It always seems to be damp and cold and dreary on any given Remembrance Day.  Somehow that seems very appropriate .    As we approach another one...my mind always goes back to my dad.  Tom King was in the navy during World War Two. He was there on D Day.....sweeping the ocean for mines before the troops went ashore. Growing up...we were taught the importance of Remembrance Day and showing support for the military both past and present.  I don't remember Dad really talking about it much as I grew up.  I remember little things like how he said the dolphins used to swim beside the minesweepers and it make them feel safer.  I remember hearing about how bad the food was.   I remember him saying he spent one Christmas Day alone, on a bench, in England.  I remember a story about a bomb hitting a nearby ship and the men on dad's ship reaching out to grab survivors and about one man who was just within his grasp but he couldn't reach him and had to watch him slip away.  As dad got older, it was like all the memories came flooding back.  It was all he wanted to talk about.  The legion and his veteran buddies became very important to him.   The memories were more vivid...the tears flowed more easily.  I was always so proud of my dad for serving his country.  I wear my poppy proudy.   If you see a veteran, in your travels, this week....take a minute to shake his hand and say thankyou or buy him a coffee.   We owe them our lives.

Thanks, Dad.

Wendy