HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-11-19, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2009.
Remembrance Day was made a
little more special this year at
Huronlea home for the aged thanks
to the efforts of several employees
and the generosity of a few families.
Steve Cook of Huronlea said he
and Jennifer Elliott had a thought to
hold a separate service at the home
for the three veterans who live there
and they received very positive
feedback from families who were in
attendance.
It all started when Cook wanted to
construct a backdrop for this year’s
Remembrance Day ceremony and
due to overwhelming support and
co-operation of the families of the
three veterans living at Huronlea,
John Miller, Jack Jenkins and
Harold Young, a remarkable display
was made.
Cook spent time with the veterans’
families and asked about their
stories throughout the Second World
War, then held a special service,
which he called Remembering Our
Veterans on Nov. 10.
“We thought we might not have
too many years left with our
veterans, so we wanted to take the
opportunity to remember with them
this year,” Cook said.
After interviews with the families
of Huronlea’s veterans, Cook said he
made a presentation on each
soldier’s life and what he did while
he was in the war. Jenkins, he said,
worked as a military police officer,
being selected as one of 700
soldiers. Young, while not seeing
action overseas, worked with
military aircraft in Ottawa and
Miller worked as a motorcycle
dispatcher, bringing maps and
correspondence out to soldiers in the
fields.
Miller’s daughter, Maureen
Miller-Schmitz, contributed many of
her father’s artifacts to the display,
something she says she was happy to
do, despite her father’s reluctance to
speak about his time serving Canada
in the Second World War.
“I have never missed a
Remembrance Day ceremony,” she
said. “I have five sons and they have
all been involved with the Cadets
and they have all spoken at
Remembrance Day ceremonies.
We’ve always been very involved.”
Miller-Schmitz contributed
several pictures of her father to the
display, including pictures of him on
his motorcycle serving overseas.
She said that while she didn’t feel
comfortable turning over the entire
collection, she wanted to
contribute.
In addition to pictures, she offered
his medals, several of his medallions
and uniform patches as well as a
piece of shrapnel that Miller brought
back.
Cook says he found this piece of
Miller’s collection particularly
fascinating.
“When John was out riding, he got
caught up in an explosion,” Cook
said. “When they found him, he was
clenching this piece of shrapnel,
which I’m told might have been part
of the bomb casing.”
Miller-Schmitz said her father was
quite a collector during his time in
the war, bringing back many
artifacts from his time overseas.
Because of the positive responses
he received, Cook says he and Elliottwill be looking to prepare a similardisplay and presentation for theirresidents next year as well.“I was really pleased with the responses from the families,” Cooksaid. “They were very impressed,but I think they all appreciated ourefforts and the time it took to put itall together.”
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Star of the show
In assembling Huronlea’s Remembrance Day display, one of the major contributors was John
Miller and his wife, Mary. Miller’s family offered many of his keepsakes and artifacts from his
time serving Canada overseas. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
By Shawn Loughlin
The Citizen
Huronlea residents honoured on Remembrance Day
The Lions Club of Wingham is
proud to continue a tradition that has
been around longer than most can
remember.
The Santa Claus Parade returns 11
a.m. Nov. 28. The parade consists of
several floats, bands, clowns, and a
variety of cheerful participants from
around the county and the big man
himself, Santa.
It’s a parade with a rich history of
merrymaking. Children and adults
alike celebrate Santa’s long journey
from the north end of town on
Josephine St.
Once Santa has completed his
sleigh ride he will meet the children
at the fire hall. Mrs. Claus and the
elves will be handing out treats
while the big guy takes the kids’
wish list.
The Wingham Lions Club will be
collecting canned foods and non-
perishables for North Huron Food
Share along the parade route. Bring
your donations for a cause that will
help many families this Christmas
season.
Lions bring
Santa Claus
to Wingham