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HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 1999-11-10, Page 1010 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, Now•mbi,e 10, 1999 Lestwe forget 491SK) t"EfiiEE Steckle reflects on importance of last Remembrance Day before Z000 l S11.ENC1: To the Editor: As Remembrance Day. 1999 looms on the horizon, I -find myself reflecting on the past and seriously contemplating the future. This Remembrance Day will be the last before 2000. Unfortunately, the Twentieth Century has not been a shining example of humanity at its finest. Quite to the contrary, just over the course of. the past 100 years. mankind has engaged in numerous military conflicts costing us countless thousands of young lives. As in the past, this year Canadians from coast to coast to coast will be hosting events to mark Remembrance Day and Veterans' Week. 1999. To highlight the significance of Nov. 11 as a Day of Remembrance. the Royal Canadian Legion, with the help of . the federal government. through the Millennium Partnership Program. is attempting to start a new tradition. Beginning this -year. the Legion will lead the nation in setting aside two minutes of silence in every village, town and city across Canada once Remembering the Soldier's Body ' They came from all corners of the land to fight for different ideals in a bloody and horrific war. Regardless of their race. their native tongue. or their alliances. they were all human beings. Many were leaving their homes for the first time- some never to return. , All of these young mcn had two young. unmarred hands. Hands that created piano music, and held thc hands of beloved girls at home. These hands had weapons of war and death thrust into them. Hands commanded to kill. Hands that would never be youthful again. Before. laughter and .happiness were thc only sounds that had crossed their ears. Ears that were then bombarded and deafened with the inhumane sounds of warfare and the scjeams of the dying. They all had cars that never again heard life in the same manner. -At home in dancehalls. they had feet that loved to dance. Walking with those they loved was oneof the simple pleasures of life. Then: they marched off to war through fields of mud and corpses to battle. the unseen enemy. Too many feet were buried, in these alien soils. The- young mcn all had eyes that knew truth. beauty and peace. These eyes became witnesses to thc swells of blood and carnage that poured out of the wounded and appendages that were strewn about like doll parts. Their cycs would forever change their perceptions of themselves and their worlds. Their eyes would never -forget. All of these young soldiers had lips that acted as carriers for.their voices. They had lips that'Ioved to, smile and were kissed by other lips at home. During long nights when the sky seemed to be caving in upon them. these lips would pray to God for mercy and -protection. Each of these beings shared a human integrity. it was an integrity that lcd them to lend a hand to those in need and be the best people they could. it was integrity that even in the surreal midst of a battlefield did not fail them. Standing in the nightmarish abyss of dying comrades and facing their own mortality. they pushed forward thinking 'only of a time when their conscious would he unburdened of the lives that ended around them. It pushed them to surrender their bodies and souls in halting a force that thcy could not begin to comprehend. Today. fifty years after thc end of the war. 1 stare at my feet. my face, and my hands and I remember the servicemen who surrendered their bodies. their lives. so that I could live - in freedom. - - - - __ - Darla Canfield. Crapaud, Prince Edward island National Legion Essay contest winner Let us remember the many veterans who fought for our freedom. •1: DASHWOODa WiNDOW AND DOOR CENTRE 1st Avenue Vanastra Local Calls 482-7869 Toll Free 1-800-524-6616 TOGETHER WE REMEMBER «:de 1L�ie 527-2320 55 Main St;, Seaforth the clock.strikes 11 a.m. During that two minutes. trains, buses and cars will be urged to come to a halt; school children will be asked to stand at their desks, with heads bowed. office workers will turn off their phones. while stock markets. radio and television broadcasts will all come to a momentary pause. The intent of this exercise is to encourage ail Canadians to reflect and to honour the sacrifices made by our brave and courageous veterans who defended this country during its darkest hours. • We, who have never known war, owe a tremendous debt of gratitude to those who spent their youth in defence of freedom. Their contribution is now a pan of our history and their legacy is part of our heritage. As we approach the millennium. we owe it to the next generation to recall the sacrifices of our past heroes. May those who have gone before us have our remembrance, our gratitude and may thcy rest in peace. Paul Steckle, MP Huron -Bruce CAREFREE Hi. my name is Jon and I'm a typical teen growing up in Canada at the age of fourteen. But you could be Tom, Dick. Harry or Janc..it really doesn't -matter - just insert your name. My day' is filled with the usual stuff: sports. music and school - nothing too tough. I think about girls and what I will wear - •And wonder what color to color my hair: My mom worries if my homework's done right And if I'll he horn for dinner tonight. My dad wonders if[he old car will survive One more year 'til I'm old enough to drive.: • But for those growing up in the midst of a war. Life isn't filled with small cares anymore. Their heartaches arc heavy: their Toad is not light, Their sleep is,uneasy when they lay down at night. • Their minds are filled with dying and death , And wondering when they'll draw their last breath. Their parents aren't picking them up from the mall, They're wondering if their son will come home at all. is he scared, hungry. hurting - does he have a true friend. Who will stand close beside -him right up to the end? You sec. those arc the things that concern you when war Is the demon who comes and knocks at your door. So thank you to those who sacrifiiced their youth _That 1 might grow up in freedom and truth. - And to those moms and dads whose kids went to w•ar, My worries arc small because of the burdens you bore. Jonathan Hoddenbagh - Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan • National poetry contest winner A POPPY TO HONOUR THE BRAVE 11.d/ q% cMWtHOLLAW 4111 McGavin Farm Supply Ltd. Farm Equipment Ltd. 527-0245 WALTON 887-6365 AT THE GOING DOWN OF THE SUN.... AND IN THE MORNING WE SHALL REMEMBER THEM The Looking Glass 527-1783 WE SALUTE The men and women of the Seaforth Legion on the occasion of their 70th Anniversary T.M.P. Teatero Motor Products 220 Main St. South, Seaforth 527-2291 The Supreme Sacrifice in Defence of Our Freedom - x SEAFORTH PLUMBING & HEATING 527-0505 15 Goderich St. E., Seaforth Ire) In appreciation of their sacrifice ® Province of Ontario Savings Office Main Street, Seaforth 527-0210 Janet's Country Donut Cafe 527-2551 KEILY AUTO 26 Birch St., Seaforth 527-2210 Saluting those who gave all 9e€1424defflerYr SIGN CENTRE LTD. illR.R.#2HIGWAY 8, SEAFORTH, ONTARIO NOK 1WO 527-2200 FAX 527-1411 I3OILERMN i CHg 1 CANADA'S BOILED w MAKER"