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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWingham Advance-Times, 1981-10-07, Page 12Pal 12 81m Advance -Times, October 7, 1881 international exchange Tour of cferrna we rie The past summer was a memorable one for a Wroxeter -area youth. Gary Grainger, 19 -year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Grainger of RR 2, Wroxeter, spent several weeks touring West Germany as part ,of an inter- national exchange program. The trip, which he gained as a member of the Air Cadet League of Canada, took him to parts of the country which an ordinary tourist might miss. Among other things, he witnessed weapons demon- strations and took a detailed tour of the heavily -guarded -border which divides West Germany from East Ger- many and Czechoslovakia. On the lighter side, the trip also took him to medieval castles, breweries and wine - growing areas, and he found the Germans to, be a very hospitable people with a passion for pizza: "They just think it's the greatest stuff on earth!" Gary's trip started July 17 when he arrived in Ottawa tp be introduced to his fellow travellers and climb aboard the Armed Forces transport which would fly them to Lahr, West Germany. He was one of just 63 from among the thousands of Air Cadets across Canada who had qualified for this year's international exchange. From that group, about 26 went to Britain and the same number to various European countries, he said. Others Y Pro for Ca went to such countries as Egypt, Israel or Japan. He and one other, a Cadet from Calgary, were the only two whose destination was Germany. . After spending their first night at a Holiday Inn in Rhinemain, the Cadets were bused to a U.S. Air Force base where they and their counterparts from other countries were divided up to head off to their various destinations. While in Canada the ex- change involves just Air Cadets, in other countries a variety of groups interested in aviation' take part, Gary explained. "It's not a military organization completely, although it is • GARY GRAINGER, a former Air Cadet from the Gorrie area, spent several weeks touring Germany on an exchange program this summer. He said his ex- periences there gave him a new sympathy for the German people and a better understanding of their problems. BERLIN MEMORIAL—The old Kaiser Whilhelm Memorial Church stands as a reminder to West Berliners of the ravages of the Second World War. Gary Grain- ger, on a tour of West Germany this summer, found this church to be the only building in West Berlin which shows any signs of the war. The city has been re- built as a modern metropolis with a mixture of cultures. military -oriented," While p -the base, the group had its first taste of. the anti -military feeling running high in Germany, as the bus which was Waiting to transport them was attacked by a gang which slashed its tires and spray painted anti - military sloganson its sides. Gary and the others in his group had to wait at the base until the bus was repaired. Gary reported that at various places in West Germany he saw posters of wanted terrorists, with in- structions whether they were to be arrested or shot. The posters would be 'X'ed off as the wanted persons were picked up. He said that Americans especially are resented in West Germany, because they are considered high- handed and overbearing in their relations with the Germans. He spent one weekend with a German host family and learned that in agreeing to accept a guest, the host had specified he would take anyone except an American. There were 15 Americans in the group with which he toured Germany, Gary reported, and his ex- periences" with them lowered his own tolerance for Americans. MILITARY BRIEFINGS During its travels, the group, which included four Britons (one from Northern Ireland), 15 Americans, two Israelis, two Turks and foal- escorts, ourescorts, two American and two German, in addition to the two Canadians, were shown some of the military equipment used by NATO forces in Germany. They saw an impressive demonstration of the Cobra, a U.S. attack helicotiter'tzsed` in an anti-tank role, and were briefed on the TOW wire -guided missile system. "That was one of the more interesting things, if you're military -minded," Gary commented. For himself, "I'm more interested in the flying end. "Military life is good if you're an officer, but it's not much for an enlisted man." Members of the group also were taken by .helicopter to the regional command head- quarters of the border police for a briefing on the border patrols, followed by a tour of the border in various sec- tors. They saw the village of Moedlareuth, where the border and wall run right through the centre of the village, and flew along the border in a helicopter. They were told that the East Germans do not use minefields along the border any more, but they have replaced them with a very complex system of border defences which make escape from the East almost im- possible. All the defences are on the east side of the border, Gary noted. On the other side there is nothing but grass right up to the fence. The reunification of Germany is a popular topic in the West right now, he commented, and during its tour the group was exposed to "a lot of propaganda" on the subject. "They were al- ways pumping the reunifica- tion of Germany ... a very political' line." EMOTIONAL EXPERIENCE One of the most emotional experiences of the trip oc- curred in West Berlin, where the group was shown the spot at which a 17 -year-old girl trying to swim the river from East Berlin was shot and killed just as she emerged from the water, Gary said. The spot is right at the old Reichstag buildings, and the group laid a wreath?at the monument erected in memory of all who died trying to cross at that site. He added that a discussion with the assistant mayor of West Berlin showed him that, although inhumane, the wall is an economic necessity for the East, The East Germans could see their work force flowing across the border and were forced to build the wall, "not because they're a bunch of es iri<ens, but because they had to protect their economy," he explained. The group also spent an afternoon in East Berlin, crossing at Checkpoint Charlie, The crossing produced a few anxious moments . for the. other Canadian Cadet, Robert Meyer of Calgary, a first - generation Canadian whose mother was born in Frank- fuZ°t and whose father came from the East before the wall was built. When the border guards found out he spoke fluent Getman, he was checked pretty thoroughly before being allowed across. American and other soldiers from the West are allowed to cross the border freely, so long as they are in - uniform and unarmed, Gary reported, and it was in- teresting to see . all the American uniforms in East Berlin. He also noted that East Berlin, unlike West Berlin, still shows some of the scars of war. West Berlin is so Americanized and advanced that the only -destroyed building is a church pur- posely left as a memorial. FAIRY CASTLE Among the highlights of the trip, Gary recounted a visit to King Ludwig's castle. An earlier visit to a medieval castle had been a disappoint- ment, but this is an im- pressive sight, he said. Seen from the back, there is a big waterfall and it looks just like the castle from Walt Disney. "It was the most beautiful sight. I've ever seen. The • guide told us we would never forget it, and he was right." A helicopter trip into the\ Alps near the Swiss border, also was very interesting. :There the group stayed inwa chalet which is Open for only four Mo lths of the year; the rest of the time it is buried - under snow. What did he learn from the trip? Gary said there -were a number of things. For one, he is more aware of the East- West conflict. He also has a better understanding of the German people and their problems and feels sym- pathy for them, especially those whose families ahve been divided by the wall. They can visit, but it is.very expensive, he explained. INTEREST IN FLYING One of the best features of this trip was that it cost him nothing, Gary` noted. The only thing he had to buy was .the Cadet uniform he wore on the tour; the rest of his expenses were paid totally by the Canadian .Armed Forces, which sponsors the Air selected to go on the trip. To qualify, a Cadet must have taken at least one of three six-week courses ("I had all three") and must pass an interview by a review board composed of both Cadet and military officers. The board questions you to see what you know, how you handle yourself and what your attitudes are, Gary explained, adding he was concerned he might not make it because he isn't very pro -military. What he is interested in is flying. This is what attracted him to the Air Cadets and what he hopes to make his vocation following gradua- tion from Conestoga Col- lege. He plans to apply for direct entry to the Armed Forces as a pilot, he said. If he doesn't make it, he will consider a career as an air controller. He hopes to fly transport planes like the Hercules and C130 in preference to the fancy, new fighter planes, he said. Fighters are so sophisticated that the pilots don't really fly the planes; they just monitor the systems, like' a computer progra m mer. Before leaving the Cadets to go off to college, Gary spent more than five years as a member of the Listowel Centennaires Squadron, during which he obtained both his pilot's and glider licences, completed the senior leader course, and rose to the rank of warrant officer first class, the highest rank for an Air Cadet. He looks back on the years 14111,4di ear The Walkerton Heritage Fair again will feature the pen and ink sketches of artist John Geerts of Markdale among its exhibits, organizers have announced. Mr. Geerts recently won first prize at a juried art show in Wiarton with his sketch of Fisherman's Wharf, Tobermory. He also has won numerous other awards, including honorable mention at juried shows at Goderich and Owen Sound. His works'' e = .n display at the Durham Art Gallery this summer. His drawings capture the historic beauty of local land- marks and heritage buildings. Some of his work will be for sale in full-sized originals, as well as post card sized reproductions. There is no doubt Mr. Geerts is rapidly becoming one of Canada's leading pen and ink artists. WMS Thankoffering is held at Fear home BELGRAVE — The WMS held its Thank offering meet- ing Monday afternoon, Sept. 28, at the home of Mrs. George Fear of Wingham. Mrs. Jack McBurney presided and opened with the call to worship. The hymn "Jesus and Shall It Ever Be" was read in unison. The scripture was given by Mrs. Mac Scott. The service " was taken from the Litany of Thanks in the Glad Tidings, with readings taken by Mrs. Joe Dunbar and Mrs. Ivy Cloakey- Mrs. Victor Young- blut led in prayer. Everyone read a Thanksgiving poem or story which were much enjoyed. The secretary's report was given to Mrs. Jack McBurney followed by the treasurer's. report by Mr. Y-oungblut. The roll call wap answered by a verse on as a time of learning and maturing, he said. "It's done a lot to make me mature and realize I have responsi- bilities, not necessarily to the military, but to the country and to other people. "The biggest thing I've learned is self-discipline.". A lot of people say they don't want to get into Cadets, that it has nothing to offer, Gary said. • "I say you get out what you put into it." Thanksgiving and one guest was present. The offering was received and dedicated by Mrs. Youngblut. Plans for the Fall Rally were completed which will be October 14 in Belgrave. Mrs. Fear is in charge"of the lunch committee. An invitation was read from Melville Presbyterian Church, Brussels to attend the meeting at which Mrs. Wilson Thornton will show her pictures of Europe. The hymn "The Day Thou Gayest Lord is Ended" was sung. Mrs. McBurney,closed the meeting with prayer ' and lunch was served by the hostess. Blyth .service UCW 1' ernberie `BELGRAVE — Several UCW members from Calvin Brick United Church and Knox United Church Belgrave attended the Thanksgiving service which was held in the Blyth United Church on Sunday evening. Mr. George Cowan of Dungannon was the quest speaker, and members were present from Brussels, Auburn, Calvin Brick and Belgrave. Ingrid O'Gorman of Cargill also will be dis- playing her pen and ink drawings of old country schools in Bruce County and scenes from Bruce. Her exhibit also will include chalk and pastel drawings of birds. The Heritage fair opens this year on Oct. 24 and runs until the 25th; it will be held in the Knights of Columbus hall on Highway 9, south of Walkerton. a, Mr. and Mrs. Cliff Hallman .and` Donald spent the weekend with relati, ,es In Kitchener and attended the Angst -Macintosh wedding. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Reval Dettman who were married .Friday and Mr. and Mrs. Bill Johnston ( Barbara Zwanck) who were married Saturday. Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs.. Al Ram (Carola Anne Hohnstein) of Toronto on the birth of,a daughter. Norflex • "bne Writing" Accounting Systems • Receivables • Payables • Payroll BUSINESS FORMS Supplies For Any One Write System • Stock Forms & Carbons To Fit McBee, Etc. Journals, Ledger Cards, Statements,. Cheques. LARRY COWAN Lucknow (519) 528-2730 WARD & UPTIGROVE Listowel (519) 291.3040 CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS UNBELIEVABLE SAVINGS 1 PC Quality Canadian Made Ski Doo Suits ADULTS $35.00 from $39.95 $45..00 Small - X -Large Tails Qversizes 4 pc Small - X -Large CHILDRENS $ 3X-5 8-16 1.QC 12-14 15.00 $24.95 $28.00 No Charge or Layaway Cho rrnans LUCKNOW 528-2526 The POPsIioppd Announces OUR NEW LOCATION IS NOW OPEN FOR - BUSINESS. COME AND TRY OUR DELICIOUS FLAVOURS AND MEET BILL AND ELAYNE RINTOUL. 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