A Pittance of Time

A co-worker sent out an e-mail with a video clip that can be found at www.remembrance-day.ca. I'll give background information from the site, and then the e-mail response from another co-worker. BACKGROUND INFORMATION On November 11, 1999 Terry Kelly was in a Shoppers Drug Mart store in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. At 10:55 AM an announcement came over the store's PA asking customers who would still be on the premises at 11:00 AM to give two minutes of silence in respect to the veterans who have sacrificed so much for us. Terry was impressed with the store's leadership role in adopting the Legion's "two minutes of silence" initiative. He felt that the store's contribution of educating the public to the importance of remembering was commendable. When eleven o'clock arrived on that day, an announcement was again made asking for the "two minutes of silence" to commence. All customers, with the exception of a man who was accompanied by his young child, showed their respect. Terry's anger towards the father for trying to engage the store's clerk in conversation and for setting a bad example for his child was later channeled into a beautiful piece of work called, "A Pittance of Time". Terry later recorded "A Pittance of Time" and included it on his full-length music CD, "The Power of the Dream". In the interest of creating a greater awareness of the sacrifices that have been made and are still being made on our behalf, "A Pittance of Time" has been adapted to the French language and titled "C'est si peu de temps". Music videos for both audio tracks were also produced in support of the campaign. For more information on Terry Kelly and his work, please visit him at www.terry-kelly.com. E-MAIL FROM DENZIL HARRIS Denzil Harris is from Canada. Here is his e-mail: Interesting video clip. If you look closely in the video, you will see several people wearing red poppies - the symbol of Remembrance Day in Canada. The symbol is based on the famous poem - In Flander's Fields - by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918) who served in the Canadian Army during WWI. 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. With no disrespect to any of the fine traditions here in the US, this is one tradition from Canada that I do miss. Everyone wearing poppies during the week of Remembrance Day. Next year, I am going to remember wear a poppy on Remembrance Day. I am not sure if it is still required in the schools, but I do remember that we had to memorize and recite this poem. Just thought I would pass on this tidbit of info. Denzil