Leaving behind a thank-you note
After tonight's broadcast and after looting our hotel mini-bars, we're going to try to brave the blizzard and fly east to home and hearth, and to do laundry well into next week. Before we leave this thoroughly polite country, the polite thing to do is leave behind a thank-you note.Thank you, Canada:
For being such good hosts.
For your unfailing courtesy.
For your (mostly) beautiful weather.
For scheduling no more than 60 percent of your float plane departures at the exact moment when I was trying to say something on television.
For not seeming to mind the occasional (or constant) good-natured mimicry of your accents.
For your unique TV commercials -- for companies like Tim Hortons -- which made us laugh and cry.
For securing this massive event without choking security, and without publicly displaying a single automatic weapon.
For having the best garment design and logo-wear of the games -- you've made wearing your name a cool thing to do.
For the sportsmanship we saw most of your athletes display.
For not honking your horns. I didn't hear one car horn in 15 days -- which also means none of my fellow New Yorkers rented cars while visiting.
For making us aware of how many of you have been watching NBC all these years.
For having the good taste to have an anchorman named Brian Williams on your CTV network, who turns out to be such a nice guy.
For the body scans at the airport which make pat-downs and cavity searches unnecessary.
For designing those really cool LED Olympic rings in the harbor, which turned to gold when your athletes won one.
For always saying nice things about the United States...when you know we're listening.
For sharing Joannie Rochette with us.
For reminding some of us we used to be a more civil society.
Mostly, for welcoming the world with such ease and making lasting friends with all of us.
For securing this massive event without choking security, and without publicly displaying a single automatic weapon.
For having the best garment design and logo-wear of the games -- you've made wearing your name a cool thing to do.
For the sportsmanship we saw most of your athletes display.
For not honking your horns. I didn't hear one car horn in 15 days -- which also means none of my fellow New Yorkers rented cars while visiting.
For making us aware of how many of you have been watching NBC all these years.
For having the good taste to have an anchorman named Brian Williams on your CTV network, who turns out to be such a nice guy.
For the body scans at the airport which make pat-downs and cavity searches unnecessary.
For designing those really cool LED Olympic rings in the harbor, which turned to gold when your athletes won one.
For always saying nice things about the United States...when you know we're listening.
For sharing Joannie Rochette with us.
For reminding some of us we used to be a more civil society.
Mostly, for welcoming the world with such ease and making lasting friends with all of us.
Thank you for being honest and it was a pleasure to host the world in our backyard and keep in mind we are always Canadian and that is a real Canadian will be. thanks and please visit us again!!!
ReplyDeleteFerooz from Vancouver, BC
thank you for writing such an awesome thank you note!
ReplyDeleteThank you Brian for your very nice "thank you" to Canada and the good people of British Columbia. Many of us "viewers" alternated between CTV "Canadian TV" (Shaw HD Channel 210) and NBC "USA TV" (Shaw HD Channel 207) throughout these most amazing games.
ReplyDeleteAs you probably know, during special, “national pride building” events like the Olympics Canadians usually tune into the American channels for only two reasons - the first being because we either missed or couldn't find what we wanted to see on the Canadian Channel, and the second being because we have learned to count on the American-centric overly lopsided “we are the best” approach to remind us just how much nicer, and more globally minded we “Northerners” are compared to our American counterparts.
But funny thing is, every time we tuned into NBC, in an Olympics when Team USA was dominating the medal count, we discovered only well balanced content and great interviews on just the right topics being delivered by professional, seemingly humble journalists, many of whom are household names even here in the "Great White North".
Thank you NBC for helping making these games so special to watch for people from all nations.
As a proud Canadian and a BC girl, it was an absolute pleasure to watch this entire event unfold in my backyard and to play host to amazing athletes from all over the world. Thank you for your kind words!
ReplyDeleteBrain Williams...WOW! My Family and I watch you every night whenever you are on, now we know why...Your HONESTY and GRATITUDE about your neighbours to the north.
ReplyDeleteIf I see the american Brian Williams I'll pass your heart felt messages along, I'll be honest, I don't think he reads my blog :)
ReplyDeleteS
Brian, thank you for your kind comments. I have always felt that Americans and Canadians are true "brothers" and may we always be just that. We have our differences, but that is a compliment to both nations. May God bless America and Canada together. Cheers, Owen
ReplyDeleteI always knew Brian Williams was a class act, and once again he has proven it to the world by sending such a wonderful note of Thanks.
ReplyDeleteTHANK YOU! Brian Williams
We, In the lower states are lucky to Brian Williams as a news commentator. He always does an excellent job.He reminds me of Peter Jennings.
ReplyDeleteI am sure Peter was "up-stairs" saying, " Well done, Brian."
My wife and I have often visited Canada and we love the people and the country.
Canada is a peace loving country and can be the true leader in the world (guided by fairness to all). Dis-agree with Owen, if you want to be a true brother to your south neighbour then you will end-up anywhere!(like Afghanistan or bullying any other nation in the world or making chaos or destroying Democracy in the 3rd world countries). Let Canada be Canada, unspoiled and holy, not tarnished by its rogue neighbour.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for considering us a "cut above". We simply did what comes naturally and we welcome you back to our peaceful country anytime. So happy that you enjoyed your stay with us.
ReplyDeleteSheila and Allan
Amherstburg, Ontario
Yes, monzur01 , I also rag America on many issues like her prehistoric last century lack of medical care for all of her citizens , etc., and her occasional bullying as well, but be fair enough to show the other side! Who is carrying the major freight weight in Haiti, and in Chile, and where and when any other disaster strikes? Is it the towering giants of the Islamic world like the illiterate nutbar Ahmadinejad and his Iranian fascist caliphate who jumps to help, or the sickeningly rich king of Saudi Arabia,or any other Islamic states,or Russia, or China? No hardly a bloody word from any of them. But from those bullying goons to the south of us, a massive mobilization of resources ,food,medicine , equipment, troops,planes,field hospitals,and from us Canadians as well. Criticize them for their errors, they and we make many. But praise them in times of disaster, as they and we are the first to rush to aid, and usually the last to leave. Give america hell when she needs it,but give her high praise for doing the right thing,alloverthe world,in times of disaster. God bless America, and Canada as well !!!!
ReplyDeleteHey Brian! You're welcome!
ReplyDeleteBrian
ReplyDeleteYour a class act, and NBC an outstanding Station.
However like you, our neighbour, we also have a few individuals like "monzur01" who speak from their rear ends and tarnish our relationship.
You are welcolm back anytime, and very well done.
Brian,
ReplyDeleteI am a Canadian living in Naples, Florida. I would like to thank YOU and your collegues for your professional and gracious reporting of Canada's Vancouver Olympic Games. Your comments and coverage of the games made me feel proud to be Canadian. - Peter Leupold
After Katie Couric's CBS Nightly News Report during the games, which I wrote about to CBS, I found this article to be so good as Brian was in Vancouver. I would suggest to Katie Couric's writers that they issue an apology for her scathing article about the Winter Olympics in Canada. I found it to be offensive and said so. Williams also said in his article that he was surprised we Canuks watch their news. I guess CBS forgot we watch their affiliates along the border.
ReplyDeleteIts nice when people recognize how wonderful a place like Canada is
ReplyDeleteit is amazing to me that persons from USA have such a non existent knowledge of us....we are attached are we not??
and Monzur01....chill out this isn't a time to make waves ....Enjoy the compliments!!!!!!
Dear Brian: we love watching the news on NBC each evening and then follow up with the Canadian news. You moved me with your obvious delight in being in Vancouver during these games and the fair and unbiased coverage bvy NBC of athletes from all countries was great. Bob Costas you are always cool and collected when interviewing and Mary Carillo, we loved your vignettes of people and places connected to the games. Just a first class job all round.
ReplyDeleteThanks
AussieSings
you're welcome, alway!
ReplyDeleteSir. Thanks for coming to see us all. we really do love the USA and have nothing but respect for you and your unfailing duty to make the world a safer place. God bless you all. Ron Arnold B.E.M.
ReplyDeleteCome back again eh!
ReplyDeleteI've never had the pleasure of visiting our upper neighbor but I have many Canadian friends and have never heard anything but positive things about Canada. I'd like to extend my gratitude to macangusagain for coming to our defense. We may be a bully from time to time but, by God, we're right down there in the trenches getting our hands dirty helping out those in need... even while we have plenty of our own going without. I'm proud to be an American and proud to be next-door neighbors to such a great country as Canada. Thanks again for allowing us, and all the other countries from around the world, into your fine, generous and beautiful country!
ReplyDeleteYou should stick around and cover the paralympics as well as you covered the olympics. Then it would be nice if the special olympics would get to use the place and be covered as well.
ReplyDeleteR. Floyd
When I first read this I thought it was written with sarcasm. I'm so use to hearing the Americans poke fun of the Canadians. What a terrific write-up. Thank-you. ~www.goldilocksestastes.com
ReplyDeleteWow, you guys sure like Brian, can someone explain to me why people keep commenting as if he's reading this, is there something going on here I don't understand.... is my comments section getting an RSS feed from another site... because frankly this is a little odd.
ReplyDeletes
Dear Brian and NBC,
ReplyDeleteAs a Canadian snowbird living in Florida for the winter we watched only the NBC network and still saw a lot of Canadian events, even when they were not playing the US. Great coverage and superb reporting. Thanks
Rick Bennett
Thank you NBC for recognizing the connection between our two nations on Sept 11, 2001 by airing a lengthly segment on how Gander and area in Newfoundland came to the aid of airline passengers stranded by the closure of American airspace. In paying tribute to one part of our country, you paid tribute to us all.
ReplyDeleteThere is an email going around with a link to your site on it.
ReplyDeleteQuentin
I never realized how "Canadian" I really am, until these Olympics. Funnily, the same "feeling" did not happen with the previous Canadian held Olympics.
ReplyDeleteIt's true, we ARE different. Up until now we didn't wear our patriotism openly. We always deferred (or diminished) ourselves, didn't want to draw attention to ourselves. These Olympics gave us an excuse and a reason to show the world what an absolutely wonderful place Canada is, and what genuine people Canadians are (with the exception of individuals like "monzur01" who has already gotten more ink and attention than he deserves). And as you and the world discovered, it does not always snow in Canada!
It was an honour for Canadians to welcome you to the “table” the Olympics, and it is so very gratifying to see that you felt welcome, and at home!
Don’t be a stranger, come back and visit again, but don’t wait for so long or for a special event.
And oh yes, you’re very welcome!!!
t_thyme
Thanks Brian for all the lovely things you said. They are all true :) It has been an honour to be part of a wonderful country and by that association being able to host these Olympic Games and to welcome you to Canada. I'm glad you enjoyed yourselves.
ReplyDeleteWe should be thankful America is America they way they are. Can you imagine if America behaves like Iran or North Korea, and we are here as their northern neighbors? America has many bad points, but which country doesn't? If you tally their good points versue their bad, America is still the best neighbor to have and the best country to police the world.
ReplyDeleteThank's Brian!
ReplyDeleteThere were definitely honking horns downtown on Sunday night! Wow, what a party!
your words are very welcome to us canucks, you are welcome back anytime and we will greet you the same way, with or without an international event. we hope you have learned and will confirm to all you know that we don't live in igloos, the ice and snow doesn't start at the border, and stay in canada all year. cliff, penticton BC
ReplyDeleteHey Simon. Thanks for posting Brian Williams thank you note. Do me a favor? Could you post the original source of the note?
ReplyDeleteI am, always have been, and always will be a proud Canadian.
ReplyDeleteThank you for noticing Brian how great of a country we are. I can't tell you how many places I have been but every time I come home the smile on my face gets bigger just knowing I am back on Canadian soil. And the World is always welcome.
Dear Brian, thank you for posting your note of thank you. Canada is a unique place in the we realize it doesn't take a great deal of effort to be kind, courteous, to say thank you, just because. We're kind of like what you hope your children will be like when they are out in public and represent your family name. Of even greater importance, when the Games are over, we will return to being ourselves, the flags will be put away, no more spontaneous singing of our anthem, that our pride in our country will be well hidden within our own thoughts, that we will continue to be kind, considerate and especially humble. In closing, the other night I was watching a Canadian Show called "The Hour" in which it was revealed that many Americans while travelling in Europe choose to wear a Canadian Flag on their back packs, is there any greater compliment that you could pay us. There are times in my life that I often reflect in thinking that America has such great ideals but somehow it has lost its way now and then but what you didn't realize was that we were watching and took those ideals into our hearts. It's never too late. David in Uxbridge, Ont.
ReplyDeleteWe watched the Olympics on NBC in Alabama. We were Very impressed with your coverage of Canada's participation . As a Proud Canadian we should be thanking you Brian as well as NBC. Pat & Jack Kalbfleisch
ReplyDeleteThank you Brian ... I always look forward to watching "YOUR" coverage ... you are the best ...
ReplyDeleteMr. Williams (South): as someone from Halifax Nova Scotia on the far East of Canada I was thrilled to watch you every night with the sea planes as your back drop report a very balanced Olympics. Thank-you. I watch NBC every night along with CBC and CTV for my news. An absolute pleasure to have you enjoy our hospitality.
ReplyDeleteDeborah
Thank you Brian. I am one of those people that has some harsh words for American politics and forign affairs from time to time.
ReplyDeleteYour letter has really brought home to me that there are many great Americans.(which I always knew). And that I need to respect and protect the relationship to our best neighbor.
Americans provide the most help in times of disaster. No matter who is hurting.
Thank you Brian and other Americans for being the world´s best (and sometimes bullying) friend. And for heavens sake vote democrate to insure that you are respected even more throughout the world.
Great job Brian and thank you so much for your comments !!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the poem, too cute!
ReplyDeleteMr. Brian Williams - how thoughtful of you to send us such an awesome thank-you. It actually brought tears to my eyes. You, dear neighbour, are so welcome! Hugs from Canada
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind words,our country is proud of our hospitality and we welcome the world any time they would like to come again!!!!...especially our southern relatives and friends\
ReplyDeletePierre said:.Thank-yous don't cost a thing, but mean everything.. Hopefully your apreciation catches on.
ReplyDeleteThanks Brian for your generous comments and your fine, balanced coverage of these Olympics. Like many, I found myself bouncing back and forth from one Brian to another depending on the sport I was interested in watching. We here in your neighbors country to the north enjoyed having you here. Your athletes and those from our other neighbors around this tiny little planet of ours were most welcome and we hope you'll all come back and visit us any time.
ReplyDeleteStan Carey
It was our pleasure and joy to host such an auspicious event. Come back anytime, the door is always open!
ReplyDeleteThank You Very Much Brian for your kind words.This in my opinion is what the Olympics are all about, setting aside all of the worlds problems and dissagreemnts so that all of us may take part in sport and stage our talents and in the process show respect and consideration for one another.I only wish this could be the way things were all of the time.I am very proud to be Canadian and I am very proud of my aunt who was American.I feel sorry for those who believe this is the appropriate platform to rant and rave,the sad part of it is, their hostility is exactley the type of behavior that starts the problems that they are refering to.The bottom line is we are the greatest of neighbors and the best of friends.You are welcome here any time and I have always been made to feel wecome when I was in the U.S. Thanks again for the very kind words and know that you are returning home with our respect and praise as you make it easy to be a great host.May our old and new friends from around the World know they are always wecome here. Pete in Cambridge Ontario
ReplyDeleteYour a class act, and NBC an outstanding Station - I wholeheartedly agree with this comment. I might add a true gentleman too!
ReplyDelete(and good looking too! LOL)
Oh and yes we watch NBC daily here as well.. (we are a French Canadian family but we watch the American channels a lot)
I am very pleased to read you had such a pleasant stay and that our fellow Canadians were faithful to their reputation. Canadians are indeed peaceful people and warm and welcoming ones too. It really felt good to read such a nice comment.
God bless both our nations for we are all one big happy family (it is actually true for half of our ancestors crossed the Non-existing borders back and forth then)...
You are most welcome to revisit anytime soon and thank you for the wonderful review.
What a nice review! Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteYou are a true gentleman!
Gislaine
Guebec, Canada
In Calgary it was the battle of the Brians for gold. In Vancouver it was the Summit of the Brians. Lest us not forget the entertainment of both of those great moments in Canadian Olympic history.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a huge fan of the name Brian, but William is nice enough to bestow on my next child. Thanks to both BWs for their excellent coverage of the Olympics.
Brian Williams a class act.
ReplyDeleteYou were a class act sharing your stories when Dale Earnhardt died, I remember very well. Once again a very classy thank you. I would like to thank you for being a great journalist who handles every story with class.
Doug in Burlington ON
Thank you Brian for your excellent coverage, your wonderful review and glad you enjoyed our Canadain hospitality.
ReplyDeleteGabrielle in Montreal, Qc
I must confess that I did as well flip channels from CTV to NBC and your coverage was excellent. I have really enjoyed the Gander special, it made me fell proud of all canadians from the east coast to the west coast. I watch you on NBC nightly news and you are a true professional and a gentleman. I really appreciate your thanking note and you are too kind.
ReplyDeleteFrançois
Montréal, Qc
Brian,
ReplyDeleteYour comments have gone through the email circuit like a lightning bolt. You spent a lot of effort to make such nice comments.
I was in Houston during the defeat of the Canadians (men's hockey) and the American coverage was absolutely gentlemanly. My American host were and always have been excellent neighbours. As a Maritimer (East coast) we have not forgotten the spectacular outpouring of love and humanity we were blessed with in 1917 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halifax_Explosion when Boston and the New England states jumped into gear with real American kindness in our darkest hour. A whole section of Halifax (the Hydrostone) stands as a testament to your extreme generosity. The Christmas Tree that we send down to Boston each year from Nova Scotia is a humble thank you.
On a trip to NY a few years ago I was quite impressed with the friendliness and I (we) did not notice the horns, but noticed the people (yes many) on the subway who stopped and gave directions and suggestions without being prompted. They saw we were lost.
Sometimes we Canadians think we have the market on friendliness cornered. It's just nonsense. I find Americans equally or maybe just a smidgeon more friendly. Your a good man Charlie brown er Brian Williams.
The origional post from Brian Williams is on his MNBC Blog -> http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2010/02/26/2213393.aspx
ReplyDeleteYour welcome.
ReplyDelete