"Eyes Right!" Little Belgian Boy Saluting Canadian Troops

Honor the warrior, not the war.


http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=622_1236062375


"Eyes Right!" Little Belgian Boy Saluting Canadian Troops

"Eyes Right!"

The "Eyes Right" command is the biggest complement troops on parade
can pay and is reserved for dignitaries in reviewing stands.
A lone young Belgian boy is waiting to salute the Canadian troops passing
by who had been attending a memorial service.

Such class from the Canadian troops - watch what they do for this little boy...

Every now and then something just makes you smile! Be proud of our soldiers.

pure class...on both parts!

sP

Thanks for this OP, much appreciated by this Canadian!

Recommended.

Troops were instrumental in the liberation of Belgium and Holland in WW2. The people there have not forgotten that, and I am glad to see that this love has been passed on to younger generations. To give the highest compliment, one reserved for dignitaries, to that young boy was saying, "No son, YOU are the most important person here, we just made it possible for you to stand there, free, today, and for that WE are grateful that we accomplished our mission" Awesome, and the Sergent or whoever was leading the column, did not hesitate to give the "Eyes Right" order!

for and by the boy. And tears for times past when honor was a meaningful word.

thanks for posting

He'd mention Italy now and then, usually in a fairly light way, but didn't say a word about the Netherlands from the day he came home to the day he died. Given that that part of Europe saw some of the nastiest fighting of the Western Front, and knowing how bad Italy was on its own, I'm not sure I want to think too hard about some of what he must have seen.

Mr. Mowat gave probably the most descriptive journal on WW2 Combat that I have ever read. He was there in the Italian campaign, and wrote about it. Paul Watson of the Sea Shepherds society named a ship after him in honor of him, which was confiscated by the Canadian government after the Sea Shepherds filmed the seal slaughter in international waters. Some way of honoring your soldiers and world class Authors eh? The description of what war does was summed up by his noticing at the end of the book that there were no birds around to sing.

I'll look for And No Birds Sang; I need to read more of his stuff, I think.

Tells of the actual organized genocide of the northern Indians and Eskimos by hiring people to kill off the Caribou to starve the people into submission.

A great little book

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Italys-Sorrow-Year-War-1944-45/dp/0007176457

Italy's Sorrow: A Year of War 1944-1945.

:patriot:

but so worth it! :cry: :patriot:

Means the world to the soldier.

I'm going to watch again.

Tremendously feared by the germans

:patriot:

RIP

and I'm neither military nor Canadian. That was pure class on both sides.

give blanket "pride" for our troops or any others. Judging by about 3/4 of the reports of their activities, I don't see how anyone could or should.

Sid

Somebody always comes along to piss on the campfire.

:eyes:

who was also a Jewish baby during WWII in England, I'm really grateful to the brave men of the RAF who, ya know, saved me from ending up as ashes in a Nazi oven.

...and I might be right there with ya.

But this thread ain't it, man.

Class up.

Grow-up. Nothing in this world is black and white.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

The pic is priceless. Is that your son?

I thought it'd make a good "picture is worth a 1000 words" reply helper (like I just did) so I saved it to use that way (like the many "Fail" photos).

:evilgrin:

I take infinitely more pride in having worn the uniform of the US Army than I ever will in having to associate here with invertebrate cowards like you.
John
My grandfather G served with Canada's Princess Patricia's Light Infantry before Pearl Harbor and almost four more years with the Americans after it. My father-in-law, Captain John GW Finke, earned a Distinguished Service Cross, two Silver Stars and FOUR Purple Hearts for his actions in World War II -- and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Both were men of honor and courage and decency -- everything you are not.
Here's Arlington's write-up on Captain Finke. There's probably too many words for you to stumble through, so just scroll down to the end, take a look at the picture and contemplate why Zeus sends us barely enough men like him and far too many jerks like you.
Oh, and peace!
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/jgwfinke.htm

A great-grandpa from Saskatchewan who served with the Americans and a grandfather from Kentucky who served with the Canadians. And then there's you, Sarge -- the only woman I know who retired from the military. I'm immensely proud of all of you.
John
Then there's me, the family's Beetle Bailey, but what the hell do you want?

Jeez, we're talking seven generations now from Frederick H, Union Army to Betsy's boy, AF.

I suspect we have an ancestor who lurked behind an ash tree in the Teutoburg Forest watching Varus send his legions into the trap. Remembering what Sarge said, "Listen up, get it right this time. Pillage, then burn."

I bet your fun at parties.

This was a peace time event showing mutual respect in a time when war should be remembered only for the peace and quiet that such a useless and painful activity brings to the human race when insanity forces us to make a stand. My God! The kid felt a need to stand and thank some guys for freeing his country some 64 years ago! If you couldn't see the small miracle that happened in that clip, then please... don't comment on such things. We all know that war ain't fun, ain't nice and sure isn't pleasant, but until we find a better way to solve things, it'll happen, and it'll be ugly. If you can convince the world to change, then I'll salute you. Until then, quit pissin in our corn flakes! (Killjoy... sheesh!)

There's always one.

:kick:

I've noticed, since semi-half moving back, how different it is to live and breathe north of the 49th parallel. Like having a weight lifted.

Thanks for posting that. If only all those in uniform could just go home already.

That video warmed my heart and gave me chill bumps.


Ann Arbor

(As in Michigan)

And I am crying.

Cheers to the Canucks and to their classy sargent. I miss my birthplace.

Eyes Right!

Thanks. :toast: :patriot:

Julie

That was a great moment. Kudos to the kid and the Canadians.

A little boy is dressed up like a soldier and some soldiers walk by? :shrug: WTF?

It's cute because they're Canadian?

Scan the part about "Eyes Right."

Kid dressed up as GI Joe, and so the soldiers turned their heads and looked at him? Whoop de doo, what a fucking honor! I guess I just can't comprehend the overwhelming honor of having a HERO actually deign to look at one of us mere mortals! I may have fainted!

It's about respect.

Canada contributed mightily to the liberation of Belgium.

It's two groups showing respect to one another.

"Kid dressed up as GI Joe, and so the soldiers turned their heads and looked at him? Whoop de doo, what a fucking honor! I guess I just can't comprehend the overwhelming honor of having a HERO actually deign to look at one of us mere mortals! I may have fainted!"

Wow, that's some chip on your shoulder. Are these men heroes? I couldn't say. But I will put down money on them being very brave souls.

Sounds like you could learn a lesson or two from this lad.

How is this relevent? Maybe the poster should have posted this at military.com
Isn't it enough that that the U.S. is the most warlike nation ever to be in existence? And the OP uses this shit to try to justify current U.S. conflicts. Shame on the OP.

Yo, poutrage express. The OP isn't justifying current US conflicts. He's sharing a respectful gesture. Why do you feel the need to shit on it?

Canadian soldiers fought and died for the freedom of Belgium and the rest of Europe. It was relevant then and it's relevant now.

"Isn't it enough that that the U.S. is the most warlike nation ever to be in existence? And the OP uses this shit to try to justify current U.S. conflicts. Shame on the OP."

Crack a history book drama-queen, we're not even in the top ten.

A little Belgian boy saluting a group of Canadian soldiers returning from a memorial honouring those who died to free Belgium from the Nazis and the group of Canadian soldiers honouring the little boy in return causes you to froth at the mouth at the very thought.

Shame on you.

First, people are dredging up World War II because the video is in the context of a memorial from the damned war.

Second, if you think the US is the most warlike nation ever in existence, you're a classic and powerful example of the kind of sheltered, blinkered, perspective-free ignorance that annoys so many of the other ninety-five percent of us on this planet. Compared to some societies that have existed on this planet the US might as well be entirely populated by Quakers.

Yeah right. Let me guess, you are wrapped in the American flag even as you type this.

have followed the Geneva Convention which came out of WWII we wouldn't have tortured prisoners.

If the US, Canada and other countries hadn't stepped into the War the world would be be divided between German and Japan right now and most of us if not all would be enslaved or murdered. Maybe you need to go to your local library and pick up some history books and read.

It's easy if you don't get it then don't try to ruin everyone elses day. Maybe that was your intention anyway....you are boring.

The ignorance is astounding...

Crack a book... read some history... make sure you start in the Bronze age and move on...

The US the most war like nation in history... now that one is a FUNNY one.

"Isn't it enough that that the U.S. is the most warlike nation ever to be in existence? "
"Shame on the OP."

shame on you for being ignorant.
how old are you? ever read a history book? christ almighty.
:puke:

What they are to a man are gentlemen -- ya know, basic good manners, respect.

Do a Google check on those concepts because it's obvious you have no idea.

Oh that's right, they're wearing uniforms. :eyes:

but any a number of yeomanry units from the UK that fought in WW II. In Europe they STILL remember that little soiree and honor the fallen from that little soiree that killed over 100 million people world wide. Hell, the day that WW I ended Europe is filled with red poppy flowers all over the place. It is called REMEMBRANCE day.

You are right, you don't get it. Like most Muricans you do not get history, because Americans are way too blind to history, last week's history, let alone half a century ago.

As to the eyes right command, it is the highest honor any group of marching troops can give around the world. As a company commander I have issued such an order. As a marching troop I have obeyed such an order, and imagine this, not in the US military either. It is akin to presenting arms. I got a little misty eyed seeing full grown men, COMING FROM A MEMORIAL TO THE FALLEN, give such an honor to a six year old that is giving them the respect they deserve as members of one of the armies that liberated his country. I am actually not surprised you don't get it. Nor am I not shocked.

Someone wanted to pay respect and say thank you.

any of the many yeomanry units from the Highlands.

It is damn accurate though.

The kilt alone is a tailoring challenge; setting the pleats correctly have driven tailors to drink.

It's a shame he'll out grow it so quickly. Maybe he'll keep it for his son.

would not shock me at all. At the end of the war, once things got a little better, things like this were done to honor the liberation. So perhaps that is a third generation using it to do this...

:-)

And yes, it is a damn challenge to do it right.

It is a labor of love; I hope it becomes a family heirloom.

and yes I do hope it becomes a family heirloom. That was a LOT of work for remembrance day.

Thanks

Just showed the vid to my hubby, retired CPO and he went AWWW... that was cute. Kid saluted and they returned it.

:patriot:

when the US gets over it's history phobia as a culture and its hate if intellectuals, I will stop making that generalization.

A few, I fear you and I are among them, appreciate these things, but most don't... and that is a CULTURAL problem. Oh and it has been an observation made by historians from early on by the by.

Or he's being indoctrinated to join up when he's of age?

there was a stirring version of O Canada playing and I guess that's supposed to make us all patriotic. :eyes:

"and I guess that's supposed to make us all patriotic..."

Or at least feel like a human for a few minutes at least; before that is, the misery brigade comes in to imply that we shouldn't feel good about a civil, dignified, and very human moment.

:sarcasm:

they didn't stop facism or anything...

my uncle was a signalman on the ship where japan signed the armistice... to this d-bag he's probably evil too.

It was Canadian soldiers.. I'm Canadian, and American too. Can't I be patriotic to both countries?

Ahhh, minimizing it all the way around.

Clever... ineffectual, but oh-so very clever.

:cry: Thanks a fukkin lot.

I am moved to tears.

I'd never heard of the "Eyes Right" command.
Seems I learn something new every day on DU.
That was a beautiful lesson.

Thank you for the post.


Edit: To add Rec'd

and yes that is the highest honor marching troops can and do give.

30 year rankers coming up on retirement would take the salute of the graduates. I've seen old war horses with chest salad that would make George Patton green with envy and stripes from wrist to arm pit start to cry when the "Eyes ... RIGHT" would snap out.

The salad bowls in the US military. Where I served they were DAMN stingy. After ten years I had the right, never did, to wear only two of them. Ah those were for each five years of service...

No good conduct, no achievements, nu'ting.

I laugh and so does my hubby, who does have a good sized salad bowl.

And yes, I remember that. We did that, when we graduated from our equivalent of boot. The old war horses started to cry as he snapped right.

I've always thought the so called Good Conduct (I didn't get caught/commander didn't feel like dealing with the paperwork) Medal an insult. Getting a medal for doing what I'm suppose to do!?

The US Fly Force is now giving out a ribbon for toe dancing thru basic training; AF basic is not the most difficult intro to la vie martial -- Mother of God on a rocket sled.

ah yes, we made that comment, after niece graduated from AF basic she had MORE medals than I got in ten years of service. We had a very good laugh, what did she get that for? Making her bunk?

I have a threefer stack and all I did was destroy whole forests to fill up filing cabinets and growl at the youn'in's. I was good at it, but still .....

how a tight military bunk looks... and I could STILL bounce the damn quarter off the bed.

:-)

My instructor was not a drill sergeant, on that one, but a crotchety old nun... I remember her as the proper terror she was.... made the DI look nice and full of good humor.

Oh she ran the general wards at the hospital. Her logic, in a major disaster YOU TOO will have to make beds on this floor to MY STANDARDS.

She was a holy terror I tell you.

After her, the service was a month in the country.

I'd always mentally inserted the word "especially" into the medal's title and figured it was for doing a better than usual job in general in the service.

When I was doing the drill, bad time, ie an Article 15, control roster or court martial hit, would count against the three years of active duty we had to pull for a GCM. Other than those, automatic.

Today's mileage may vary.

Even more insulting it's awarded to enlisted only; officers don't fuck up :rofl::eyes:

There's other bling for better than usual - Commendation, Meritorious Service, Legion of Merit, blah, blah.

A more appropriate command would have been "Right Salute", This video, however, speaks highly of both the Belgian boy and the Canadian troops.

Great video, very nice. :patriot:

i am sure this young boy will remember the moment for the rest of his life. canadians are classy people :patriot:

I wonder where he got his little uni? Kilt and all. How classy of the officer (Sgt?).

more info here:
http://users.skynet.be/fb730011/salute.htm



Nice vid.

Sid

...yet threads about American GI's murdering Iraqis in cold blood and running amuck committing brutal crimes back home in the US gets ignored.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x6174692

Thank goodness earlier generations weren't as dazzled by the martial bullshit as are the so called progressives on DU or we'd still be in Vietnam feeding American youth into the military meat grinder.

My father served in WWII in the Pacific. My uncle was one of the men who liberated one of the Nazi camps.

So if this kid is honoring the Canadians for their service to Belgium during WWII, then I think it is sweet.

War is ugly, but the majority of men and women who served (the Allies in WWII) did so for the right reasons.

As for the current war, those who commit crimes should be punished, but those who do good things should not be punished or less appreciated as a result.

Overall I protested against the current war in Iraq, didn't want to see any of our US troops over there to begin with. Too many of our young people as well as innocent Iraqis have suffered.

In fact, I make my living selling WW2 artifacts and deal with WW2 veterans almost on a weekly basis. Many them have become very dear personal friends with whom I have remained in close contact long after our business has concluded.

I just find it odd the way DU'ers lap up feel good military stories while ignoring what's going on today.

that inherently most of us want for good things.

When I thihk of the state of our nation and world today, I think of Afghanistan and Iraq, I think of hundreds of thousands dead, I wonder if the war will ever end. I think of the money spent on war that could be spent on good things like healthcare, roads and schools, etc.
I went to a townhall meeting yesterday where people in the audience were so mean and hateful and ignorant and that video just struck a chord for me because it was something sweet and positive.

Lately I have been looking for the good in things because I am sick of the bad things and seeking out the good and the restorative power it has helps me keep fighting the bad.

As far as I can see, NONE...and once in a while... a very LONG while, something "feel good' comes out of shit like war. This was one of them. Are you another one that has the narrow illusion that the US ARMY was the ONLY military in WW2? You watch too much John Wayne man! We are all aware of what's going on, and I for one don't like it any more than you. Here you are still profiteering from a by gone war, and you poo-poo a small act of respect from a kid whose country was freed by some foreign soldiers who left the safety of their lands to stomp out hell on earth? I wonder how you would feel if the shoe was on the other foot, and America was saved by a foreign army? As a matter of fact, Read "A Man Called Intrepid"If it wasn't for Sir William Stevenson, a Canadian, you might very well be eating schnitzel and selling Nazi gear whilst goose-stepping around your yard! And read the story of "Camp X"

I find many people lap up feel good stories-- regardless of whether they deal with the military or not because they help us feel better about the state of the world... a feeling which is becoming more and more rare as trendy cynicism is marketed, purchased, and finally worn as an absurd badge of honor.

Those soldiers from the other article? Yeah, there are scumbags in the military. Lock'em up and throw away the key. But the majority of men and women in the armed forces are brave souls who do a dangerous job and don't run around killing and raping. They deserve our respect.

This thread is about kind and respectful gestures between military men and a civilian. Take your poutrage somewhere else.

so you can experience first hand the treatment metted out as policy by these "brave souls".

these troops were marching from a REMEMBRANCE ceremony for the FALLEN of another war.

GET IT NOW?


That kid is wearing a kilt from a MILITARY UNIT THAT SERVED IN THE WAR THESE MEN CAME FROM A CEREMONY TO HONOR THEM. GET IT NOW?

As to your comment... care to compare stories on horrors of war? I can start with dad and WW II and go all the fucking way to Central America and today... YOUR FUCKING POINT IS?

Jesus freaking age, learn to chew gum and walk at the same fucking time!

Not enough guts to put your mortal self on the line when this country comes face-to-face with tyranny, but mercenary enough to make a profit off of those who did and still do.
And, while we're discussing military meat grinders, I enlisted in the US Army (at 17 years, three months and three days old) on 7 Jan 74 -- just after combat ended in Vietnam. Had the war continued into 1974 and 1975, I would've enlisted anyhow -- for not much more reason than the Army sounded like more of an adventure than did two more years of high school.
Now, maybe that all makes me dumb as a post (those who put on a uniform can't possibly be as intelligent and evolved as such paragons of Darwinism as yourself and that other pant-wetter upthread), but I'm still proud to have done it. And I respect those I served with, those who came before me and those who will follow.
This is America, buddy, and there really, truly are people who want to harm us. Why don't you get on the home team?
John
Finally, I'm very VERY sure you have lots of friends who served in WWII. It's been my experience from the VFW hall that they're all very fond of war profiteers and, hell, grave-robbers, too.

That's not a very liberal viewpoint, shouldn't you be on FR?

Don't spit on the millions (of all nations) who served honorably by blaming them for the misdeeds of the minority.

I'm sure many in the military deserve us having pride in them, but not all and the op specifically says, "Be proud of our soldiers!". Since the OP author is "Omaha Steve," I don't see his comment "our" as being limited to Canadian soldiers, or being limited in any other way. My uncle served in Vietnam, I have great pride in him because of the wonderful person and soldier he is/was. My father (his brother) also served during but not in Vietnam, and he is a mean, hateful bugger who beat and tortured his family till they all had the sense to leave him behind, pride in him would be seriously misplaced.

Jobs that keep the wheels of empire moving, but mundane none the less. Also, the OP was trying to use this puff piece in an effort to garner support for U.S. troops. Why? It shows Canadians and Belgians. Honor all militaries is that the message? That's the one the OP is doling out.

And did I miss a certain national anthem written to a drinking song?

Free clue... Canadian troops were comming from a ceremony to honor the fallen of ANOTHER war. One that most Muricans have no fucking clue about beyond what they see in movies.

You also do not realize that NORTH of the border silly shit like Remembrance Day is taken very seriously, and not just a day off, like Armistice day is here. This is what this is about. Jeesssus freaking age, I guess the Canucks are now auxiliary troops and I missed the memo SOMEWHERE. I am sure you will provide it.

He's too full of "outrage" to understand them.

Apparently to him, if you honor the dead and show respect then you're part of Bushco.

attended a few ceremonies to honor the fallen as well... troops that nobody knows about...

After all for the American centric folks the fact that Brazilian and Mexican troops died in WW II is not something they are familiar with. Hell, they have a hell of a time with the idea that somebody ELSE but Americans fought in WW II...

People tend to focus on US/Germany/Russia/Japan.

It's irritating to have to explain to people that virtually every nation on earth was slugging it out with the big boys. I've read about the deeds (both brave and awful) of Canadians, Finnish, African, South African, NZlanders, Chinese, Vietnamese, Koreans, Ukrainians, Greeks, Serbians, Croats, Danish and I could go on!

It's still so important that we understand and study this period of time. It bugs the hells that some people just brush off history.

Hell, I'm reading a great book on the Boer War and I'm shocked how many events could sync up with today.

I met one of the three medics that deployed with the Escuadron 201 to New Caledonia. He was a hell of a good man and had many stories of that deployment. Hell, most muricans do not know that the plan to invade Japan included the first, the Second and Third Divisions from the Mexican Army and a Marine Division too. They were written out of the plan by D+5. This is how desperate things had gotten by August of 1945.

The plan also included several Brazilian units, one of them transfered from the Italian front to the Pacific.

Oh and a few folks know of the Battle of the Atlantic, South Atlantic Version. Torch would have not happened without the Brazilian Navy.

So between dad having lived through WW II and moved away from Europe on the HItler Travel plan... and me having met some of the truly forgotten troops of WW II... I have a different appreciation of the war.

These days we play a minis game, and cannot wait to have the pacific theater added to it. In his honor I will paint the Mexican AF fighter planes, even if I have to pain the damn insignia by hand.

These days readying the family.... modern day theocracy in the making... but their relation the Nazis makes my spine shiver.

You see these troops deigned to look at that little boy! He's been blessed! Aren't your tears flowing now? Why do you hate our troops?

You paying taxes, arcadian? I'm sure you are else you wouldn't be screwing around on the net making snide cracks; you'd be in court or the slammer. Therefore, you're part of the eeeeevil empire because, trust me on this, damn few of us 'baby killers' would serve for free. Love of country, damn right, but I also have to pay the rent.

So, next 15 April tell Uncle to put the 1040 where the sun can't get to it. Stop funding the DOD. When you demonstrate you have the intestinal packaging to back up your pie hole, then you might be worth listening to. Until then you're no better than the chickenhawks - you talk; you won't walk.

Yeah, most of us do have mundane jobs, but that can change in a blink. Ask the surviving crew of the USS Cole about that.

Finally, don't bother starting up with me. I've been listening to this self righteous bull shit for going on fifty years now and it's tiresome. I'm only covering the backs of my brothers and sisters in arms because regardless of my opinion of any fracas du jour (and it's usually negative), on this one I always step up for my troops.

Thanks for posting this. :cry:

Thanks for the thread, Omaha Steve.

:applause: :pals: