Thanks, Gramps!

I didn't say "thank-you" to him today. I should have. Grandpa served our country in WWII and I should have told him "thank-you" at the Remembrance Day service today. I should have thanked every single one of the veterans in attendance. We got busy talking and eating and enjoying each other's company and then we left.

I came home and was reading some articles on Remembrance Day activities that took place around the city today and realized that we should have thanked ALL the veterans for sacrificing their lives. Those who didn't perish defending the ideals of democracy witnessed the horrors of war. They lost friends and brothers in front of their eyes. They experienced deplorable living conditions. They lost their youth and were forever changed. They too sacrificed their lives. For us. And for that, I am truly thankful.

Lest We Forget

Remembrance Day is on Wednesday and I've been reading some articles this week about those who oppose the poppy and those who choose not to celebrate Remembrance Day as they do not support war. I, on the other hand, proudly wear my poppy and make a point of travelling out of town to watch my grandpa march in his Legion's service.

I don't support war. I would love to see every Miss America contestant's dream come true and see us achieve world peace. But I do support those who have sacrificed their own lives so that I can have the opportunity to voice my opinion. To choose what I believe. To be free to live the life I want to live. To be free...period.

My grandfather was fortunate enough to survive some pretty nasty battles in Italy. Only recently, as his memory has started to fail him, has he shared some of the tragic events he witnessed. He has lived his entire life carrying horrific memories of war with him so that I don't have to experience the same.

So, on November 11th, at 11:00am, please stop and observe 2 minutes of silence, not in support of war, but in honour of those soldiers who gave their lives for us. Because, you can.

H1N1 Rant

Okay...here it goes. Can't do this on facebook for fear of "starting something" amongst my 'friends'. The Alberta Government started the immunization campaign by saying they would like the high-risk groups to come forward and get immunized but they wouldn't turn anyone away. So, the selfish, red-necked Albertan's came out in droves creating huge line-ups that were impenetrable by those in the high-risk groups.

I got my seasonal flu shot a month ago, at work, because we're considered high-risk as we're providing direct support to kids who are high-risk. I'm at work 8 hours+ per day to pay my taxes to have health care (including immunizations). Because I'm at work for 8 hours, I missed out on the clinics as the lines were too long as they were filled with those who are not considered high-risk.

I don't know if I'm more upset with AHS for not putting a screening process in place or with all the dumb-ass idiots who stood in line taking up space for those most at risk of contracting or passing on H1N1.

Then I read today that the Calgary Flames were able to get vaccines at an AHS private clinic. Really...healthy pro-hockey players are high-risk? I call BS.

This just in (as being reported on Global news as I type) - an AHS employee lost their job after allowing the Flames to queue-jump. Still doesn't change the fact I didn't get immunized and am worried about the kids I work with.

But...Glee just ended with "Don't Stop Believing". I love that song.