Friday, November 11, 2005

A Pittance of Time, A Song For Veteran's Day

From an email list of which I am a member:

From a Canadian songwriter, about the sacrifices marked by November 11th

Video is 6.5M but well worth the download

http://www.army.gc.ca/chief_land_staff/remembrance/English/Home.asp

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.

Watch the video

http://www.army.gc.ca/chief_land_staff/remembrance/English/Home.asp

Update, Veteran's Day 2009: The links above are no longer active, so here's the YouTube link.

2 comments:

EdWonk said...

I've always wondered why we, as a nation, seem to be incapable of doing this for any reason. The nation of Israel comes to a virtual standstill for a few moments each year as people stand in memorium to the victims of the holocaust. (April 25th in 2006)

We should similarily honor those who've worn the uniform each November 11th.

It should be the one event that all Americans should support, regardless of political affiliations.

Sadly, many wouldn't want to be "inconvenienced" by a minute's (or two) silence.

Darren said...

EdWonk, why would you want to show respect for a bunch of baby-killers?

(sarcasm light is *on*)