan and expanding a U.S. military base led to the collapse of Italy's government yesterday, a sign of the political schisms the U.S.-led war against Islamist terrorism is creating in Europe.”



Whether a partner of the United States in Iraq or a NATO partner in Afghanistan, there seems to be a trend here. Cut your losses. Listen to your constituents. These “wars” are not winnable.

And then there’s Canada:


Documents Show Troops Will Be in Afghanistan in 2011, NDP MP says

"The NDP accused the government yesterday of harbouring a hidden agenda in Afghanistan, pointing to internal documents showing planned rotations for the Canadian Forces in Kandahar into 2011.

Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor said the Canadian Forces are not committed to those internal plans.

"The government has said that we are committed to the end of February, 2009. No further decision has been made. The government, when it finds it appropriate, will make the decision on what happens if and when the events occur after 2009," he said."


Wake up, Canada…

Of Mice and Men and Women

The one and only casualty in the weekend battle of the Stewarts vs. the mice.

(Photo credit — Mr. Stewart.)

Guess who’s winning the war?

There’s a mouse nest (a.k.a. a bunker) in the cottage. Somewhere.

We will be back...

(If this picture upsets you, I apologise. And if you feel sorry for this mouse, you’ve never had to clean up after them.)

Remembrance Day

The Royal Canadian Legion


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.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae