Oh Canada...

Recently I was in a public school on one of my rounds, just after 9:00 am. The national anthem was playing and the students are required to stand during the playing of 'Oh Canada', wherever they may be, in class or in the hallway. The version most schools seem to be playing nowadays leaves a lot to be desired, in my opinion. It is a rather pop style song that does little or nothing to inspire allegiance or devotion to our country. I've seen children and teenagers stand during the anthem looking like they just can't wait for it to be over. Their shoulders are slumped and their heads sort of hang to the side as though they're feigning attention to an adults dissertation on the problem of youth today. This just reinforces the view that Canadians just are not very patriotic.

I have noticed over the years that Americans are much more patriotic than we Canadians, almost to a fault it would seem. There was one evening however, where I was proud of my fellow Canadians. My wife and I were at a Gaither Homecoming concert in London, Ont., and about halfway through the evening Bill Gaither introduced a local singer. The performer (I don't remember his name) began to sing our national anthem. By the end of the word Canada, the entire audience was on their feet singing along. Listening to thousands of people singing of our country with much heart and feeling, was quite inspiring indeed.

The group of singers on stage (all American) stood as well, looking about the crowd. with a look on their face as though they were witnessing something never seen before. It appeared they did not expect quite the reaction from the audience, and that they were inspired by it.

That evening, I was indeed proud of Canadian patriotism, and I am always proud to be Canadian.