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Remembrance Day is November 11.

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Veterans' Week-November 5 to 11: How Will You Remember?

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This Veterans' Week, November 5 to 11, Canadians across the country will join together to show how they remember and honour our Veterans. As this important week starts Thursday, the Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, is encouraging all Canadians to think about how they will remember this Veterans' Week.

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On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Canadians are asked to pause and remember the thousands of men and women who sacrificed their lives fighting for freedom and democracy during the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War, the Afghanistan conflict and during peacekeeping missions.

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Why the Poppy?

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The association between the poppy and war dates back to the Napoleonic wars when a writer saw a field of poppies growing over the graves of fallen soldiers. During the Battle of Ypres in 1915, Canadian Lt.-Col. John McCrae was inspired to write the poem In Flanders Fields on sighting the poppies growing beside a grave of a close friend who had died in battle.

The poem was a great inspiration in adopting the poppy as the Flower of Remembrance in Canada, France, the U.S, Britain and Commonwealth countries.

The first poppies were distributed in Canada in 1921. Today the volunteer donations from the distribution of millions of poppies is an important source of revenue for the Royal Canadian Legion that goes toward helping ex-servicemen and women buy food, and obtain shelter and medical attention.

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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.

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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.

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Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high.

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If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

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• John McCrae, 1915

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Thank a Soldier

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In July 2009, Peter Holley was asked to sing the Canadian National Anthem at an event in Niagara Falls honouring the Canadian Forces. At the time, he wished he had a song of tribute to offer. He didn't. So he wrote one.

The song is called Thank A Soldier and is his way of expressing his gratitude to those who serve.

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Thank A Soldier

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Since this is a Clay blog -- I didn't forget him, here's a montage I haven't published before. Simple, but beautiful.

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Unchained Melody

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A favourite song of my uncles, all veterans, was Unchained Melody. They would have loved this version of it. If only the world could be as peaceful as the soft evening ocean waves.

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Clay sings Unchained Melody

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Well done! The America Giving Challenge is over. The National Inclusion Project received donations of more than $26,000! Many thanks to the contributors and cheerleaders on all the Clay boards!

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You can watch the videos right on site @

Clay-The MAN-Blogspot

Veterans Week - Remembrance Day

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Your visits and comments here and at Clay the Man, are so welcome -- please stop over to Clay-The MAN-Blogspot and make my day :)

Not only that, but your visits & comments help to keep Clay in a positive spotlight!

NOTE: See new updates at Clay the Man blogspot version

Includes best video of Clay at David Foster & Friends concert, the best audio of from the varioius videos to download, and links to Veterans Day and Armistice Day.

Hugs, Ashes