In a few days the media will be full of stories about the heroism of tens of thousands at Vimy Ridge. The 9th marks the 100th anniversary. It was the day that many would later claim was the very day Canada came of age as a nation. The stories of many Victoria Cross men on that day and throughout the Great War have appeared before here in the past. More will come, as it should be.
South of the border men and women who have served, and in many cases gave their lives, is often noted in the press.
Today is one of those days. More will no doubt follow tomorrow.
It started with the roar of a few very loud engines. In fact more than a few. The powerful choppers of the Patriots Guard Riders would lead the line. Others would followed. Not just a few.
Early reports anticipated well over 550 emergency vehicles representing 14 different fire departments and over 20 different law enforcement agencies. No doubt other dignitaries tagged along. The parade would stretch upwards of EIGHT MILES... and would travel about 100 km north from Dallas area of Texas and would not shut down till they were in the center of no doubt a very large crowd at a city of some 16,000 called Gainesville.
On its founding back in 1850 the donated land was just a handful of acres donated and to be called "Liberty." It took for awhile, but then they learned that that name was already in use for another place about 300 miles away.
They should have Googled it!
It would be a dozen years later when folks were really thinking about liberties... the Civil War was about to break open.
And in that war we all know that the Medal of Honor came to life. And the folks at Liberty... ooops... Gainesville have recently not only I guess remember earlier days..but also the terrible cost that five year span of America paid.
It was these costs, the creation of the medal and the 100 mile parade were all this comes together.
The parade was for 19 Medal of Honor men who came to the city in days past. A city like most, but with a difference. A city that proudly boasts to be the only one of its kind in the country. A city that hosts the Medal of Honor Program, a series of private and public get-to-gethers for MOH men to meet, and also greet the public in a variety of forums.
While not at all honouring wars, it and the men being escorted and entertained at Gainesville have a powerful message to the youth about the role of all citizens to live moral lives and to serve your community and state and country and the world... with honour.
Thousands of handshakes will be exchanged while these heroes are in Texas. And with just about every one of them, the recipient will tell his new friend that the blue ribbon he wears around his neck does not belong to him, but to his comrades who gave their all, and could not come home to carry the same message, and live long productive lives with family and friends.
As many pictures will be taken shaking the hands of a true hero, and memories will be instantly created that will last a life time. I still recall with considerable pride meeting almost 4 dozen of these heroes at Gettysburg in 2013.
In fact, in shaking the hands of one recipient I was then told that I just shook the hand of Abraham Lincoln. Google this site to get that story.
South of the border men and women who have served, and in many cases gave their lives, is often noted in the press.
Today is one of those days. More will no doubt follow tomorrow.
It started with the roar of a few very loud engines. In fact more than a few. The powerful choppers of the Patriots Guard Riders would lead the line. Others would followed. Not just a few.
Early reports anticipated well over 550 emergency vehicles representing 14 different fire departments and over 20 different law enforcement agencies. No doubt other dignitaries tagged along. The parade would stretch upwards of EIGHT MILES... and would travel about 100 km north from Dallas area of Texas and would not shut down till they were in the center of no doubt a very large crowd at a city of some 16,000 called Gainesville.
On its founding back in 1850 the donated land was just a handful of acres donated and to be called "Liberty." It took for awhile, but then they learned that that name was already in use for another place about 300 miles away.
They should have Googled it!
It would be a dozen years later when folks were really thinking about liberties... the Civil War was about to break open.
And in that war we all know that the Medal of Honor came to life. And the folks at Liberty... ooops... Gainesville have recently not only I guess remember earlier days..but also the terrible cost that five year span of America paid.
It was these costs, the creation of the medal and the 100 mile parade were all this comes together.
The parade was for 19 Medal of Honor men who came to the city in days past. A city like most, but with a difference. A city that proudly boasts to be the only one of its kind in the country. A city that hosts the Medal of Honor Program, a series of private and public get-to-gethers for MOH men to meet, and also greet the public in a variety of forums.
While not at all honouring wars, it and the men being escorted and entertained at Gainesville have a powerful message to the youth about the role of all citizens to live moral lives and to serve your community and state and country and the world... with honour.
Thousands of handshakes will be exchanged while these heroes are in Texas. And with just about every one of them, the recipient will tell his new friend that the blue ribbon he wears around his neck does not belong to him, but to his comrades who gave their all, and could not come home to carry the same message, and live long productive lives with family and friends.
As many pictures will be taken shaking the hands of a true hero, and memories will be instantly created that will last a life time. I still recall with considerable pride meeting almost 4 dozen of these heroes at Gettysburg in 2013.
In fact, in shaking the hands of one recipient I was then told that I just shook the hand of Abraham Lincoln. Google this site to get that story.
Gainesville has created a Medal of Honor Park, shown at left with the city water tower at right.
The park was opened a few years ago with the center piece being a granite monument topped by a bronze eagle. Clutched in its talons are the ribbons supporting the latest version of the army (at left) the navy, marines and coast guard, (at center) and the air force Medals of Honor. Downtown streets continue to show the city's patriotism with street banners like the one shown here.
More on Friday in a special edition to make up for the lateness of today's blog.
Bart
More on Friday in a special edition to make up for the lateness of today's blog.
Bart
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