Happy Canada Day

Hope you had a great day! Do Canadians have special traditions on your national day? I always find other cultures so interesting! :)

Judy, SA

Usually various communities put on fairs that end with fireworks. (Pancake breakfasts etc) Sadly in Canada there is not the pride in country as the US has.

There was a car accident in town, a light pole went over. On the pole was a flag, a Canadian flag. The accident was not serious, no hospital visits etc. Car totaled, pole totaled.

Not one person thought *maybe* they should pick the Canadian flag up out of the mud! The next day I drove by and was shocked to see it laying there in the mud at the side of the road still attached to the pole. I had kids screaming *hurry, first dibs on the bathroom* so I took them home, came back a few hours later (some 30 hours after the accident) and pulled up to see AMERICAN TOURISTS unhooking it, they took it to the visitors center as the town office was closed. I could have died. Can you imagine, tourists from the states have more respect for our flag than we do!?!?!?!?

Sad. And to think our grandfathers fought so darn hard for our freedom.

Jamie

I was stunned by your email. I have only lived here 3 years but have been amazed at how patriotic and proud of their flag Canadians are. I was quite emotional yesterday at the 'returning of the original flag' from Belgium. I find Canadians to be VERY patriotica and proud peoples. Here in Edmonton - and especially here in Sherwood Park, the festivities for Canada Day - and the holiday weekend are HUGE - with parades, fireworks, parties, bbq's - all the cars are decorated with flags - most gardens and homes are decorated with the maple leaf - most people wear the wash off tattoos with the flag on. Most people I saw yesterday were dressed in red and white. We had a red and white cake to celebrate. In fact the whole day was spent in celebration of this incredible country. The fireworks were wonderful. We spent the evening in one of the national parks and the day was spent at the festivities locally. The festivities here are lasting all weekend with backyard bbq's and various organzied events in the community.

I have spent several July 4ths in NYC and see little difference in the patriotism of the US and of Canada. Coming from the UK where it is often seen as offensive to others to display your own flag (ggggrrrrrr) I LOVE North America where both nations are sooooooo very proud of their country and their flag. I have never met a Canadian who wasn't proud of their flag in the same way those south of the border are. I am sorry you witnessed such a situation yesterday, but I do feel that is a very VERY rare situation - one I certainly have never experienced. It could have happened anywhere - north or south of the border.

Bws Jane

"The Simmons Family" wrote in message news:z1zxe.111475$tt5.67919@edtnps90...

Gone are the days of singing "Oh Canada" before school starts, when I was younger we did that every morning, then my older kids sang it only at weekly assembly, now the younger ones sing it only at *special* assemblies. I know schools are busy, but the 3 minutes it would take to sing it each morning might be a good thing to bring back.

I think the flag lay there because the kids aren't taught in school/home to respect it. We used to *get* to take turns raising the flag at school each morning, careful not to let it touch the ground etc. Now, it stays up *too much work taking it down each day*. I for one LOVED the once or twice a year it was my turn to help raise it. Very exciting indeed, we were given a little talk about how to do it, what not to do and it was quite the ceremony for an elementary aged child.

Ask any teenager when confederation took place. You'll be saddened by the response.

I am gonna go do a *Canada* layout right now! Just got home from camping, and will ignore the laundry....wrangler the kids and go play with the crafts.

Cheers Jamie

I guess I am just fortunate to live where I live then - the schools here sing Oh canada EVERY morning and are most definitely raised to respect and appreciate the beautiful flag that flies in front of their school. I personally haven't experienced a lack of respect for the flag, country or its history - I amazed with the knowledge my Sons have of the Canadian history already.

What a shame your experiences have been so different - I can assure you though that it isn't the same everywhere - we are just a short distance from you here yet I am surrounded by a wonderful patriotism!

Where do you live? I don't think our kids have sung the anthem before class starts in something like 25 years, maybe longer. About the only time they sing it is before an assembly. And even then I think theyspend more time whispering to their friends than they do singing the anthem.

The best time hearing the national anthem being sung (sent goosebumps up my arms) was during last years hockey playoffs. When Calgary had home ice, the fans sang the song loud and strong. It made me very proud not just to be from Calgary, but to be Canadian too.

My DD is in Girl Scouts and my DS is a Cub Scout. Flag ceremonies are a regular part of their weekly meetings. They both know the proper way to fold a flag and how to perform opening and closing flag ceremonies. When my middle DD was still in scouts her troop was asked on a regular basis to do flag ceremonies at local functions. The girls were in high school and hated to wear uniforms, but when they did flag ceremonies it didn't seem to bother them. They always said yes when asked. That's one thing I really like about scouts. The program fosters a sense of national pride through several of their badges and projects. I wish the schools did more. Sandy

I'm in Sherwood Park and yes my children sing the anthem EVERY morning before school starts. It was one of the things I loved when we first moved here - my Daughter sings it beautifully! She passed her audition for the Honour Choir by singing Oh Canada :)

Its a fabulous school all round. We're very lucky. I know most of my friends children in Edmonton sing the National Anthem daily too - I assumed it was the same throughout Canada - what a great shame some schools choose not to. I feel very lucky to live where I live :)

Bws Jane

My dd's school has the Anthem piped in over the intercom to each room and wherever you are kids stand at attention and sing with pride and smiles on there faces. It's a wonderful way to start the day! Barb:o)

At our neighborhood school they sing O Canada every morning as well and at the start of assemblies. My DD was in Kindergarten this year. She came home and taught her younger sister, who loves to sing, the anthem. Even in the summer I hear them singing it. Sometimes one will start then stop and remind the other to stand tall while we sing O Canada. I think it is great that they are learning respect in this manner.

Happy Belated Canada Day!!!