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Look for our Biggest Sale Of The Year Flyer in todays paper!(Only in selected areas.)See in store for complete details. 72 Main St., Georgetown hrs. M - W 10-6, Th - F 10 - 8, Sat 10-5 FLU SHOT CLINIC HALTON HILLS FAMILY HEALTH is offering flu shots for patients registered with Drs. Bartlett, Bourns, Deichert, Farragos & Sutherland AT OUR OFFICE 171 Guelph St. (Real Canadian Super Store) DROP IN ONLY Friday Nov. 2 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm Saturday Nov. 3 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm and Friday Nov. 9 1:30 pm to 4:00 pm Saturday Nov. 10 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm PLEASE BRING YOUR VALID HEALTH CARD remembrance day battle with mississauga AT SUNDAY NOV. 11 AT 2 :00 Purchase tickets online at www.battalionhockey.com or Battalion Headquarters - O N D A Y T H R O U G H & R I D A Y F R O M A M T O P M s 0 H O N E Acton/Georgetown, Friday, November 9, 2007 7 Most people know that I passionately pro- mote Remembrance Day and all it stands for. Im a firm believer we should always learn from history, and in doing so, take time to hon- our those men and women who suffered from any war be it 90 years ago in France and Belgium, or yesterday in Afghanistan. Over the years, Ive found most people say they agree with me, saying something like, Oh yes, Im all for keeping Remembrance Day a special time to honour our veterans, both past and present. But as I attended the annual Remembrance Dinner at Branch 120 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Georgetown last Saturday night, I couldnt help but feel there are a lot of hyp- ocrites out there. You see, the dinner was held LAST Saturday night, November 3, not this Saturday night (which would have been November 10, the eve of Remembrance Day.) And why was that dinner held last week, instead of this week? Because the Georgetown Santa Claus Parade runs this week, November 10 the night before Remembrance Day. The Santa Claus Parade is held in the evening, with lights attached to all the floats. Its quite a visual sight, and I admit, its lots of fun. So what does that have to do with Georgetown Legion and Remembrance Day? Well, the Santa Claus Parade finishes its run on Mill Street, right in front of the Legion build- ing, at 127 Mill Street. The Legion dinner organizers were con- cerned that the parade would distract from their dinner, especially when those veterans attend- ing were standing, silently observing the Last Post and two minutes of silence, in honour of their fallen comrades just as a passing band was striking up another chord of Here Comes Santa Claus to the delight of all those people lining the streets. For some reason, veterans really dont wish to hear happy celebratory music when theyre remembering fathers, brothers, uncles and hus- bands who died for the freedom we enjoy oh yeah, including freedom to assemble in a parade. And with the crowds of people along the streets, it would also have been difficult for the vets to find parking, or even get inside the Legion. I wonder, is it really necessary for the retail sector in Georgetown to be so damned driven to launch the Christmas season, that a simple thing like Remembrance Day gets buried in its wake? And tell me, how many people will flock to the stores Sunday morning, November 11, with their fat little wallets clenched in their hands after the parade, simply because Santa came to town? Im guessing none. I realize Actons Santa Parade is held the fol- lowing week God forbid wed want to over- burden the jolly old elf with two parades in one day but it could work Actons parade is during the day; Georgetowns is in the evening. I love Christmas as much as the next person, but lets keep it in its place. Geez, the rate were going here, the Santa Claus Parade will be held the weekend following Thanksgiving. I know my opinion here wont necessarily be a popular one. But give it one more thought, cuz thats another thing our veterans have given us freedom of speech and freedom of the press. So Im sending a simple message to parade organizers: I do love Santa Claus and all the magic he evokes just not before November 11. Most importantly, lets join with our veter- ans, observing Remembrance Day, solemnly and unchallenged, on the day it was designated. I like to think theyve earned that privilege. The Last Post or Jingle Bells? Ted Brown (Ted Brown can be reached at tbrown@independentfreepress.com)