If I Should Fall - Cdn Afghan War Film Wins Best Documentary US premiere Amelia Island Florida

"If I Should Fall" The Canadian Afghan War Documentary received best documentary award Sunday night (Feb. 26) at the 4th Annual Amelia Island Film Festival, Florida. During presentation organizers said "If I Should Fall" was the best documentary seen in the four years the festival has been running.

Based on the life and death of Ain-Ebel born Lebanese soldier Trooper Marc Diab, The Royal Canadian Dragoons, who was killed by an IED March 8th, 2009. Diab's funeral received national attention in Canada. As have all repatriated Canadian Soldiers.

"If I Should Fall" tells the story of Diab's life growing up in Lebanon and Canada, the sacrifice of his family, ad the honour and closeness of the soldiers and the military family.

Considered by many to be the most unique film of the Afghan war, "If I Should Fall" found a very receptive and appreciative American audience. Many of whom had their own connections through families who had served in the US forces. In post screening Q&A, consensus of the American audience was "If I Should Fall" is a film that needs to be seen and appreciated in the United States.

Amelia Islands was the first US based festival for "If I Should Fall". And first US Best Documentary award recognition.

To date, the film has won best documentary in two Canadian festivals. Festival screenings world wide in 2012 TBA.

All proceeds of sale of DVD of this film to charity: Military Families Fund. Marc Diab Children's Foundation.

LEST WE FORGET - Wear a Poppy to show your respect on Remembrance (Veterans) Day

Craig Goodwin is a Master Seaman in the Canadian Navy. His song, aptly named Sacrifice, is dedicated to all those who suffered during war time. We are very proud to share his chis heartfelt composition that reminds us to respect and honour our veterans. Click here to download his song, or watch it on YouTube

November approaches with a Lesson

November 6, 2010

LEST WE FORGET - Wear a Poppy to show your respect on Remembrance (Veterans) Day A lesson that should be taught in all schools .... And colleges Back in September, on the first day of school, Martha Cothren, a social studies school teacher at Robinson High School , did something not to be forgotten. On the first day of school, with the permission of the school superintendent, the principal and the building supervisor, she removed all of the desks out of her classroom. When the first period kids entered the room they discovered that there were no desks. 'Ms.. Cothren, where're our desks?' She replied, 'You can't have a desk until you tell me how you earn the right to sit at a desk.' They thought, 'Well, maybe it's our grades.' 'No,' she said. 'Maybe it's our behavior.' She told them, 'No, it's not even your behaviour.' And so, they came and went, the first period, second period, third period. Still no desks in the classroom. By early afternoon television news crews had started gathering in Ms.Cothren's classroom to report about this crazy teacher who had taken all the desks out of her room. The final period of the day came and as the puzzled students found seats on the floor of the deskless classroom, Martha Cothren said, 'Throughout the day no one has been able to tell me just what he/she has done to earn the right to sit at the desks that are ordinarily found in this classroom. Now I am going to tell you.' At this point, Martha Cothren went over to the door of her classroom and opened it. Twenty-seven (27) War Veterans, all in uniforms, walked into that classroom, each one carrying a school desk. The Vets began placing the school desks in rows, and then they would walk over and stand alongside the wall... By the time the last soldier had set the final desk in place those kids started to understand, perhaps for the first time in their lives, just how the right to sit at those desks had been earned.. Martha said, 'You didn't earn the right to sit at these desks. These heroes did it for you. They placed the desks here for you. Now, it's up to you to sit in them. It is your responsibility to learn, to be good students, to be good citizens. They paid the price so that you could have the freedom to get an education. Don't ever forget it.' We Will Remember Thank you, Veterans, With sincere gratitude from all Canadians Support the Spirit of Canada Veterans website! © spiritofcanada.com 2007 All rights reserved.