Sunday, November 7, 2010

Standing Strong and True

I came across this song the other day and I had to share. It's a group of Canadian country artists who've put together a song to honour our veterans. Our Remembrance Day is Thursday November 11 and this song is perfect.

I showed it to the kids in my class and they loved it. They're going to be singing it at our service on Thursday.



Powerful stuff.
"Love one another, that stranger is your brother. Leave a footprint everywhere you go."
"Standing strong and true, on guard for me and you."

I know it's a few days early, and I'm not sure when other countries celebrate and thank their veterans and their troops, but I wanted to share.

"Bless the true believers who stand and fight for freedom."

The men and women who enlist have my eternal gratitude and respect. They give so much more than most of us realize to help make the world a better place. Thank you all.

"I pray the past can teach us all before another hero falls."

86 comments:

Emy Shin said...

Thank you for sharing this. It's lovely and moving.

Mason Canyon said...

Our Veterans Day is Thursday too. Love this video and the bagpipes at the beginning brings chills. We do need to remember those who have and are fighting for our freedom. Wonderful and inspiring, thanks for the reminder.

Mason
Thoughts in Progress

Jemi Fraser said...

Emy - you're welcome. I don't usually embed videos, but this one was pretty special. Glad you liked it.

Jemi Fraser said...

Mason - bagpipes do it for me as well. Partially the Scottish heritage I suppose, but they convey such emotion for me. Glad you enjoyed it.

Lola Sharp said...

Our veterans day was earlier in October, but this is indeed POWERFUL and moving. I don't think we have a song...but this one is truly lovely. Thanks for sharing.

RHYTHM AND RHYME said...

Thank you for sharing, it is perfect for Rememberance Day. We have ours next Sunday the14th.

Yvonne.

Jemi Fraser said...

Lola - I thought it was powerful too. It's nice to have something new and fresh for the kids to relate too. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Yvonne - there are so many different times when countries honour their vets. I'm glad so many countries do.

Julie Musil said...

GAVE ME CHILLS! Thanks so much for sharing this. Our day is Thursday also, and truly appreciate you sharing this song with us.

Jemi Fraser said...

Julie - me too! I think it's amazing - very well done. I'm not sure who wrote it, but whoever it is really has a way with words!

Old Kitty said...

The UK has theirs on the 14th - Remembrance Sunday - the closest Sunday to the 11th.

Thanks for the clip of this lovely song! Take care
x

Jemi Fraser said...

Old Kitty - that's a good idea having it on the Sunday. We keep it on the 11th no matter what. Many of our kids wouldn't make it to a service otherwise, so I'm glad we do one at school.

Glad you liked the song :)

Sage Ravenwood said...

Gorgeous. I looked up the lyrics of the entire song. Beautiful tribute. These words ring so true. (Hugs)Indigo

Jemi Fraser said...

Indigo - I'm so glad you enjoyed it! It really is beautifully written. :)

VR Barkowski said...

Beautiful post, Jemi, thank you. I recently moved to a new suburb of Atlanta and was astounded to find every street lined with flags and the names of those lost in honor of Veteran's Day - WWI to present day.

The fallen *are* our heros. They only fought in vain only if we don't hear their voices.

"... the past can teach us all before another hero falls."

Jemi Fraser said...

VR - you're welcome! Wow! That's an awesome thing to do. I'm really impressed.

The lyrics are so true and honest aren't they?

Jane Kennedy Sutton said...

What a lovely tribute. I hope it gets out to all the men and women currently serving.

Elliot Grace said...

...wonderful lyrics made even better when sang from our youth. Moving!

Jemi Fraser said...

Jane - thanks! I thought it was beautiful. My daughter loves country music and she saw it on the video channel today, so I think it's getting some air time :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Elliot - you're right - there's nothing quite like young voices lifted in hope. Makes the future look & sound pretty darn bright! :)

Unknown said...

As VR said, 'They only fought in vain only if we don't hear their voices'.

Lovely post Jemi.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Ever since 9/11, I've been pleased by how much our young people in the USA have come to appreciate our veterans. Many schools now have special assemblies to honor local men and women who have served.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

My father was career military and I have the utmost respect for those who serve!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

This is beautiful for any day of the year.

Jemi Fraser said...

Wendy - thank you! I hope we always remember, we always listen to those voices!

Jemi Fraser said...

Susan - it's sad it took such a horrific tragedy to bring about such a change. I'm glad to hear kids everywhere are being taught to listen to the voices of the past. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Alex - I do too. I don't have any close personal connections, and I'm always amazed at the people who take on such a task.

Jemi Fraser said...

Lynda - exactly! Thank you :)

Helen Ginger said...

That's a wonderful song. I hope someone tapes the kids singing it.

Jemi Fraser said...

Helen - thanks! I loved it too. Taping it is a great idea! I'll have to get someone to do it for me - I'll be occupied with computer & music duties during the service.

Velvet Over Steel said...

This is Awesome! Thank you for sharing and remembering!!! This is a great tribute!!

Blessings & Big Hug,
Coreen

Jemi Fraser said...

Coreen - thanks! I thought it was incredible too. It's so important to remember.

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Beautiful post, Jemi! I have a wall honoring family and friends who are/were veterans in my house...It's so important to honor those who are protecting us.

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Sharon. What a lovely thing to have in your home. It really is so important. In the past so many vets have not been treated well. I hope we've changed this.

Stephanie Thornton said...

I love that last line- I just might add that to my classroom wall.

Vets are important people with amazing stories to tell.

Jemi Fraser said...

Stephanie - I love it as well. It's very powerful - says a lot in very few words.

Totally agree :)

Ellie Garratt said...

Beautiful. Powerful lyrics. Thanks for sharing.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

That's wonderful, Jemi!

Anonymous said...

Its great to keep the kids aware of the sacrifices men and women in uniform make and to honor them. Nucely done.

Lisa_Gibson said...

How beautiful Jemi! Thanks for sharing with us. I'm always so grateful to those men and women who enlist to serve for our freedom. It's important we remember them. :)
Lisa ~ YA Literature Lover

Patricia Stoltey said...

This is wonderful, Jemi. Thanks for posting the video.

Okie said...

This is great. I love it. Thanks for sharing. :)

Talli Roland said...

You have totally made me well up here. Thanks for sharing, Jemi.

Jemi Fraser said...

Ellie - thanks. I thought the lyrics were incredible as well - lovely.

Jemi Fraser said...

Diane - thank you - I think it's pretty amazing too. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Stephen - thank you. I totally agree - if the kids don't understand, then we lose a lot of hope for peace.

Jemi Fraser said...

Lisa - I agree. I'm always amazed and impressed by the people who choose to take this incredibly difficult route. Thanking them is the very least we can do.

Jemi Fraser said...

Pat - thank you. I'm glad you liked it. I think it's amazing. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Okie - I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Talli - me too. The first time through had me covered in chills and teary eyed. It's so lovely.

Anonymous said...

Jemi, this is beautiful! Thanks for sharing. I don't think I could hold back tears if I was a teacher and heard my kids singing this song.

Denise Covey said...

We call it Armistice Day in Australia and have a minute's silence at 11 am. There are also ceremonies all round. Sobering...

Shannon O'Donnell said...

That was awesome, Jemi! Thanks for sharing it with us! :-)

Arlee Bird said...

This is a stirring tribute to those who defend our nations. And it's a good song too.

Lee
Tossing It Out

Jemi Fraser said...

Lynn - It is gorgeous, isn't it? :)

I do get a little teary when the kids sing, but that's okay - they know I feel strongly!

Jemi Fraser said...

L'Aussie - it really is sobering. It's nice to know so many around the world will be thinking the same thoughts of peace, hope & thanks at the same time.

Thanks for dropping by!

Jemi Fraser said...

Shannon - thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed it! :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Lee - that's exactly what I thought! The song is beautifully written - wonderful stuff!

Terry Stonecrop said...

Wonderful sentiments. I especially like the last one. And thanks for the great vid, too! Love those bagpipes:)

Jemi Fraser said...

Terry - aren't the pipes great! Sets the tone and imagery right off the bat. Hmmm... there's a writing lesson in there somewhere! :)

NENSA MOON said...

That's great, Jemi!
And the video with such beautiful lyric was perfect for the Rememberance day.
Thanks for sharing.

nensa

Jemi Fraser said...

Nensa - thanks! I love it, and am happy to see so many people do too! :)

Julie Dao said...

Thanks so much for sharing this. It brought tears to my eyes.

Unknown said...

Awesome Jemi, thank you for sharing it! I am obviously a little late but I think the song still holds the same meaning!

Jemi Fraser said...

Julie - you're welcome - it did the same for me. Those lyrics are amazing.

Jemi Fraser said...

Jen - our Remembrance Day is still a couple of days away - this Thursday. But I agree, the sentiment doesn't have a time frame.

Shelley Sly said...

This is a beautiful video -- the singers are really talented, too! Thanks so much for posting!

Jemi Fraser said...

Shelley - you're welcome! I'm so glad you enjoyed it - I think it's amazing :)

Janet Johnson said...

I have so much respect for our veterans. Different country, but same sentiment. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

I loved the video. The talent and emotion are beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Jemi Fraser said...

Janet - I agree. The veterans deserve so much respect and gratitude for what they've done. And I think you're right - the country doesn't matter.

Jemi Fraser said...

Medeia - Thank. Me too. The kids and parents at the school today thought it was amazing as well.

laughingwolf said...

canucks rock, as you know... so mote it be!

Jemi Fraser said...

Laughing Wolf - you are so correct! So mote it be indeed! :)

Lola Sharp said...

Oops *blushes* I was wrong. Ours was yesterday (Thurs.) and I thought of you and watched this video and said a prayer.

Theresa Milstein said...

How interesting Canada and the US honors their veterans on the same day, even if the day has a different name.

Jemi Fraser said...

Lola - that's okay! Ours are the same day then - I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's a lovely song.

Jemi Fraser said...

Theresa - it is interesing. The name of the Canadian day was a quesion on Jeopardy yesterday, but none of the contestants knew it.

Susan Fields said...

That gave me goosebumps! Thanks for sharing, Jemi!

Jemi Fraser said...

Susan - me too! My class sang along with it during the Remembrance Day service at school and it was wonderful! :)

Kelly Polark said...

Thanks for sharing that, I hadn't heard it.
I'm so glad that they got together to sing a song of support for the troops. They just don't get enough respect and support that they deserve.

Jemi Fraser said...

Kelly - you're so welcome. I agree. These are brave men and women who do so much for others. They deserve our respect.

patti said...

Oh, my! Again I scrolled for like an hour to get to the post comment spot.

You are so on my current theme.
Those who are breaking societal norms to MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
Heard Thomas Bloch speak Monday.
Amazing.

Patti

Jemi Fraser said...

Patti - lucky you! It's always a theme in my classroom. I really want the kids to make a positive difference. :)

Jackee said...

So beautiful. It gave me chills!!! I love that you shared this with your class and now they're singing it. I'm amazed how many people think nothing about the people who serve our countries.

Thanks for sharing the song--I'm going to show it to my kids and husband. Have a great holiday!

Jemi Fraser said...

Jackee - I love it too! It really is special. My kids still sing snatches of it in the hallways :)