Well, it appears that my original post that called into question the creepy factor has evolved into something else.
I questioned whether it was just a tad bit creepy to be discussing an impending state funeral (regardless of how it comes to be) of any one of three remaining WWI vets. They may be 105 and 106 respectively but as of a few hours ago, they were all very much alive (and I would hope planning on remaining alive for a while longer). I also questioned (and perhaps lit the spark of further inquiry) as to whether there was any indication that the vets themselves had agreed to this petition or even have indicated that they wish to have, if offered, a state funeral. I've been reading the Dominion Institute's website for a while and I have not seen any indication that they have consulted with the families of these vets anywhere on their website.
I also wondered out loud at why we as a country were not celebrating these last three vet's remarkable life spans in the here and now instead of looking to the future where they have all died. How sad it is that we have already had them die and are speaking of how to bury them and give them honours they deserve instead of focusing on the glorious gift that they have lived this long and are still with us. We still can all take a moment and say thank you to them person. We can, and are blessed to be able to demonstrate to them our gratitude as a country - now - while they are alive.
I had the honour of knowing Paul Metivier who passed away last January at the lovely age of 104. His son, Denis was so proud of his dad and that his dad at his advanced age could still hear, see and speak perfect English and French. He didn't like it when reporters asked him about State funerals as he felt that he had a few more years left in him and was genuinely abhorred when people talked about his death.
It was with that in mind that I raised my questions on whether they vets had been consulted. I believe Trinity picked up whether the families would agree and if not, in his speculations, pondered the waste of time and energy to convince the Government to offer a State funeral if it were to be turned down (but he can speak to that himself).
I can't imagine what i would feel like if an organization were petitioning on my behalf (but not really because the last vet is unknown right now) to the Government to offer my family a special funeral service when none had every been offered to my comrades except for the standard Military funeral. I can't imagine what I would feel like if it became a quasi-competition between 3 very grand old men to see who could last the longest. Or even how I would feel that the same people that are so willing to suggest a funeral have never even given me the time of day since health as stopped me from attending Remembrance Day services.
I'd rather see a final country wide letter writing campaign to say thank you to the vets that remain or one hell of a huge birthday bash put on by the people of Canada for all three of them. To me, it is better to honour them while they are alive to see it than to continue to speak of their impending deaths.
