Stories from the Stringam Family Ranches of Southern Alberta

From the 50s and 60s to today . . .



Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Heroes

Front and Center.
I stood with my family to watch the Remembrance Day celebrations.
We had to stand because there were no seats left in the packed, gi-normous, seats-a-million, Edmonton Butterdome.
Yes, it looks like a huge chunk of butter.
And no it doesn’t really seat a million.
Moving on . . .
Our son, Erik was part of the Edmonton City Police Honour Guard.
We’ve watched him march in numerous parades.
He’s easy to pick out.
Always right marker.
Because he stands a head taller than anyone else.
Hear the buttons popping? That would be me. Pride does that to a mom.
Back to my story . . .
Two things stood out in my mind.
First, watching my son.
Second, watching those young men and women - and some not so young - representing all branches of the service as they stood in their ranks across the broad field.
As the celebration drew long, several of them, as my son puts it, ‘thundered in’.
That is the PC term for what happens when the human body is expected to remain motionless in a rigid stance for a long period of time. It gets light-headed. And, sometimes, loses consciousness.
The medics were kept busy in the latter half of the celebration, escorting soldiers off the field.
As I watched those young people making their rather wobble-legged way to the edge of the grounds, it occurred to me that those people we put up there on a pedestal are human.
Just like us.
They have weaknesses and are subject to physical limitations. Fatigue. Hunger. Illness. Fear. Sorrow.
Just like us.
They don’t have super powers. Can’t fly, don’t have x-ray vision, are not impervious to pain and certainly can’t make bullets bounce off their chests.
And yet, they are out there on the front line, putting everything they have between us and anyone who might try to hurt or deprive or enslave us.
Despite their human frailties.
And that makes them, in my eyes, even greater heroes.
Thank you.

10 comments:

  1. He IS a tall lad isn't he? I've often wondered why they have these 'celebrations' where they force the men to remain so still for so long...couldn't they be a little more humane?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I so agree! My son tells me there's a technique to remaining standing for that long. It's worked for him thus far. He needs to teach it to the others. . .

      Delete
  2. you must be so proud of him. I would be. God bless all our sons and daughters who take this road.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It can't be an easy path to choose. Thank you to these upstanding service members, and to their families also.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Yes, I am so thankful for our servicemen and women.
    Love,
    Chris

    ReplyDelete
  5. "As the celebration drew long, several of them....thundered in"
    This has been happening for many years worth of such celebrations, not just military, yet no one has ever thought to provide chairs. The parade members must stand, some until they drop. In my opinion this is close to criminal, certainly it must come under the abuse blanket. Why not provide seating?? Do they mistakenly think it might show weakness? hmpf!

    ReplyDelete

Thank you for visiting! Drop by again!

Real Estates: All Murders Included in the Price!

Real Estates: All Murders Included in the Price!
My FIRST murder mystery!

Blessed by a Curse

Blessed by a Curse
My very first Medieval Romance!

God's Tree

God's Tree
For the Children

Third in the series

Third in the series
Deborah. Fugitive of Faith

The Long-Awaited Sequel to Daughter of Ishmael

The Long-Awaited Sequel to Daughter of Ishmael
A House Divided is now available at all fine bookstores and on Amazon.com and .ca!

Daughter of Ishmael

Daughter of Ishmael
Now available at Amazon.com and .ca and Chapters.ca and other fine bookstores.

Romance still wins!

Romance still wins!
First romance in a decade!

Hosts: Your Room's Ready

Hosts: Your Room's Ready
A fun romp through the world's most haunted hotel!

Hugs, Delivered.

Compass Book Ratings

Compass Book Ratings

Ghost of the Overlook

Ghost of the Overlook
Need a fright?

My Granddaughter is Carrying on the Legacy!

My Granddaughter is Carrying on the Legacy!
New Tween Novel!

Gnome for Christmas

Gnome for Christmas
The newest in my Christmas Series

SnowMan

SnowMan
A heart warming story of love and sacrifice.

Translate

My novel, Carving Angels

My novel, Carving Angels
Read it! You know you want to!

My Second Novel: Kris Kringle's Magic

My Second Novel: Kris Kringle's Magic
What could be better than a second Christmas story?!

Join me on Maven

Connect with me on Maven

Essence

Essence
A scientist and his son struggle to keep their earth-shattering discovery out of the wrong hands.

Essence: A Second Dose

Essence: A Second Dose
Captured and imprisoned, a scientist and his son use their amazing discovery to foil evil plans.

Looking for a Great Read?

E-Books by Diane Stringam Tolley
Available from Smashwords.com

The Babysitter

The Babysitter
A baby-kidnapping ring has its eye on J'Aime and her tiny niece.

Melissa

Melissa
Haunted by her past, Melissa must carve a future. Without Cain.

Devon

Devon
Following tragedy, Devon retreats to the solitude of the prairie. Until a girl is dropped in his lap.

Pearl, Why You Little...

Pearl, Why You Little...
Everyone should spend a little time with Pearl!

The Marketing Mentress

The Marketing Mentress
Building solid relationships with podcast and LinkedIn marketing

Coffee Row

Coffee Row
My Big Brother's Stories

Better Blogger Network

Semper Fidelis

Semper Fidelis
I've been given an award!!!

The Liebster Award

The Liebster Award
My good friend and Amazing Blogger, Marcia of Menopausal Mother awarded me . . .

Irresistibly Sweet Award

Irresistibly Sweet Award
Delores, my good friend from The Feathered Nest, has nominated me!

Sunshine Award!!!

Sunshine Award!!!
My good friend Red from Oz has nominated me!!!

My very own Humorous Blogger Award From Delores at The Feathered Nest!

Be Courageous!


Grab and Add!

Search This Blog

Ghost of the Overlook

Ghost of the Overlook
Need a fright?