Its only one minute

11/11/2011 is remembrance day in Australia and many other countries. Its a time to reflect and remember sacrifices made and still being made. A day we give thanks to those still serving.

I have seen some people complain because they are about to be bombarded with red poppys on their walls and pages. I wonder if they realize  when they say that they may of  really hurt a retired soldier  that lost many mates or a widow that never got to say goodbye. Have they thought about  the many wives and husbands reading what they have just written, that wish their spouses were coming home tonight so they could complain about them leaving their dirty socks on the floor. What about the kids that never got to share their birthday with their mum or their dad.
I had both sides grandparents fight in ww2. I have had a cousin in Somalia. Living in a naval  base city I have had friends in the gulf not to mention other parts of the world. All of them came back for which I am grateful but each of them left a piece of themselves out there. They each saw things we couldnt even begin to  imagine. So for me tomorrow is one of 2 days in the year I think of each of them and give thanks to everything they have given and thanks to the powers that be that each of them came back. 
Where ever you are or what ever your beliefs about whats going on around the world at the moment, please take a moment to remember. Whether your in the shops or at work, please stop at 11am and take a minute out of your time to give your thanks. Please take the time to teach your kids and grand kids that for one minute  its time to think not speak. 

I think we owe our men and women that much dont you. after all its only one minute of our day. Couldnt we all  do with taking a minute out of our day to  just stop anyway!