Career and Job Search Help Blog

Remembrance Day Song, written by Bryan Adams, performed by soldiers' wives (from CBC)

As always we need to remember both veterans of the past, present and future. On November 11 we celebrate Remembrance Day in Canada and other Commonwealth countries, although currently Remembrance Day is celebrated in non-commonwealth countries as well, e.g., in the United States they call November 11 Veterans Day. We had a moment of silence at 11am in North York Central Library's Business Department. I stood at the reference desk and looked around as other studious patrons (job seekers, students, our devoted daily newspaper readers etc.) either stood up or stopped what they were doing for two minutes.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I start think of all the lives lost in the past world wars and  current wars for the price of our freedom. Many people know of an uncle, grandfather, father, brother etc. who was directly impacted by the world wars of the past. You may even know someone who is now serving in the military, I know I do. I think it is very easy to forget that we still have wars going on and a lot of Canadian soldiers are still going out there risking their lives for our freedom, safety and security.

This morning after having our 2 minutes of silence, my colleague mentioned that Bryan Adams made a song called Ric-A-Dam-Doo to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Princess Patricia's Light Infantry in 2014, you can listen to the lovely song in the video above. To summarize briefly, in August 1914 a batallion was created for overseas service. Princess Patricia was the daughter of the Governor General and lended her name to the group. The infantry became one of Canada's most well known regiments and next year there will be many other events to commemorate the event. 

Unfortunately, veterans often return home and find it very difficult to reintegrate back into society due to mental and/or physical difficulties and one major setback they face is finding employment. Of course, the library has some books about Veteran Employment, here's a peek:

For some good Canadian information, I've provided some resources (you can find more information on the Canadian Forces Website:

Commissionaires - a private not for profit Canadian Company comprised of primarily past  Forces or RCMP workers. Their services are primarily; security, investigative and non-core police services. 

Helmets to Hardhats (H2H) - a partnership between the Canadian  Building Trades Union, employers across Canada and Government stakeholders. This provides apprenticeship opportunites to receive Journeyman qualification  for certain trades as well as management opportunites in the trade industries

Canadian Franchise Association - the association is working with Canadian Armed Forces, to create opportunites for past veterans to open up franchises. For more info visit the website. 

 I'll leave you with one of my favourite poems, I remember reading this on our school's PA system in grade 3 for Remembrance Day:

In Flander's Fields 

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.

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.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.