Veterans Week 2022 – Video geared towards children in kindergarten to grade 2
Video / October 21, 2022
Transcript
Maj Lawrence
Hi everyone!
I’m Major Jill, and I’m a member in the Canadian Armed Forces—the military.
I’m here today with my friends the CAF puppets. They’re in the military too. They’re going to help me tell you what it means to wear our uniforms, and how we’re there for people when they need it.
Pilot Dan
Hey kids!
Pilot Dan here, reporting for duty.
Sometimes, when there are big snowstorms, forest fires, or when it rains too much and it causes floods, we help Canadians.
We check on people to make sure they’re okay.
We deliver food when they can’t get to grocery stores.
And sometimes, when the bad weather means they need to leave their houses, we help get them somewhere safe.
Isn’t that right, Anne?
Private Anne
That’s right Dan!
And over the past two years, as people have been dealing with the COVID-19 virus, we’ve been there to help as well.
But we don’t just help Canadians.
Sometimes, our friends in other countries need help too. So we go to their countries to work with them, to help keep them safe. We learn a lot when we work together!
And sometimes, when people are putting our friends in danger, or hurting them, we have to fight in wars.
Wars can be scary and dangerous, so people have to be very brave to sign up and to help.
Pilot Dan
When somebody wears a uniform, like we’re wearing right now, it means that they’ve joined the military to help other people, even if they might get hurt.
And when they were in the military, but aren’t anymore, we call them veterans.
Every year in November, we celebrate Veteran’s Week. It’s a time to think about everything they did, and share stories.
Maybe you’ve seen people around you wearing poppies? The poppy is a symbol that we’re thinking about our veterans and that we’re thankful for everything they’ve done.
Private Anne
Our great-grandparents fought in a big war, called the First World War, more than one hundred years ago.
And, 25 years ago—a lot closer to today—our parents helped keep Canadians safe after a huge storm, Ice Storm ’98.
We’d like to tell you some stories about the things they did, so you can learn about what it means to be a brave member of Canadian Armed Forces member, and how special our veterans are.
Maj Lawrence
And our friend Squeaker, the carrier pigeon, is going to help us out too.
So let’s go back in time to 1917 and half way across the world, in France.
Anne
Who are you writing a letter to, Dan?
Dan
I’m writing a letter to my parents back home in Canada. I want to tell them about the battle I was just in, and let them know I’m a bit hurt, but I’ll be okay.
I want to make sure everything I say sounds good. Can I read it to you?
Anne
Of course! I want to learn more about the battle too!
…Wait…what is a battle?
Dan
A battle is the part of war when people fight. It can be a few days or even years. It’s difficult and scary for people on both sides. Lots of people can get hurt or even die.
This battle was at a place called Vimy Ridge. The German soldiers we were fighting had taken this piece of land from our friends in France and we helped take it back.
Anne
Ohh ok. That sounds like it’s a really hard thing to go through. I’m happy you’re alright!
I’m sure your parents must be very worried. What did you write in your letter to them?
Dan (Voice Over)
April 13th, 1917.
Dear mom and dad,
I’m writing to you from a hospital bed in France. I got hurt fighting in a big battle at a place called Vimy Ridge, but I’m safe and I’ll be feeling better soon.
Before the battle, we spent most of our time in these big ditches called trenches. Some of them were really long…so long you couldn’t even see where they went!
Even though the trenches were muddy and wet, they protected us from the fighting going on around us. We ate there. We slept there. We played cards to pass the time.
It was difficult to be in the trenches, but were all very nervous when we got the order to come up and fight the German soldiers. They had their own trenches not too far from ours, and they were fighting very hard.
We came out of the trenches in the early morning on April 9th and we didn’t stop fighting for four days. It was hard, scary work. Lots people got badly hurt and a lot of people died. But by the end, we had won. We had taken back Vimy Ridge.
They’re saying this was a big moment in the war, and a big moment for Canadians, since people from all across our country came to helped out. But mostly I just want to come home. I know everyone fighting feels the same way—even the people we’re fighting against. I hope we all get to, soon.
With love,
Dan.
Anne
Wow, Dan. That was really interesting. It sounds like it was really scary for you.
Thank you for sharing your letter with me. If you put it in an envelope I can send it.
Squeaker – can you make sure this gets back to Dan’s parents?
Radio (Voice over)
They’re calling it the storm of the century—an Ice storm across Eastern Canada, and into the United States.
Today is January 5th, 1998. Yesterday, this heavy storm hit. Tens of thousands of Canadians have lost power, and some of them have had to leave their homes. Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick have called a state of emergency and asked for the military to help out. By the end of the week, more than 15,000 people in uniform will be called up to help out their neighbours.
Dan
Hey Anne, all of this shoveling has made me tired!
Anne
Me too, but I’m happy we’re doing something to help all these people.
It feels good to help keep families safe, by making sure they have a warm place to sleep and food to eat.
I know there are lots of other military members helping clear tree branches that have fallen down, cleaning roads, and even helping turn the power back on.
Dan
For sure. And all of this while our own families are dealing with these problems too. It’s hard to be away from them, but I’m happy to know that Canadians all across the country are helping out, however they can.
Journalist
Hi! I couldn’t help but hear you talk about the great work you’re doing helping people get through this storm. Can I take your photo for tomorrow’s paper?
Anne and Dan
Yes, of course!
Journalist
Okay, say cheese!
Pilot Dan
It’s so great that we have these stories to learn from—stories from one hundred years ago, stories from 25 years ago, and even more recently.
And the history of the CAF is still being written by people like us, who are serving now.
Private Anne
These stories are so important. They tell us a lot about who we are as Canadians, and how our parents and grandparents helped keep us and our friends safe. And today, CAF members are still keeping people safe in Canada and all around the world.
Maj Lawrence
Our job isn’t easy. It can be scary and it can be dangerous.
Private Anne
So when you meet a Canadian Armed Forces member or a veteran—tell them thanks for everything they do to keep us safe. During wars, and when danger strikes here at home too.
Pilot Dan
And try to learn about the stories of people in your own lives, so you can share them with your friends too.
Maj. Lawrence
I’m so happy we get to share these stories with great kids like you. Thanks for listening to us today!