Remembering our Heroes… Daddy...

On the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month... please observe two minutes of silence. Remembrance Day - Armistice Day - Veterans Day A time of sadness for the sacrifice was and continues to be great, but it is also a celebration of Life and Peace. This is what I’ve managed to find regarding my father’s time in our Nation’s Armed Forces. My father enlisted in the Canadian Active Army (category A) on May 4th 1942, just a few days shy of his 22nd birthday, much to the chagrin of my grandmother who worried about her youngest child (my father’s twin Johnny was born first). He was assigned to General Service in Huntingdon until August 1943. In August of 1943 he was drafted to the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps at Valleyfield Camp. The following month, as he underwent his Overseas Draft medical, it was found he had a medical condition that prevented him from being shipped off at that time. He was taken off draft and was finally posted RTU in October (returned to unit – soldier returning to unit following illness, wounds, leave or training). He ended up in Camp Borden (CFB Borden is the birthplace of the Royal Canadian Air Force), undergoing General Training until mid-December when he was allocated to the Canadian Armoured Corps CABTC No. 26 (now, from what I understand this is the 26th Army Tank Regiment aka Grey and Simcoe Foresters – but I could be wrong) in Orillia as a trained private (or trooper). As he had completed his basic training, he along with a few others was then drafted back to Camp Borden in January of 1944 to No 3 CACTR (Canadian Armoured Corps Training Regiment?) for training with that unit. As I’m sure was the case with many soldiers back then, in his short military career my father was shipped around quite a bit from one base to another. Unfortunately, he spent quite a few months in hospital (various ones at that) with what was thought to be pneumonia but ended up being pleurisy with effusion. It was presumed at some time that he had tuberculosis but tests weren’t conclusive. He was finally discharged in September 1944. And the War waged on…. My father developped a close bond with our neighbour who passed away a few years ago, he became my father's best friend... his name was Walter. Walter served in the war... this is for him and all the veterans who have come home changed. Please wear red on Fridays and show support for our troops. Thank a soldier. Wear a poppy. For the mothers and fathers, wives and husbands, and children ... Thank you. I posted this list last year, and thought appropriate to do so again. I cry… For the men and women who died, fighting for our Nation, for my freedom and the freedom of others… For the mothers and fathers who have lost their sons and daughters in the fight for Peace… For the men and women who have lost their soulmate… For the children, those who are left behind… and those who shall never come to be… For the friends who are left with only memories… For those who have no PEACE… For those who forget what makes the sacrifice so meaningful... For those who miss so many important moments of everyday life because they are fighting for justice... the first step, the first tooth, the first goal, the first school play… For my country, for we have lost so many fine Canadians… For those who died alone... and for those who are buried so far from home... For those who confuse their opinions on war and the respect and appreciation owed for the sacrifice of our soldiers... For those who have lost their brothers and sisters in arms and parts of themselves... For those who will not take the time to remember… All I ask is for a few minutes of your time. Please take a moment... On the 11th hour Of the 11th day Of the 11th month It's a Pittance of Time. Remember those who died, in war and peacekeeping efforts... They serve for you. Remember the fallen... honour their memory and sacrifice. Respect the veteran... your freedom was his or her gift to you. Thank and support our troops... Godspeed! Semper Fi Matt! Thank you Dad... Alice and I love you more than anything else.