This Wednesday, I’ll join thousands of other Kelowna residents bundling up and trundling outdoors to attend a Remembrance Day service. 

It’s the least I can do in a way of honouring those brave men and women who gave up their lives for freedom.

For many, Armistice Day is a time honoured opportunity to truly stop and contemplate the supreme sacrifice made by relatives.

Certainly my family and lineage have been greatly damaged and depleted by war.

My mother and father, and both sets of grandparents, were directly shattered by World War I and II.

Dad and Grandpa Atkinson both returned from the war much altered by the experience.

My grandfather was wounded at Vimy Ridge while dad’s greatest scars were of the mental nature.

Certainly he was not the same man my mother had married before the battles overseas began.

On a bloody battleground in Italy my Uncle Roy gave up his very, very young life leaving all of his family at home devastated.

That wound stayed with mom and all of her direct kin to their own graves.

Roy was a real gem who died way too young.

However, for me, as valuable and important as truly I believe Remembrance Day is, I maintain there’s even a better way to show thanks for their absolute extreme sacrifice.

Execute your right to vote during elections.

On Nov. 28, there will be a municipal election held to name a new councillor to the City of Kelowna.

Some may not believe that one seat or one vote really makes all that much difference in government or in their lives. I obviously believe different. Municipal government is the most direct form of government we have.

Kelowna council voting decisions are made by just nine people (on a full council) and with most scenarios mean the majority vote wins. Often that decision comes down to a one vote difference either way.

I assure you that I very well personally understand the difference one person with one vote can make.

If I could somehow convince you all of that —the power of your one vote—then there would be no reason to ever write this again.

But I’m not sure that will happen so I will say this; twice during the 20th century thousands of Canadian citizens were given a choice, made one, and then altered or ended their lives by that heroic act. I

I’m asking you to honour their death by simply taking less than half an hour of a holiday and cast your vote.

After doing so, I hope you will also be thankful for the ability and opportunity to exercise that right.

•••

I’m saddened and actually shocked with Premier Gordon Campbell’s disrespect for that freedom of speech sacrifice.

It seems the premier has decided that certain areas in the Vancouver region will not be allowed to display anti-Olympic Games signage.

Shake your head Mr. Premier. Proclaiming such a silencing of negative opinion is hardly democratic.

It is an insult to those soldiers, and puts not only B.C. residents but the entire country in a bright bad light during an international event supposedly honouring the spirit of Olympics.

•••

Speaking of speech and voice, one of my favourite singer/songwriters of all time is hitting Kelowna next weekend.

The 11th Skookum Barndance on Saturday, Nov. 14, will feature Valdy at the Mission Hall.

Apparently this show will provide a slightly different side of the man’s singing style.

Canada’s revered folk singer has a secret alter ego and can rock out with the best of them. So on Nov. 14 Valdy is assembling his band of brothers, (Cat Shop Shuffle Band) and will blast out the pop classics of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s.

Story has it that for more than two decades Valdy’s had a secret gig as the lead vocalist for a smoking hot group of session players who have been the house musicians for the Big White Staff party held in the Cat Maintenance Shop on the hill.

These musicians are crack session players who have backed up the who’s who of Canadian rock in the studio and on tour.

Should be an awesome evening of music and fun.

The gig is also a fundraiser for The Okanagan Jazz & Blues Society.

Tickets will go fast so contact Pistol Pete at 250-764-1309 or 250-215-1226

Or go to The Skookum Barndance Society at www.skookumbarndance.org.