Caylynn's Contemplations: Canada

Showing posts with label Canada. Show all posts

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

Canadian Blog Awards

This is a sticky post. Please scroll down to see new posts.

I've just discovered that I've been nominated for the Canadian Blog Awards in the Best New Blog, and Best Sports Blog categories. I wish I had known sooner, so I could have mentioned it previously! Voting closes tomorrow (November 21st), so if you could, I would really appreciate it if you could head on over and vote for me (Caylynn's Contemplations) in those two categories. Thanks very much!

Voting Rules:

You may vote once per day. It's not required that you vote in every category, but you must make all your selections before submitting your votes.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

Thursday Thirteen

#11 - 13 Places my Husband has been posted as a Canadian Military Engineer

Last week I brought you: 13 Conflicts Past and Present in which Canadians Have Served
This week I'm sharing with you 13 places my husband has been posted, including his tours overseas (which I'm listing first). 1-4, naturally, were unaccompanied (being combat and peacekeeping missions) and 5 was also unaccompanied. Unaccompanied means that the family stays back home in Canada during the mission. Typically, for peacekeeping missions, the Canadian Forces member has one week of leave, sometime during the tour, where they can come home to Canada to visit family. Alternatively, one family member (ie. spouse) can fly to meet them somewhere between the mission location and Canada, provided it doesn't cost more to fly the family member and Canadian Forces member to that location, than it does to fly the Canadian Forces member back to Canada.

Operation Desert Storm / Persian Gulf War: As a young Lieutenant (pronounced Left-tenant), my husband was in command of a troop of soldiers, who were originally deployed to provide engineering services for the Canadian Field Hospital in Saudi Arabia (including maintaining the water purification unit) but they ended up doing a lot of EOD work (Explosive Ordnance Disposal - in other words, munitions disposal) in Kuwait, after that country was liberated. My husband was actually the officer who opened up the Canadian Embassy in Kuwait City after the liberation.
Operation HALO / United Nations Support Mission in Haiti (UNSMIH) - My husband served a six-month peacekeeping tour in Haiti. In Haiti, again my husband participated in EOD work, as well as helping to re-build one of the major ports in Port-au-Prince. They also helped with humanitarian projects, such as rebuilding schools.
Operation PALLADIUM / NATO Stabilization Force (SFOR) Bosnia - My husband served a six-month tour of duty in Bosnia, supervising mine clearance as well as rebuilding efforts. Again, the Canadian military engineers helped with humanitarian projects, such as rebuilding roads and schools.
Operation ECLIPSE / United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) - This is another peacekeeping tour that my husband did. This one was particularly rough, because he was gone over Christmas. He was one of the first officers and soldiers to go over, because, as the Deputy Commanding Officer, he was in charge of 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 the soldiers' duties, to give the soldiers the day off. So my husband 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 I didn't even get a call from him on Christmas. Once the camp was set up, around mid-January, I started hearing from him almost every day via email, and once a week by phone. But that Christmas was hard.
Royal Military College of Science, Shrivenham, UK - My husband spent six months in England on course at the Royal Military College of Science, doing post-graduate-level work in explosive chemistry.
56 Field Engineer Squadron, St. John's, Newfoundland - This was my husband's reserve unit while he was a student at university. After graduating from university, he joined the Regular Force as an engineering officer.
Canadian Forces School of Military Engineering, CFB Chilliwack, British Columbia - Sadly, the base at Chilliwack was closed during the 1990s, so there's no chance of being posted back there in the future. British Columbia has some of the nicest weather in Canada, but since there are no longer any regular force army bases in BC, it's highly unlikely we'll ever end up in BC.
2 Combat Engineer Regiment, CFB Petawawa, Ontario - This was my husband's first posting as a newly-minted Lieutenant, many years before I met him. While in Petawawa he earned his jumper's wings (passing the military parachute course), becoming an Airborne Engineer.
4 Engineer Support Regiment, CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick - My husband served two tours of duty in 4ESR. During his second tour he was the unit's DCO (Deputy Commanding Officer), second-in-command behind the Commanding Officer.
Land Force Trials and Evaluation Unit, CFB Gagetown, New Brunswick - This unit conducted all kinds of different trials of various new equipment, and evaluated their performance. My husband was the engineering officer assigned to the unit.

Directorate of Land Communication and Information, Ottawa, Ontario - My husband was the engineering officer assigned to DLCI. DLCI is responsible for the design, implementation and support of various information technology and telecommunications services.
Canadian Forces Language School, Foreign Language School, Asticou, Gatineau, Quebec - My husband was posted here a year before our posting to Germany to learn the German language. I was fortunate enough to be able to take the language training with him. Here in Munich, my husband works as an exchange officer/liaison officer in a German environment, so he had to have a good working ability in German before being posted to Munich.
Verbindungsoffizier, Pionierschule, Prinz-Eugen-Kaserne, München, Deutschland - This is our current posting to Munich. My husband is working as a liaison/exchange officer at the German military engineering school and at the NATO military engineering school. He keeps the German engineers apprised of Canadian military engineering issues, and vice-versa. He also teaches/lectures at the NATO school and the German military engineering school.

Note: The red uniform my husband is wearing in the picture to the right is called "Mess Kit" or "Mess Dress". It is the formal uniform for engineering officers in the army, the equivalent of a civilian tuxedo. Although it is red, it is NOT an RCMP uniform. It is a Canadian Forces Officer's uniform.

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Why They Serve

This is from the Edmonton Sun, Graham Hicks. It expresses why many men and women serve in the Canadian Forces.

Your alarm goes off, you hit the snooze and sleep for another 10 minutes. He (or she) stays up for days on end.
You take a shower to wake up. He goes weeks without running water.
You call in sick with a headache. He could be splattered with bullets or shrapnel, but keeps moving forward.
You put on your anti-Afghanistan shirt, go meet your friends. He fights for your right to wear that shirt.
You talk "trash" with your buddies that aren't with you. He may not see some of his buddies ever again.
You walk the street, staring at the pretty girls (or guys). He walks the streets, searching for insurgents and terrorists.
You complain about 30°C in summer. He wears his heavy gear in 40°C heat, not daring to take off his helmet to wipe his brow.
You change your clothes every day. He'll wear the same army issue for months, but makes sure his weapons are clean.
You're angry because your class ran five minutes late. He gets told he's staying in Afghanistan another two months.
You hug your girlfriend (or spouse, or boyfriend) every day. He holds the letter close and tries to think of his love's perfume (or cologne).
You criticize the government - war never solves anything.
He sees the innocent, tortured and killed by their own, and remembers why he's fighting.
You see only what the media thinks you can handle seeing. He sees the bodies and blood, lying around him.
You sit and judge him, saying the world is a worse place because of men (and women) like them.
If only there were more like them.
(Author unknown)

Remembrance Day Ceremony

Today my husband and I attended the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Dürnbach War Cemetery, here in Bayern (Bavaria), one of the Commonwealth War Grave Sites. Remembrance Day was yesterday, but the local remembrance ceremonies were held today, a Sunday.

My husband (a Canadian army Major) was there, along with a Canadian air force Colonel, a Canadian Warrant Officer, many British officers and soldiers, several German military personnel, and a handful of military personnel from other NATO countries.

It was a very moving ceremony, with readings in both German and English. About 20 wreaths were laid. As was typical for Remembrance Day, the weather was dreary. It was cold and windy, with rain and hail. It was very easy to endure the wet and cold, however, when one thought of the sacrifice all those buried in the cemetery had made for our freedom. Enduring a bit of discomfort was the least we could do to honour their sacrifice and their memory.

The great majority of the men buried at Dürnbach are were members of the Royal Air Force, or the Royal Canadian Air Force, shot down over Bavaria, Wurtemberg, Austria, Hessen and Thuringia.

It was too cold, windy, and wet to take any pictures, but photos of the cemetery can be found here or here.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

Lest We Forget

November 11th is Remembrance Day. At the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we pause for two minutes, to remember those who have lost their lives in war and in peace support operations, and to honour those who have served and who continue to serve.

Please take a moment to attend your local Remembrance Day ceremonies. If that's not possible, you can watch the ceremony at the National War Memorial on CBC. At the very least, please pause for two minutes of silence at 11:00.

Also take a moment to reflect on the lines in 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.

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.
In Flanders Fields, by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae

From Canoe.ca:
Following is a rundown of Canadian casualties in the wars fought since 1899 and in peacekeeping since 1947. (Figures for the First and Second World Wars include Newfoundland, which at the time was not part of Canada.)

Boer War (1899-1902): 277 killed, 252 wounded of 8,300 who served.

First World War (1914-18): 68,260 killed, 173,000 wounded of about 620,000 who served.

Second World War (1939-1945): 45,615 killed, 54,000 wounded of about 1.1 million who served.

Korean War (1950-53): 516 killed, 1,542 wounded of 27,000 who served.

Gulf War (1990-91): No deaths or injuries.

Afghanistan (2002-): 42 killed.

Peacekeeping (1947-): 116 killed of more than 125,000 who served.

I've written some previous posts on Remembrance Day and Veterans' Week, including entries for the memes Friday Fun and Thursday Thirteen.

She, a fellow Canadian blogger, has written a wonderful post on Remembrance Day. Please visit her site to read what she has to say.

The next time you see a veteran, thank them for all they have done for us and our country.

More resources on Remembrance Day:

Donate "Red" in Honour of Canada's Troops

Operation Roll Up Your Sleeves

Canadians are being asked to donate blood in November as a way of honouring the contribution of Canadian Forces personnel in Canada and around the world.

According to the Winnipeg Sun, it's:

"an excellent way to let our Canadian troops know we're thinking of them and appreciate the sacrifices they're making not only on behalf of us here at home, but also in the cause of freedom."

Donors will be encouraged to complete "In Honour" cards at clinics that will be sent to the National Chief of the Defence Staff on their behalf.

More information on "Operation Roll Up Your Sleeves" can be found here at the Canadian Blood Services web site.

It's a great way to help your fellow Canadians, who need your blood, and to show Canada's troops that we support them and the work they do.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Friday Fun

Friday Freedom

In honor of veterans everywhere,…!

What does Veteran’s Day mean to you?

We celebrate Remembrance Day in Canada, as well as Veterans' Week. Remembrance Day is exactly that for me - I time to remember and thank all those who sacrificed their lives to ensure our freedom. It's also a time to thank all those who have served in the past and who continue to serve.
Do you have a friend or family member that is a veteran?
- My husband is a member of the Canadian Forces. He serves as an military engineering officer in the army (land forces). He is considered a veteran because he served in the first Gulf War in 1991. I am very proud of him, and of all the men and women who serve in the Canadian Forces. I would serve myself, if it wasn't for a couple of medical issues that the Canadian Forces won't accept in its recruits or officer cadets.
- My father briefly served in the military (obtained his training as a firefighter in the military) before marrying my mother. When they married, he left the military and became a civilian firefighter
- My husband's maternal grandfather is a World War II veteran. He is an amazing man, now in his 80s. I thank him, and all the other veterans of his generation, for ensuring our freedom. I can't imagine what it must have been like for him on the front lines in the second World War, seeing his friends and comrades die. Very tragic and very sad, but a necessary war to stop Hitler.

What does freedom mean to you?

Freedom, to me, means being able to make my own choices and decisions, as long as those choices are legal (do not break the law). It means I can decide how I want to live my life, as long as in doing so I don't infringe on the rights of others. It means I can choose what religion to follow, where and what to study, where to live, what job I have, how to dress, what car to drive, etc. In many countries people, especially women, don't have those choices.
For my non-US friends, does your country have a day to honor veterans? If so, how is it celebrated?

Yes, we honour our Veterans through Veterans' Week and Remembrance Day. Veterans' Week runs from November 5th to 11th, and Remembrance Day is celebrated on November 11th. On the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour, Canadians pause for two minutes of silence, to honour those who gave their lives serving their country. There are also ceremonies throughout the country, honouring all veterans.

I was fortunate enough, on Remembrance Day in 1986, to be chosen as a wreath bearer for the national ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. As a Pathfinder (one of the age groups in the Girl Guides of Canada) I represented the youth of Canada, and carried the wreath of poppies for the three young people who then laid the wreath on the War Memorial. It was a very moving and touching ceremony.

Every year my husband and I attend a ceremony at one of the cenotaphs wherever we are. As a member of the Canadian Forces, my husband is expected to attend a ceremony, but even if it were not expected, we would still go, in order to honour all those who have served. This year, since we are posted to Munich, we will be attending a ceremony at one of the Commonwealth War Graves here in Bayern (Bavaria). I expect it will be a very moving ceremony.

Also in Canada, most Canadians, including all military personnel, wear a poppy, starting on the first of November and lasting until Remembrance Day. The Poppy is a symbol of Remembrance, "our visual pledge to never forget all those Canadians who have fallen in war and military operations." For more information on the poppy, check out the Royal Canadian Legion.

For more information on how Canadians celebrate Remembrance Day, you can check out a post I made yesterday: 13 Ways to Take Part in Veterans' Week. You can also visit the Veterans' Affairs Web Site, which has many excellent resources on celebrating Veterans' Week and Remembrance Day.

Friday, October 27, 2006

Canadians: Wear Red on Fridays

Canadians are being asked to wear red on Fridays to support the troops. You can read more about Red Fridays at this site or here.

As a Canadian army wife, I ask all Canadians to wear red on Fridays, to show their support for the men and women who serve in Canada's military. Regardless of whether you support the mission in Afghanistan or not, the troops are deserving of our support. As a military wife, I thank you.

More resources on supporting Canada's troops:

Friday, October 20, 2006

Canadians: Wear Red on Fridays

Monday, October 09, 2006

Our first Thanksgiving in Germany

So this is our first autumn in Germany. We just moved to Munich this past July, and we'll be here for the next three years.

For those that don't know us, my hubby and I are Canadian. My husband is an engineering officer in the Canadian Forces. Canada doesn't have any bases in Germany anymore, but we do have positions at various NATO bases as well as a few exchange positions. My husband is serving as an exchange officer with the German military engineering school, the Pionierschule, in Munich.

We've spent the last 5 years in Ottawa, where hubby was posted prior to the posting to Munich, and I've lived most of my life in Ottawa. My parents, and my sister, her husband, and my niece, are all in Ottawa.

So this year is the first year since 2000 that we didn't spend Thanksgiving with my family. For all of my non-Canadian readers, I need to tell you that Thanksgiving Day in Canada takes place on second Monday in October.

Canadian Thanksgiving

In Canada Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday in October. Unlike the American tradition of remembering Pilgrims and settling in the New World, Canadians give thanks for a successful harvest. The harvest season falls earlier in Canada compared to the United States due to the simple fact that Canada is further north.

The history of Thanksgiving in Canada goes back to an English explorer, Martin Frobisher, who had been trying to find a northern passage to the Orient. He did not succeed but he did establish a settlement in Northern America. In the year 1578, he held a formal ceremony, in what is now called Newfoundland, to give thanks for surviving the long journey. This is considered the first Canadian Thanksgiving. Other settlers arrived and continued these ceremonies. He was later knighted and had an inlet of the Atlantic Ocean in northern Canada named after him - Frobisher Bay.

At the same time, French settlers, having crossed the ocean and arrived in Canada with explorer Samuel de Champlain, also held huge feasts of thanks. They even formed 'The Order of Good Cheer' and gladly shared their food with their Indian neighbours.

After the Seven Year's War ended in 1763, the citizens of Halifax held a special day of Thanksgiving.

During the American Revolution, Americans who remained loyal to England moved to Canada where they brought the customs and practices of the American Thanksgiving to Canada. There are many similarities between the two Thanksgivings such as the cornucopia and the pumpkin pie.

Eventually in 1879, Parliament declared November 6th a day of Thanksgiving and a national holiday. Over the years many dates were used for Thanksgiving, the most popular was the 3rd Monday in October. After World War I, both Armistice Day and Thanksgiving were celebrated on the Monday of the week in which November 11th occurred. Ten years later, in 1931, the two days became separate holidays and Armistice Day was renamed Remembrance Day.

Finally, on January 31st, 1957, Parliament proclaimed...

"A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed ... to be observed on the 2nd Monday in October."

If you want to learn more about the traditions and history of Canadian Thanksgiving, you can check out Canadian Heritage.

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Rally in Toronto to Back Troops

This week, according to the Toronto Sun, there will be a rally in Toronto to support Canada's Troops.

Last week there was a rally in Ottawa, to show support for the troops.

Canadians are being asked to wear red on Fridays to support the troops. You can read more about Red Fridays at this site.

As a Canadian army wife, I ask all Canadians to wear red on Fridays, to show their support for the men and women who serve in Canada's military. Regardless of whether you support the mission in Afghanistan or not, the troops are deserving of our support. As a military wife, I thank you.