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Canadian Military Collectors Forum

Comprehensive Forum of Canadian Armed Forces History & Militaria


4 posters

    You Could Have Heard A Pin Drop

    qsamike
    qsamike
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    Location : Calgary, Alberta, Canada

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    Post by qsamike Fri Nov 09, 2012 6:42 am

    In France , at a fairly large conference, Prime Minister Steven Harper
    was asked by a French cabinet minister if Canadian involvement in
    Afghanistan was just an example of "empire building".

    Mr Harper answered by saying, 'Over the years, Canada has sent many of
    its fine young men and women into great peril to fight for freedom
    beyond our borders. The only amount of land we have ever asked for in
    return is enough to bury those that did not return.'

    You could have heard a pin drop.



    A Canadian Admiral was attending a naval conference that included
    Admirals from the Canadian, US, English, Australian and French Navies.
    At a cocktail reception, he found himself standing with a large group of
    officers that included personnel from most of those countries. Everyone
    was chatting away in English as they sipped their drinks but a French
    Admiral suddenly complained that, whereas Europeans learn many
    languages, North Americans generally learn only English. He then asked,
    'Why is it that we always have to speak English in these conferences
    rather than speaking French?'

    Without hesitating, the Canadian Admiral replied 'Maybe it's because the
    Brits, Canadians, Aussies and Americans arranged it so you wouldn't have
    to speak German.'

    You could have heard a pin drop.

    When Robert Whiting, an elderly Canadian gentleman of 83, arrived in
    Paris by plane he took a few minutes to locate his passport in his carry
    on at French Customs.

    'You have been to France before, monsieur?' the customs officer asked
    sarcastically.

    Mr. Whiting admitted that he had been to France previously.

    The official replied, 'Then you should know enough to have your passport
    ready.'

    The Canadian said, 'The last time I was here, I didn't have to show it.'


    'Impossible, Monseur. Canadians always have to show passports on arrival
    in France!'

    The Canadian senior gave the Frenchman a long hard look. Then he quietly
    explained, 'Well, when I came ashore on D-Day in 1944 to help liberate
    this country, I couldn't find a single Frenchmen to show a passport to.'


    You could have heard a pin drop
    .
    mk1rceme
    mk1rceme
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    Post by mk1rceme Fri Nov 09, 2012 1:09 pm

    Awesome!


    _________________
    Dale
    Admin-CMCF
    ledfut
    ledfut
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    Location : Manitoba, Canada

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    Post by ledfut Fri Nov 09, 2012 2:15 pm

    I had the privilege of visiting the Normandy and Vimy regions of France this past summer as part of the Juno Beach Centre's 2012 Educator's Tour. I can assure you - based on first-hand experience- that the French people are VERY appreciative of the contributions and sacrifices made by Canadian soldiers in both World Wars. Evidence of this was everywhere! I have to say that I consider the posted text somewhat offensive in that it would seem to unfairly imply that the French are ungrateful. This is simply untrue and we should not be perpetuating this notion. We should all be proud of the contributions of our Canadian soldiers around the world, but we certainly don't need to be derogatory toward the French people in order to feel better about ourselves.

    Just my 2 cents.

    PS - variations of this post have been circulating on the Internet for years. The original version included US politicians and figures rather than Canadian ones. The quote attributed to P.M. Harper is a myth. How does it benefit us to perpetuate this?
    qsamike
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    Post by qsamike Fri Nov 09, 2012 3:07 pm

    Sorry to Offend but I have never seen this before......

    Am leaving for England, Holand and France in a few days.......

    Mike
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    leprechaun
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    Location : Ontario

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    Post by leprechaun Fri Nov 09, 2012 4:09 pm

    true or not I enjoyed that!

    Mike, have a great trip!

    Thanks for sharing,

    Matt
    ledfut
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    Post by ledfut Fri Nov 09, 2012 4:25 pm

    qsamike wrote:Sorry to Offend but I have never seen this before......

    Am leaving for England, Holand and France in a few days.......

    Mike

    No problem. Nothing personal - just felt I should stand up for the French people after how gracious and hospitable they were to us on our visit. I wish you all the best on your trip - I hope you are made to feel as welcome as we were!

    Cheers!

    Craig

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