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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 2009-11-11, Page 7Page 6 - Goderich Signal -Star, Wednesday, November 11, 2009 www.goderichsignalstar.com Proprietor and published by Bowes Publishers, P.O. Box 220, 120 Huckins Street, Goderich, Ontario N7A 4B6 . EDITORIAL It is our solemn duty to keep their memory alive The sacrifices have been enormous. The bravery; absolutely legendary. For over 100 years, Canadian men and women, many of, them barely teenagers, have bravely fought for the preservation of democracy and peace around the world on our behalf. Hundreds of thousands died in world wars and peacekeeping conflicts, paying the ultimate price for their country and fellow citizens. This week affords all Canadians the opportunity' to reflect on the sacri- fices of our brave Canadian soldiers and pay respectful homage to the people who willingly left the safety of their home to protect the rights of democracy and the freedom of their land. We owe them so much and it is our duty to preserve the legacy of our brave soldiers. Every year, on the Sunday closest to the anniversary of the end of the First World War at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1918, remembrance services and parades are conducted in churches around the world, as veterans and citi- zens gather in a fitting tribute to all who died in global wars and conflicts. This past Sunday, many local veterans and members of the Goderich Royal Canadian Legion Branch 109 marched to Knox Presbyterian Church for the Sunday service and remembrance ceremonies. It has been over 90 years since young men and women of Canada, and other countries, took up the fight in what was termed The Great War. It was a war that would claim the lives of 68,000 Canadians but it was the tenacity and bravery of the Canadian soldier that would be regarded as a defining moment in the history of Canada. We earned the respect of the world and continue to do so. Sadly, many more lives would be sacrificed in World War II, the Korean War and countless peacekeeping operations around the world. While Canadians have been highly regarded as peacekeepers, a nation willing to advance the principles of democracy through its military, we have again paid a steep price for our involvement in the war in Afghanistan. It is with absolute regret that we hear of deaths of young soldiers in Afghanistan on a regular basis and to date 133 soldiers have been killed in the war. Too many lives have been lost and continue to be lost. And so it is incumbent upon all of us to reflect on the sacrifices made by our courageous soldiers over the years and attendance at the Remembrance Day service at the cenotaph is a small price that we can pay today in recognizing the courage of our ancestors and the pride they instill in all of us. It is our solemn duty to keep their memory alive and to cherish their sacrifice. And we will remember them. DS Poem a glimpse of wartime past To the Editor; This poem was given to me by my father (who is now 84 -years -old). He joined the Navy when he was just 16 -years -old, and fought overseas in World War II. The following poem was written by a fellow shipmate following a bat- tle at sea where another Corvet in the fleet was torpedoed and sank. My father and some of the other crew jumped over- board and rescued the few survivors. The Goderich Signal -Star, published Every Wednesday at Goderich, Ontario is one of The Signal -Star Publishing Cmup of Community Newspapers. a division of Bowes Publishers, The Goderich Signal Star shall not he liable for failure to publish an ad for typographical errors In publication except to the extent of the cost of that portlon of the ad in which the erns occurred. The Goderich Signal -Star reserves the right w refect or edit any advertisement, The Goderich .Signal -Star is a proud member of the Canadian Community Newspapers Association (CCNA) and The Ontario Community Newspapers Association (OCNAI. 001111:011 ION Editorial Deadlines... Friday at 2 pm All Advertising Deadlines... Entertainment, Births, Deaths, In Memoriams... Classifieds... . Display Advertising... Friday at 2 pm Telephone Fax.... Publisher... Reporters... 519-524-2614 519-524-5145 Dave Sykes Dominique Milburn Gerard Creces Denny Scott Sincerely, Leslie Zolob • Survivors The stink of oil, the freezing cold The screams of men both young and old Cooking, gasping, fighting for breath Determined to five, to outwit death, Tiny its flame out of the dark Their one slim hope, to Ire's last spark The survivors lie on the icy wet deck, Cawing at burning eyes, dtoking on oil Retching, screaming, some ill Others, std no sound from their lips, Some well, some waleing upright, Looking to see their chum's alight, The ship reaches port, the procession b Some waiting, some lying, tossing in pain, Others stumb-ng, numb with shock, Gazing blankly at blessed land again, Careful hands take over from here, They know they have nothing more to fear. Then the coffins with their hallowed dead, Hearts contract with a nameless dread, Could these be men? Now they Ile, So cold and still and staring of eye, Soon to be buried in foreign earth, Far from family and familiar hearth. The rescue crew lines the rail, weary Silent, grim, no word need be said, Thinking of chums now dead. Gone dcmn with their ship; split in twain, They want to go back again and again, Until they see the battle won; And know they're finished, the job Is done, Witten by a aew merrier of HMCS Cord after the torpedoing of HMCS Vallefield. Classifieds & Subscription... Accounting... Office Manager... Display Sales... Advertising Manager... Judy Austin Rhonda Butt Mary Johnston Janet Shrier Lisa Paleczny Keith Moreland Steve Northey Candice Mclvor Kevin Shrier Email... gssnews@bowesnacom,gsssports@bowesnet.com gssadsC bowesnet.com, goderichads@bowesnet.com web site... www goderichsignalstar. com PUeUCATt0NS Mal AW1EEMENT No. 40064683 PAP REGISTRATION No. 7602 RETURN UNDELIVERABLE CANi►oulr ADDRESSES To: Circulation Dept., 120 Plucking St., P.O. Box 120, Dodeericti, ON, N7A 486 (519) 524.2614 rM &: gunews@bcnvesnet.com We acknowledge the finandal support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing costs. Canada Amu