It is a phrase being used a lot today. Our country is large, our country is strong and our country is free. However, our country is not immune to threat and our country has been shown that today.
Yes, I know this blog is reserved for Outlander related blurts but you know something, it is also Canadian through and through.
Today,it’s about Canada. Everyone of us Outlandish Canadians are thinking about one another for another reason today and dammit, we want to talk about it. We are walking around with lumps in our throats and tears in our eyes and we want to give one another a hug. So, the Heughliots are here to do just that.
Snuggle in friends
What happened this morning in Canada you ask? A Soldier, Cpl Nathan Cirillo,24 (who was a member of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, stationed out of Hamilton ONT) -was doing his duty, standing guard over our National Memorial – which also is the home of our tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He was shot in the chest and even though first respondents and many others tried to save him, they could not, and he lost his life. This person who killed him, proceeded to go into the Nationals capital parliament building in order to cause more mayhem, where he was then killed by those protecting other Canadians.
Our focus here is not the offender or the why of today. Our focus is with those who we believe deserve the focus.
-Cpl. Nathan Cirillo and all the other men & women who put on their uniforms to “Stand on guard for THEE”.
-Those who came to their aide. To ALL of our aide when called upon and even when NOT called.
-Those who put their badges to their chest this day and everyday, knowing their life may be on the line for ours.
-Those who silently wait to be called when someone is hurt, lost or alone and rarely receive the thank you’s or accolades they should.
Together we stand strong against those who try our singularity. Together we show one another compassion, hope and pride in who we are as a nation.
I have always been proud to be a Canadian. It starts when we are small.
Yes, It is heartbreaking to know that there are people who hate what we are proud of…simply because of the unity it represents. As Canadians though, we won’t stop being who we are. It is ingrained in us. Like Maple Syrup tapping…you can’t just NOT do it anymore.
Just because you take out the tap…doesn’t mean the syrups not there.
Our Military, our Police, First Respondents (Fire, EMS and all those who put on a uniform each day that shows they put others lives before their own) deserve more than an extra thought today.
It is here that we send them our love & deepest gratitude.
(Photo has been removed as it has been now noted it is Cpl Nathan Cirillo prior to his death. This was not my understanding when photo was originally presented to the public.)
When one falls…We all will stand. With one another, with our neighbours to the south and across the ocean.
You get the picture.
CANADA STRONG.
SL
Heughliot @ Large
ABOotlanders w/Sherry 
Reblogged this on fiddlefuddle and commented:
Well said. Put the attention on the heros.
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I’m sorry to say I know exactly how you feel. As a Bostonian, we were just gutted after 4 innocent people were blown up by the marathon bombers, and the police officer that was later killed. Dozens of other lost limbs and were maimed for life. It was devastating. And of course the planes on 9/11 took off from here too. It’s a horrible feeling to feel violated by crazy people who take out their anger on innocent people that have nothing to do with their plight. It’s sad and its enraging. But in the end, they lose, because Americans and Canadians ARE strong and we pull together in times like these. We learn that even on our saddest days, we are better than that, and always will be.
I’m very saddened by the death of Cprl. Cirillo. Such a handsome, admirable young man. My heart goes out to his family.
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The guard on the left in this picture is actually Cpl. Cirillo. Picture taken a few minutes before the shooting.
And thank you. Well said.
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I have been trying to find the original photo credit for this photo. Wondering where the information you have passed along to me is from?
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Thank you as well for the information, it was not the information being circulated this afternoon and I am grateful for you sharing it. I have updated the blog without the photo out of respect for Cpl. Cirillo and his family.
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The above photo is defiantly him I saw it on the CBC earlier tonight
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Im not questioning that, I was asking for the photo credit.
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I’m sorry, I don’t know who took the picture. My husband said he read or heard on the news that it was a group of students who took pictures there just minutes before the shooting. I only saw the picture on twitter (saying it was him) and now with the pictures of Cpl. Cirillo also on twitter, it’s pretty clear.
Just wanted to let you know about it (not that you need to apologise or anything) and thank you for the article. It goes right along with one of the things that impressed me today, how everyone responded in a relatively calm, level-headed manner (especially the news broadcasters), so very unlike the usual dramatic, hype-creating live reporting one normally sees. Makes me happy to call myself Canadian, too, even though my passport is not even a year old 🙂
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Thank you for letting me know Monika. I appreciate it.I do wish that the media had circulated correctly at the start but truthfully information moves so quickly today, I should have double checked & triple checked. So happy to have you a part of our Canadian family.
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Thanks for articulating what we are all feeling. My beloved father was an immigrant from Europe. He and his family farmed in Saskatchewan during the “dirty thirties”. He, and 2 of hs brothers fought in the WW2. He remained in the army until he retired in the late 70’s. I was an “army brat” growing up in various army camps across Canada. My father taught me a fierce love for this country, pride in all it stands for, and gratitude that we are lucky enough to be citizens of this wonderful land.Nothig, and nbody can change that!
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I am glad that the words here have been able to echo many others thoughts. We are all grateful for sacrifice your family has made to this wonderful country Lesley and to the love you continue to show it.
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Weall said..God bless Canada
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Your post brought me to tears. I heartily echo your sentiments having been there when my own part of the world was shaken in 2001 and again in 2012. So proud of those who serve and those who step in even if not in the service of our country. Canada and America can be proud of its responses!
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Oops did not proof my own writing – that should say 2001 and 2013!!
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