As a serving soldier, it has been humbling to see the increased awareness of Remembrance Day that has been displayed across the country over the past several years; unfortunately, this increased consciousness is proportional to our large number of recent war dead. While most Canadians embrace this hour of national mourning, I was gobsmacked to see the Halifax MMHL schedule games in conflict with this most sacred hour. I understand that prime weekend ice time is lucrative, but one would hope that the MMHL could have surrendered a couple of hours of ice rental in order to allow kids and their families the opportunity to pay their respects. The most recent KIA from Nova Scotia was a navy clearance diver, bomb technician and dedicated HRM minor hockey coach. He was killed by an IED in Afghanistan in May, 2010—I wonder how he’d react to the current values and priorities of MMHL? —Pissed-off Hockey Dad & Afghan Veteran
This article appears in Nov 8-14, 2012.
he would proboly be more concerned with kids enjoying their lives with happiness, which is what he died to protect.
I agree in principle Brandon, but what I think OB is driving at is that hockey schedules are usually made up well in advance of a season and 11 November should’ve been taken into account. It’s one day. It wouldn’t have hurt them to postpone their game or even delay it by an hour to 12:00 at a minimum, as a sign of respect and remembrance of why it is they CAN enjoy their lives with relative peace and happiness. This is something that we should never forget and a hockey game shouldn’t get in the way of that, either. Just my opinion.
Was there still a moment of silence that was respected during gameplay? If there wasn’t, then I agree. Mr. Wilcox did make a good point, only if the moment of silence was respected.
remembrence day seems to have lost all meaning over the years. from the time it was first strted back in 1931, to now. most people just want an excuse to goof off. they do not really know how much it cost in life and limb, to have this day.
i have always been of the opinion, that even the other days off, for holidays, are becoming more jaded every year. this stupid being politically correct theme is just about the last straw. i will call christmas just that. if it somehow offends you, too fucking bad, go somewhere else and complain about how some other country celebrates their holidays, and see how long before you get linched, tarred and feathered or worst. remember those that gave their all, so that you could live in a safe country.
after all, we could be goose stepping now.
I dunno man, I respect your opinion and you have a right to feel how you wanna feel but they probably play on other holidays too, if there are enough people willing to pay to come to the rink I can’t blame them for accommodating that. Lots of businesses stay open Nov 11, what makes them any different?
Free.
You’re absolutely right. It IS a free country. You ARE free to vent and you ARE free to do what you want. (I wonder why that is?)
It wouldn’t hurt the players or the fans to delay the game for at least an hour to reflect on that and as a sign of respect for those who fought to help preserve that freedom. Just my opinion.
As for the businesses:
http://www.gov.ns.ca/lae/employmentrights/…
Although the hockey game isn’t a business, hopefully they at least observed 3 minutes of silence as an absolute minimum.