We are losing a Generation, and they are probably the best ones. Completely unique to their time and this world.

Sadly, I have noticed we are losing a generation.  Our WWII vets are dwindling, and with them, their stories. 

These men are kind, gentle, smart, respectful and grateful.  I have met no one in my travels like them. 

They are humble, caring, selfless and worried for the world they are leaving behind. 

I had on gentleman say to me "If I had known what kind of mess Canada was going to end up in, I never would have gone to war" followed by great concern and sadness over what would not be left for his grandchildren and greatgrandchildren if we keep on this path.  I almost cannot imagine anything more sad than this. 

We have let down our vetrans.  They layed their lives on the line for our freedoms and futures, left lives, loves and families behind.  Lost friends, brothers, fathers, cousins on the battlefield. 
And they are no longer proud to have done that. 

Where do we go from here?

There is a group of men from Poland.  They were captured and sent (walked) to a Russian prison camp.  There they had little food, (500grams of bread a day) harsh labor conditions.  Then when Russia needed to go defend other parts, they were let go, and walked there way to join the Free Polish Army (?) and continue on to fight across Italy, Germany, etc. 

From there they all eventually ended up here, where they spend their last days.  Many worked at the same place, some the foreman of others.  They put their differences behind them, and became, as they call themselves brothers.  There are not many of these men left.  It is sad, but they do not mind.  "I am old, no good anymore," speaking with tears for those they leave behind, but content and unwaivering that God will be taking care of them soon enough, up in Heaven.   They are good men, the best I have met, and I have no doubt they earned and very much deserve their spot up above. 

I do my best to say thank-you for fighting for our country.  A country that was not even yours yet, when you perservered through the war.  I do not think thank-you is enough, nothing could ever be.  They always shrug off my thanks, as if it were no big deal, and often say "I didn't know what I was getting myself into" or "I had nothing else to do." 

They have cool tattoos, real tattoos.  From their first or last nights in England.  Often you find two men across the hall from each other, who unknowingly got tattooed in seemingly the same shop. 

They are grateful for cold water, hospital food, a warm blanket, five minutes of conversation.  They respect you the instant you show them respect.  They go from being tough and maybe distant, to hugging you goodbye and calling you dear.  They sacrificed for us, but now are worried they are taking up to much of our time to ask to have their needs met. They are grateful, kind, humble and selfless.

They are the best men I know.

a long time coming

Recently I was summoned to court to testify.  Well, actually it was my third summons, but everytime I went the case would be delayed.  The person involved flopped back and forth from wanting a lawyer to not wanting a lawyer etc.  

On the day of court I was surprised to see so many professionals I know and work with.

From our small town, we were missing from our essential services personelle:
3 EMS
2 Doctors
4 Nurses
3 RCMP

To me that seems like a lot to be gone from town, and unavailable to work for two or more days.
I know everyone is entitled to a fair trial, but with technology available today, something better should be able to happen.  

That and the nurses waited all day, only to be asked minimal questions (three or less each), and one of us was not even needed.

Major delay in Care

Recently, a young person spent two and a half hours waiting for an ambulance at their relatively remote campsite.  It did not take the ambulance two and a half hours to get there.  Ambulances are centrally dispatched from a call center.  They must follow the dispatchers instructions.  So the ambulance was mandated to go up a road any local person knows is closed until June 1st.  It is still April.  The ambulance is two wheel drive and eventually gets to a locked gate where they must stay and wait for someone to come open it so they can continue on through 3 feet of snow - ha, not likely.  They turn around. A SECOND ambulance then leaves to go up the proper, non-snow covered highway.  By this time the patients family has been calling 911 every half hour, asking where there help is, saying that they could have driven themselves to the hospital already, which is very true.  So now the town is down two ambulances - none left for any emergencies that happen in or around town, a scary situation that should be avoided.  Second ambulance gets to the patients, and instead of being allowed by dispatch to continue on to a Calgary, which the patient needed, or to a closer more northern rural hospital, the second ambulance is mandated to bring the patient back to our hospital.  (half hour to our hospital, half hour to more northern hospital, or 45-60 minutes to a Calgary hospital - the ultimate treatment goal for the patient) 

Two and a half hours after calling 911 the patient gets pre-hospital or EMS care. Three and a half hours after calling 911, the patient gets to a hospital.  Five hours after the initial 911 he leaves for Calgary from our small hospital.  Six hours after calling 911 he would have made it to Calgary hospital.  
Approximate 6 hour total.

If things had played out differently, if the system were better, it would look like this:

911 call
30-45 minutes later EMS on scene providing care.
60 minutes after EMS arrives patient in Calgary hospital.
Approximate two hour total.

Anyone else horrified by this situation?