Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-08-11, Page 66 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday,August 11, 2004 Opinion Forum News Seniors' perspective Continued from page 5 attending grade seven at the same school. After John graduated from grade eight, he attended Exeter High School in grade nine for a short time. John was a well- built boy, and when he reached the age of 16 years on Sept. 25, 1940, it was then that he decided to try and join the army. He fooled the recruiting officers because of his manly build, and he was successful at the time in passing the required questions and tests. John Alexander Sweet, at the age of 16 years, enlisted in the Stormont, Dundas, and Glengarry Highlanders R.C.I.C. in the spring of 1940, and he was given the ser- vice number of #C/53346. After he completed his basic training here in Canada, he was shipped overseas to England, where he would have received further advanced training. He spent the next four years wait- ing, like the rest of the soldiers, for the "D" Day Invasion date to come. When it did, he was part of it from "D" Day One, the very first day. Sgt. John Alexander Sweet was one of the few non-commissioned officers of his regiment who survived the "D"Day invasion. Shortly before July 20th, 1944, Mr. Clare Pickard and his wife received a letter from their nephew, John Alexander, who was serving in Normandy at the time, and was writing the letter in a slit trench, using the butt of his rifle for a writing table. He was at an observation post, close to the enemy lines, acting as an observer for the artillery fire. At one time, while fighting in the Caen area in the front lines, in August, 1944, Sgt. Sweet was involved in hand-to-hand combat, and after the fight was over, he was admitted to hospital, having suffered a punctured eardrum, which was the result of an enemy rifle dis- charging close to his head. It was shortly after this, when his mother, Muriel Alexandria Sweet, was visiting her sister Mrs. Clare Pickard in Exeter from Estevan, Saskatchewan, that she was notified from Ottawa that her son was killed in action on September 19, 1944. He was only 19 years of age. Six days later, on September 25, 1944, he would have reached his twentieth birth- day. Sgt. John Alexander Sweet was buried in the Calais Canadian War Cemetery, Leubringen. The village of Leubringen is located half -way between Calais and Boulogne. Calais was liberated by the Canadian First Army early in September, 1944, as they advanced up the French coast into Belgium in pursuit of the retreat- ing German forces. Sgt. John A. Sweet was the son of Alexander Charles and Muriel Alexandria Sweet. He was survived by his mother, Muriel, one brother Douglas, who was living in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and one sister, Helen, who was liv- ing in Guelph, Ontario at the time. Next week: William Harold Wilson. FRAUD: Have you ever seen a truly AMAZING deal, a price so low you just couldn't believe it possible? If the price is very low, especially on electronic goods - items are like- ly being sold that are not meant for the Ontario market. You may be buying from an unethical seller, and the goods could be very dangerous. Before you buy an elec- trical product, check to ensure that it has been approved for use in Ontario. Products and equipment that meet Ontario Electrical Safety Code requirements will bear the mark of an accredited certification organi- zation. For more information, call the Government of Ontario, Consumer Hotline: 1-800-268-7095, or by email at: cbsinfo@cbs.gov.on.ca or use the web site. www.cbs.gov.on.ca KIDS SAYTHE DARNDEST.... While working for an organization that delivers lunch- es to elderly shut-ins, I used to take my four-year-old daughter on my afternoon rounds. She was unfailingly intrigued by the various appliances of old age, particu- larly the canes, walkers, and wheelchairs. One day, I found her staring at a pair of false teeth soaking in a glass. As I braced myself for the inevitable barrage of questions, she merely turned and whispered, "The Tooth Fairy will never believe this!" PAY PENSIONERS the Same as REFUGEES? Re: New Refugee Plan Eyes Small Cities: I think the effort to settle refugees in smaller communities is an excellent effort. These refugees may find it easier to integrate into a smaller community, especially if accom- panied by some of their compatriots. I also found it interesting that the federal government provides a sin- gle refugee with a monthly allowance of $1,890 and each can get an additional $580 in social assistance - for a total of $2,470. This compares very well to a sin - Share a talent with your friends Submitted by Doris Hamilton ZURICH -There is a saying, if you don't use it you lose it. This applies to many things in life. If you are 50 and say, I don't need to go to Diners, I can still cook my own meals, I'll wait until I'm 65. Okay. Then 65 comes, then 75 and your mind says, I'm fine, I don't need this service. Suddenly, you have a stroke or heart attack. You are confined to your home. Your friends are gone, you've lost your driver's licence. Your family are too busy working and have children of their own. Maybe your spouse has passed on. You lament no one comes to visit anymore. This can all happen somewhere along the way. Or you say, my wife can still cook. I don't need to go to Diners. Excuses, excuses. Why wait? Give your spouse a break -take her out to Diners and enjoy the meal, the entertainment. Be a volunteer if you are able. Put your social skills to work. Share a talent with your friends: play a musical instrument. Make some new friends and live each day to its fullest. That's what Diners will do for you. The volunteers in the kitchen these last two weeks have been assisting Mary Koricina to prepare excellent meals. Especially enjoyed was the buffet picnic meal on Aug 4. Glena Olcen has been providing flowers from her garden for table centerpieces. Draws have been made to see who gets to take the flowers home later. Winners have been Marie Gelinas, Olivea Bedard, Gwen McKellar, Cecelia Farwell and others. Bingo winners were Gelinas, Marie Whitney, Helen MacLean, Bedard, and Lottie Grenier. Olcen provided piano music before the An indoor picnic day was held by the Zurich Diners recently. Above prepar- ing to 'kick the slipper' from a sitting position are: Glena Olcen standing, Gwen McKellar, Cecelia Farwell, Marie Gelinas and Bill Smith. McKellar and Smith won. (photo/submitted) meal with a sing along after for the McKellar also conducted `spitting Hawaiian theme picnic meal. cherry pit', as well as 'kick the slip - The 50/50 winners were Bedard per' while sitting on a chair. and Olcen. Bill Smith won the door Happy birthday to Kay Hay 85 prize. Candies in a jar was won by years young and still a volunteer on Gelinas. Farwell had everyone play the advisory board and at the desk a game called 'name the cake', won occasionally. by visitor Linda, a guest of Olcen. Diners is a weekly event held at Best costume (men) went to Carl the Bluewater Complex, Zurich and Finkbeiner. Best costume (women) is hosted by Town and Country went to Olcen and McKellar. Support Services. McKellar conducted a game to see Remember, if you don't use it we who could make the most words out could lose it. Call 235-0258 to of 'pineapple' and another number reserve a place at the table. game with winner MacLean. gle old age pensioner who, after contributing to the growth and development of Canada for at least 30 years, can only receive a monthly maximum of $1,012 in Old Age Pension and Guaranteed Income Supplement. Maybe our pensioners should apply as refugees! Information from the Toronto Star. HUMOUR: GUARDIAN ANGELS? A man was walking down the street, when suddenly he heard a voice: "Stop! Stand still! If you take one more step, a brick will fall down on your head and kill you!" The man stopped in his tracks, and sure enough, a big brick fell right in front of him. The man was aston- ished. He went on, and after a while, he was about the cross the street. Once again, the voice shouted, "Stop! Stand still! If you take one more step, a car will run over you, and you will die." The man did as he was instructed, just as a car came careening around the cor- ner, barely missing him "Where are you?" the man asked. "Who are you?" "I am your guardian angel," the voice answered. "Oh yeah?" the man asked. "Well, where the heck were you when I was about to get married?!" With heartfelt appreciation Dear Sir, The Hall family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to all those who participated in the search for Stanley Hall Jr. on Sunday, August 1, 2004. A spe- cial thanks to Mark Doyle, the truck driver, who found my son and took the time to stop and help. Apparently, there were many people involved in one way or another in locating my son. Shellie McLeod who gave us support in many ways as well as searching the area. The people at Pearl Onion Group, (P.O.G.) who phoned me and told me that my son did not show up for work. The workers at the P.O.G. spread the word to all the truck drivers coming and going from the P.O.G. Joanne Van Mierlo, T. Ward and Mark Gransden of the Ontario Provincial Police who were all involved in the search for my son. My brother George, and Carol Walker of Ailsa Craig, their son David Walker of London. The Ontario Provincial Police and all that helped were instrumental in their endeavors to find my son. It was a long and tedious 12 hours of searching. There were many more people who were driving around looking for him that we wish to thank. One does not know how valuable the police are until you actually need them. The OPP could not have been more helpful. The assistance they provided made his recovery all the more speedy and without incident. Thanks to all who provided their support, we will be forever indebted to everyone that helped us. Thanks to the media who had broadcasted my sons disappearance to all the people driving their vehicles. In closing, a per- sonal thanks to Joanne Van Mierlo of the Ontario Provincial Police who not only did her job, she went above and beyond the call of duty by keeping the family apprised on all aspects of the search. Personally I had felt reassured by her method of conducting the search, though 24 or 48 hours had not yet elapsed. She started the search immediately when she found out my son was missing. I will never forget the actions of all involved. THE HALT. FAMILY London, ON Exciting week ahead EXETER — There is an exciting week at Playground coming up! "Environmental Excitement" week has tons of fun activities planned. We will be having a sand castle building contest, a nature walk and some nature crafts. We will also be going on an overnight camping trip Aug. 19 - 20. For more information about the camping trip please call us at 235-2361. Also, don't forget about our trip to Sportsworld in Kitchener on Thursday. There is still room available for this trip, so call us if you are interested. Because of the trip, there will be no supervised activities at Playground on Aug. 12. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Congratulations to all of the children who partic- ipated in "Celebrate the Holidays" week. All crafts were well done, and the Halloween costume parade was a blast. Hope to see you all out in the last few weeks of Playground! MAGGIE MILLER EXETER PLAYGROUND LEADER