Pittance of Time- Please Read and Vist URL

[G M 2]

Most Canadians have at least heard of this, I hope you will enjoy it to, but more importantly..............LISTEN.



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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 channeled into a beautiful piece of work called, “A Pittance of Time”

 

[Jett BG]

thanks for sharing this link...

 

[Gerald Pierce]

Thanks for sharing....

 

[Thomas Rogers]

I don't know why, but this reminds me of Michael Newdow.

 

[Robert Cuenca]

Is it just me or dont people expect to be able to shop at a local drug store without having to have something such as this imposed on them?



There is a time and a place to show respect for all war veterans, in any country. Why does it have to be done when your trying to shop? I think this was a stupid issue to have with someone.



If every business owner and every employer took it upon themselves to dedicate a "pittance of time" for every tragedy they experienced in their lives, we wouldnt have anytime left in the day to get anything done!



Sorry if this offends anyone, but I was offended by this. My time on this earth is too valuable to just have it taken by anyone who pleases for any reason, I think thats why I hate telemarketers so much. They too have an "important message" that you should hear, when they are good and ready to give it. How obtrusive!

 

[2]

robc, Nov 11, at 11:00 every year we have a minute or two of silence in Canada. It isn't a random thing, it is once a year at the same time and date every year. (Nov 11 is Remberance day in Canada)

 

[Kevin Palmer]

robc, that is what makes this country great. You are allowed to express your thoughts and should get no hassles as a result of your expression.



Me, I think the other way. I am part of the been there done that crowd. 23 years in the Military. Some of the very best times of my life, some of the very worst times of my life. I have been involved in very traumatic events where my comrads / friends did not make it. Never left them behind though, always brought them home.



Events happen to this day, certain songs, certain dates, certain smells that instantly remind me of those times where I had to carry a comrad home.



It is because of my comrads / friends that you are able to express your thoughts. If you have not been part of those events I cannot blame you or hold it against you to not feel the same as I do. My way does not make it the right way for all. It makes it right for me.



I can tell you this, for as long as I am alive, I will always be able to afford two minutes of my time. It could have just as easily been me coming home in the body bag.....

 

[Jay Sisson]

So, I was at my mothers grave the other day and saying a prayer. Remembering the good times we had when I was growing up, but all of a sudden there is gunfire! That's right, GUNFIRE. I am trying to pray and all I hear is guns. I almost jumped out of my boots. And then this annoying bugle started playing. I can't even have piece and quiet in a cemetery trying to console myself with my loss of my mother. And the cemetery was packed. I had to park a half a mile away. Can't these guys in their uniforms park further away. They should be used to walking long distances by now.



That is all fiction. My mom is well. But I was at a military funeral two weeks ago.



I am still proud to serve so you can post your freedom of speech Mr. robc.



I think we as Americans should adopt our northern brothers "Pittance of Time" to honor theirs as well as ours.



Good nite, stay safe,

nogoa

 

[Robert Cuenca]

Olaf, thank you for pointing that out to me I had no idea, its an awesome site when members can try for a second to not bash an unpopular opinion, especially after finding out, as was done here, that the opinion was based on a false assumption.



Coastie and others on this board that have served, thank you!



As I mentioned in my post, there is a time and place for such observances and everyone that appreciates the freedoms they enjoy in their particular country should respect those. My comments are directed at any observance that is not planned or coordinated.

 

[Deleted deleted]

Gerry, thank you for sharing that. In the USA, we all show respect while the National Anthem is being played at sporting events, so why not show respect for fallen comrades on a special day?



Shopping is more important? Think about what you just said.

 

[Thomas Rogers]

My take on this is that it wasn't a random event but a national time of observance, and if the guy in the video/story was really annoyed that the pharmacy was wasting his time, he should have talked with his feet instead of piss all over that national time of rememberance in some crude attempt to prove that he and his time are more important than the observance.



Sadly, for some people, it's all about THEM, and when they don't get THEIR way they show their ASS. (sorry about the language).



Maybe he was having a bad day, but I suspect instead he was one of the 2%'ers (the underwhelming minority) that just doesn't believe in such observances and things like that and used this time to make his stand.



Sure, in a free country he has that right; and I have the right to think of him as and call him a selfish ass.



TJR

 

[Chris Taylor]

Seems to me since it IS a national time for observance, it should be observed. It's not a random act, and it isn't done all the time. I can afford 2 minutes...

 

[G M 2]

Q

Patient...you patient, you gotta be kidding. I have shared that video and song with friends, colleagues and strangers all over the world. In every type of occupation you can possibly imagine. I have shared it with prisoners in our Federal prison system. You are the absolute first "vet" that has ever found the remotest inconveinence to paying 2 minutes a year at the 11th hour of the 11th month of rememberance to all those that have served. Good God man, your a veteran. You served your country, or claim to at least. Would it surprise you that in most (not all) of Canada stores are not permitted by law to open prior to these observances or that bars are not permitted to serve alcohol, even the Legions. In most of Canada.

I have always been and will remain a great admirier of the U.S., for many reasons but one the the biggest reasons is the "love of country" that abounds there. From the very poor to the very rich your citizens love their country and their freedom. Remember please, I'm speaking of the majority here.

Q....Listen to what Terry Kelly is saying in that song, in fact I will make it easy for you. Please just listen and open your heart, assuming you still have one. Your a veteran, or claim to be..



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Remembrance Day or Armistice Day is a day of commemoration observed in the Commonwealth of Nations including Canada, Australia and various European countries (including France and Belgium) to commemorate World War I and other wars. It is observed on November 11 to recall the end of World War I on that date in 1918. Remembrance Day is specifically dedicated to members of the armed forces who were killed during war, and was created by King George V of the United Kingdom on November 7, 1919 upon the suggestion of Edward George Honey.



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They fought and some died for their homeland.

They fought and some died, now it's our land.

Look at his little child; there's no fear in her eyes.

Could he not show respect for other dads who have died?



Take two minutes, would you mind?

It's a pittance of time,

For the boys and the girls who went over.

In peace may they rest, may we never

forget why they died.

It's a pittance of time.



God forgive me for wanting to strike him.

Give me strength so as not to be like him.

My heart pounds in my breast, fingers pressed to my lips,

My throat wants to bawl out, my tongue barely resists.



But two minutes I will bide.

It's a pittance of time,

For the boys and the girls who went over.

In peace may they rest.

May we never forget why they died.

It's a pittance of time.



Read the letters and poems of the heroes at home.

They have casualties, battles, and fears of their own.

There's a price to be paid if you go, if you stay.

Freedom's fought for and won in numerous ways.



Take two minutes, would you mind?

It's a pittance of time,

For the boys and the girls all over.

May we never forget, our young become vets.

At the end of the line,

It's a pittance of time.



It takes courage to fight in your own war.

It takes courage to fight someone else's war.

Our peacekeepers tell of their own living hell.

They bring hope to foreign lands that hate mongers can't kill.



Take two minutes, would you mind?

It's a pittance of time,

For the boys and the girls who go over.

In peacetime our best still don battle dress

And lay their lives on the line.

It's a pittance of time



In peace may they rest,

Lest we forget why they died.

Take a pittance of time.

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[Robert Cuenca]

Just to clarify the issue that was raised Gerry, since it wasnt clarified in your original post, was whether this was imposed for no reason with no notice (not counting the five minute announcement) or was it a tradition that was expected and wildly known.



For example, at all sporting events here, the national athem is played. It is to be expected and no one would be offended at that.



Apparantly your story is another example of a tradition that is expected, plus was announced as a reminder. I agree that anyone who doesnt want to observe should take those five minutes to leave the store.



But with regards to creating a memorial of respect whenever we want, that can get senseless. If you dont agree with the point, then I propose an "every other sentence" initiative where every sentence you type must be followed by a sentence of thanks to our servicemen.



Obviously, it would be pointless.

 

[Jenn D]

Regardless of my views, I have one thing to ask/say. Q - you say you do not need a silly ribbon for rememberance. Well, don't all servicemen and women earn 'ribbons' (bars) to remember where they've been and how they have served their country? I might be wrong (honestly - someone please eloborate on bars). I also know that letters to servicemen are a big deal. Even to the commanding officers. My brother is a Marine. He wrote to us every day every day in boot camp (PI) because as he told us "he had to". They required him to. They encouraged him to receive letters to boost his morale. I do not even pretend to know everything about serving this country and being in ANY branch of the service, but I do know a lot about human nature. And it is human nature to feel emotions. Morale is a VERY big thing. All the things that you speak of that you "don't need" are the things that bring the most morale to many of these guys and gals.



You seem like the type of person who is very "this-is-my-space and I don't want anyone in it", which is fine and you will live a hopefully long and happy life. But, if you open your space up a little bit, you might discover that it really is special to feel for people and their feelings too. It really does feel good. Take a deep breathe and think about what you would do if you were face-to-face with the wife of a serviceman who didn't make it home and she tried to hand you a ribbon, or ask for a prayer. Would you say "I'm sorry for your loss, but I served my time to pay your deceased husband back for his life" or would you feel some emotion for this woman, hug her like your mother and place that ribbon on your shirt to show you care (even if you take it off when you're out of sight)?



I'm not looking for a fight. I'm looking to understand (not that it's even my business). I think with all of these tifts lately we all need to sit back and just relax.

 

[Jay Sisson]

How many people actually caught that Canada's "Pittance of Time" is november 11th at 1100. It is also known as 'Armistice Day', or in America 'Veterans' Day'.



Q - You should have watched the movie before posting instead of jumping to conclusions.



If I was in a store and the manager wanted to do this "at anytime", it is his/her store and I would follow. if I didn't believe in what the manager wanted, I would leave.

 

[Jenn D]

I never address your support, Q. Please reread my post and quote me. I may have accidentally said something that could be misconstrued.



However, my entire statement to you involved simply one section of your above post.

Being a vet myself, I have honored them BY DOING SERVICE TO MY COUNTRY, for one thing, in return for all others' service. That's how I "honor vets". I don't need a silly ribbon, I don't need to send a guy a letter. I honored them by returning the favor.

Quite honorable, yes, but you seem to be hardened by an ideal that you don't need emotion, which as I mentioned above is okay and is by no means required to live a long and happy life. However, it's difficult for many people to understand that way of thinking, and you will most likely always fall in the minority. Why? Because this country is driven by emotion. A story on the news about a family of ducks that were saved from a storm drain will get alot more attention than a man serving his country in return for other's service. Why do you think this whole "Pittance of Time" thing got so much popularity? Because of the emotion. You have shown that you, as well as others with you, don't care for it. No problem. I'm just trying to understand you, and again it's probably none of my business to understand you. But I will be honest that as of late, it has grown increasingly more difficult for me to read a post that you've contributed to (not only because of you, but because of everyone's attacks). The sad part is that the fighting has hijacked some decent threads.



I think it would help me, and others, to understand why you are the way you are. You have your beliefs and seem to care less about other people's emotions to get your "my-world-stay-out-of-it" point across.



Out of more curiousity, how long were you in the Marines?

 

[Mark Grumpy]

JennD,

you are correct - we do earn ribbons/decorations that can indicate campaigns/places we have been.



I don't want to speak for Q, but I think he was speaking of the magnetic and pin ribbons and such that we adorn our vehicles and clothes with - God Bless our Troops - Cancer Awareness and that kind of ribbon.



And yes, the letters/cookies to "Any Service Member" are a good deal. I have received and appreciated many. Even wrote back to a group of 2nd graders when I was in Pakistan.



This being Canada ( in this subject that is) , Remebrance day, as it is in England, is on the same level as the respect we pay to The Stars and Stripes at public events. Even if not your thing, a little respect for everyone else goes a long, long way. I expect that may open another bucket of worms.



grump

 

[Bill V]

1) Neither the original poster nor the linked website explained at all that this is a national tradition in Canada, rather than one store's randomly announced policy. So everyone who finds it so easy to criticize others who didn't know that at the time they responded, get a grip and back off.



2) No where in any post or on the linked site does it ever mention when the guy who didn't give the two minutes had entered the store, or what his particular situation in life was at the time. The announcement was made at 10:55. Who's to say that this guy didn't first enter the store at 10:57, and thus miss the announcement, and had either forgotten about the two minutes, or had simply lost track of time and didn't realize it was 11:00, or was American (or some other country) and didn't even know about it? Is there a good chance that he's just a self-centered @$$hole? Yes, absolutely. But is that definitely the case? How are we to know? On this subject and everywhere else in this world these days, people are so ready to jump to conclusions, without knowing the complete facts. Heck, for all we know, the events never even happened--they could have just been a story that Terry Kelly fabricated to make his song seem more pertinent.



3) Does anyone else see the irony in the fact that according to the singer, we need to spend 2 minutes honoring our veterans--but he wants us to spend nearly three times as much (5:15) listening to him? Should this be interpretted as him thinking that he's three times as important as the vets? Maybe if he'd have cut his song to 3:15, we'd have 2 minutes left in our day to honor the vets. (I'm completely kidding on this last one! No flames--just lighten up and chuckle a bit!)



4) The posters who have commented about how some of these remembrances get out of hand are correct. (I'm not necessarily saying this one is out of hand--but I can understand those that do.) We're supposed to have a pittance of time for the vets, a day for celebrating the earth (Earth Day), a day for celebrating trees (Arbor Day), a month each for celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness, Black History, and the dairy industry, and these are just some of the more well known ones. And on any of them, if you choose not to celebrate it, the proponents of their pet events rip into you--despite the fact that if we added up all the events out there, we'd likely need about 50 years of time within each calendar year to do them all. When 9/11/02 (one year anniversary) was coming up, my aunt was working in a hospital ER. That morning, there were two car accidents with victims brought to her hospital, that they were trying desperately to keep alive. That year, at the moment the first plane hit, people were supposed to give a moment of silence. (It may have even been more than that, I don't remember--was it 9 minutes and 11 seconds?) Needless to say, the doctors and nurses worked right through that period, trying to save these lives. Another patient in the waiting room with a minor injury came in and started chewing them out (until security stepped in), as she said she knew someone who had died in the attack, and that by not giving the moment of silence, the ER staff was disrespecting those who had died. People become so blinded by their zealotry to their cause (in this case, honoring 9/11 victims), that they fail to realize that there are others out there who have causes that conflict with theirs and supercede theirs (in this case, saving lives).

 

[Thomas Rogers]

BillV, I agree with you for the most part except for your first point. If someone is going to make a negative or contrary comment to a thread, then they owe it to themselves to do so in a fully-cocked, not half-cocked fashion. To NOT understand the basis for the reason for the song and what the magnitude of the observance in question was, yet commenting negatively about them would be going off "half-cocked", IMHO.



I for one watched the video and went to the home page, and read up on Nov 11 to get the background on this before commenting.



And, the video makes it pretty clear that the guy was making a jerk of himself, not simply trying to get the attention of the store owner because he missed the announcement of the observation. And, since supposedly the author of the song based this on an incident that he witnessed, I take it from the song and the video this wasn't some simple mistake or a missed communication.



People seem to be REALLY quick to denounce others and put a negative commentary on a thread here without first being able to understand the basis of what is being discussed, or why it is being discussed (the examples of that are MANY lately).



No, I am not saying we shouldn't be able to disagree. It's just many folks here seem to can't WAIT to disagree.



TJR