To shed some light on a photo, I can’t help but tell a story. The air is crisp, the sun is out and the day is breezy that pushes the clouds away. Light is brighter in the dark as I … Continue reading
Tag Archives: Remembrance Day
After the War: Remember The Living
Gallery
To see these boys together as responsible young men celebrating a baptism is worth remembering to tell a story down the road for Greg’s firstborn son initiation into Christianity. They grew up together, some studied at the same school, prayed … Continue reading
Pause and Remember
Gallery
This gallery contains 1 photo.
Father and Son
15
Here lies ashes of Art Morgan buried at the foot of Sakura Tree at Forest Law Cemetery close to Mother’s gravesite.
wearing the same outfit
black turtle neck, black jacket, black coat. Can I tell the difference?
young and older,
spitting image. It was Remembrance Day. Father was in town for the legion
to commemorate Remembrance Day. Where have you been hiding this young lady?
asked Father to Son. Where have you been hiding your father?
a thought I kept to myself for the Son. He was an army pilot during World War II. Father survived the war,
got married, raised a
family of four. I was happy to meet Father but
death came to soon. He died
in his own
hands. Why? Have you seen a
grown man cry?
Son was inconsolable. In Father’s bedroom
there I sat on his bed and lit
a candle to say a little prayer
and left the candle burning
by the bedside table. WHO LIT A CANDLE! Scream came out of Son’s mouth
hush, it was me, hush
Inconsolable.
wishing I could take away his
pain. Thanksgiving Day
time to scatter the ashes on top
of the mountain
overlooking the lake. One by one
the family took handful of ashes
blown to smithereens
carried by the wind. Mine placed in a small container
for Father’s ashes to bury him
at the cemetery. At the foot of the Sakura tree
is where I buried his ashes
near Mother’s resting place. Father’s bible was given to me
in memory of Son’s Father. There is no answer to Why. Remembrance Day
will always remind
me of Father and Son. Related articles
- Remembrance Day (skylarcook01.wordpress.com)
Silenced
Gallery
Wait for me Daddy
Gallery
This gallery contains 3 photos.
A photo of a boy ran from his mother’s grasp to reach his father’s outstretched hand. The photo became known as Wait for Me Daddy and is one of the iconic Canadian images of WWII. This is Warren “Whitey” Bernard, … Continue reading
After the war, remember them.
Gallery
This gallery contains 1 photo.
Surviving the war must be harder than those who have died in combat. The heroes are mostly those that died during the war. I am saying this because of a chance encounter with someone who was willing enough to share … Continue reading
When will we ever learn?
Click on the photo to watch Kinston Trio
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the flowers gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the flowers gone?
The girls have picked them everyone.
Oh, when will you ever learn?
Oh, when will you ever learn?
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the young girls gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the young girls gone?
They’ve taken husbands everyone.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Where have all the young men gone?
Long time passing.
Where have all the young men gone?
Long time ago.
Where have all the young men gone?
They’re all in uniform.
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Oh, when will they ever learn?
Songwriter: PETER SEEGER
Remembrance day is here again. This song is old as old can be and it still true to this date. When will we ever learn?
Remembering our Common Ground
Gallery
This gallery contains 2 photos.
Remember Jimi Hendrix? He is a legend in Vancouver even though he is an African-American. The main connection to this legend is his grandmother who lived in an African-American community in Strathcona area of Vancouver. She owned Vie’s Chicken and … Continue reading
O.D.
I am all blogged out and over-dosed from too much remembering of Remembrance Day stories I posted yesterday.
If you are really curious like a cat, click here and find out.
The rest is history
“There are causes worth dying for, but none worth killing for.” ~ Albert Camus
Trying to gather some war stories from the family to document is just like pulling teeth. Inextricable
My first older four siblings, their dad was a World War II soldier. Their dad was my Mother’s first husband. It’s just one of those things that we forget to share family stories especially our parents are no longer on earth.
Today, being Remembrance Day, I want to remember their dad. So I sent out e-mails to them asking to tell me a story about their dad with emphasis on being a soldier.
I learned that he was a Major in the military of United States Armed Forces of the Philippines. His full name is Maximo Abendan Papas descendant of Greek origin. He was a prisoner of war and helped wounded co-soldiers in the concentration camp. Their dad survived and escaped from the famous “Death March”.
Death March happened when the Japanese invaded the Philippines. The Japanese have taken Americans and Filipinos as prisoners in 1942 and made them march 128 km to reach the camp . There were many casualties that even the historians cannot take the full account of the prisoners. War is war: prisoners were treated brutally, full of physical and mental abuse.
Even their dad escaped, he did not escape the disease he contracted during the war and eventually died of lung cancer. He was 36 years old.
My eldest sibling was only four years old when his dad died. At that age, I suppose one has little memory of their biological father. One thing that stood out in their story how they spoke highly of Mother’s second husband, my father. Father was good to them and that he is the Father they know and love.
The rest is history according to my sisters.
Related articles
- Bataan death march survivor Anthony Costa has new appreciation for Veterans Day (mercurynews.com)
- Play honors Bataan veterans (sfgate.com)
- Bataan Death March
Semper Fidelis
Semper Fidelis is Latin for “Always Faithful” or “Always Loyal.” This is the motto of the United States Marine Corps. It is a useful slogan not just for the Corps but as well as to our country and to humanity.
I have taken the liberty of posting war stories. A proper theme for the day. This is a Remembrance Day story that I am proud to share about my Uncle during his younger days and his brother Moises Gonzalez, who lost his life in 1944 who were faithful to humanity during the war.
The Gonzales brothers saved the life of James Carrington. James was a World War II veteran reunited with Uncle who aided his escape from Japanese after 64 years and died shortly after the reunion.
Both men cried with joy when they met. Carrington was thankful that if it were not for the courage of the Gonzalez, he would not be here.
You may want to read the rest of the story by clicking on the picture or here. A YouTube is also available here.
I am happy for them. I wish I could make Uncle happier if I could help him find out what really happened to his brother. I posted a story about it in Love and Valor.
Take time to remember. Let us together as a nation to honour and remember the Veterans, war dead and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf in times of war, armed conflict and peace. There are many ways to remember and actively participate to honour those who served our country. For one, do not hesitate to discuss this with your family and friends. It’s important to remember so that we don’t repeat the past.
Nathaniel ~ US Marine
Let us honor the valiant who sacrificed their lives for your safety. Let us salute our nation’s heroes. Let us remind our friends and dear ones about the patriots who lost everything in battle. Let our silent prayers be a tribute to them.
Lester Pearson
Whether we live together in confidence and cohesion; with more faith and pride in ourselves and less self-doubt and hesitation; strong in the conviction that the destiny of Canada is to unite, not divide; sharing in cooperation, not in separation or in conflict; respecting our past and welcoming our future.
Lest we forget.
Related Links: Photo Credits: Nola News and Nephew Nathaniel
Photographs and Memories 