My Opa fled Germany and hid in the attic of the family who would eventually become his inlaws when he was 15 in Amsterdam. After witnessing every one of his friends he had escaped with shot in the street for there Jewish decent. He helped rebuild his city with the help of Canadian troops. Every single time they visited Canada he would buy anything with a maple leaf on it. I still have about a dozen old Canadien wooden hockey sticks back in Winnipeg in the garage all right handed, never had the heart to tell him I was a lefty. He was so proud that his daughter made it to Canada and had a family. His picture reminds every time I see it what being a Canadian soldier meant and how it directly impacted my world. Always thank a soldier that you see no matter where you are, always. That is what he asked me to do and to this day I still do it. Sometimes it catches them off guard, but truly the life of a soldier is one I don't think I could muster through and I appreciate all that they have done, currently do and will accomplish.
|