HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2004-11-03, Page 66
Exeter Times -Advocate
Wednesday, November 3, 2004
Opinion Forum News
Seniors' perspective
Continued from page 5
not paid by Jan. 31. Our success is in our strength.
Our strength is in our members.
Member benefits package partners:
• MBNA Canada Bank: MNBA Legion Mastercard
Toll Free 1-800-416-6345.
• Moores Clothing for Men: Toll Free 1-877-666-
7376.
• Avis Rent-A-Car: Car Rental Services Toll Free
1-800-879-2847.
• Lombard Canada: Home and Auto Insurance.
Toll Free 1-888-550-8063. Contact Legion Discount
#795800.
• Speedy Auto Service: Automotive Services
Contact your nearest location. Quote Legion
Account #00193.
• RCL Health Care Services Program: Co-ordinat-
ed by Affinity Health Solutions Inc. Toll Free 1-
888-253-2257.
• King Optical: Eyewear/eyecare. Toll free 1-888-
819-1234.
Legion Auxiliary Bingo: Thursdays at 7 p.m. Nov.
18, Dec. 16. As of Dec. 16 bingo may be cancelled
due to lack of attendance.
Chicken Barbecue and Harvest Dance: Oct. 30 at
the Exeter Legion Branch 167, William Street.
Barbecue, 6:30- 8 p.m. Afterwards dance to Don
Harvey's Band from 8:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. Chicken
barbecue and dance tickets, $20. Chicken barbecue
tickets only $12. Dance, $10 at the door. For
more information contact: 235-2962 or 235-1167.
For the next several weeks, out of respect for
Remembrance Day, I will be giving you very impor-
tant information about our fallen war heroes. After
Nov. 11, I'll then be giving you details about indi-
vidual soldiers again.
Poppy Drive: Oct. 30, 10 a.m. from Legion.
Remembrance Service: Sunday, Nov. 7.
9:15 a.m.: Wreath Layers register at the Legion.
9:45 a.m.: Parade forms up at the Legion.
10 a.m.: Leave Legion.
10:10 a.m.: Cenotaph Service.
11 a.m.: Church service at the Trivitt Anglican
Church.
The ceremonies are in memory of those who gave
their lives in war and whose names are engraved
on the Cenotaph, located in the Memorial Square
at the South Huron Municipal Offices and Library,
Exeter. Organizations/firms/groups are asked to
join us in tribute. Your participation would be wel-
come and very much appreciated.
The parade will return to the Legion after the
church service, where all are invited in for snacks
and refreshments.
The weather can be quite cool at this time of year
and because the Cenotaph ceremony can last up to
30 minutes, participants are reminded to dress
accordingly.
Wreath layers should be at the Legion by 9:15
A.M. and must report to the issuing officer to
receive a wreath, and confirm their organization is
represented. All groups, including wreath layers,
(if possible) are asked to march with us.
Remembrance Day services:
South Huron District High School: 9 a.m.
Precious Blood School: 9:45 a.m.
Exeter Public School: 11 a.m.
Usborne Central Public School: 11 a.m.
Stephen Central Public School: 1:15 p.m.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel School: 11 a.m.
Exeter Villa: 2:30 p.m.
Lest we forget:
First World War: 1914-1918.
Early moves 1914-1915.
Because Canada was not yet an independent
international actor, Britain's declaration of war
was also binding on Canada.
In August 1914, Britain and France went to war
with Germany. The Canadian government immedi-
ately offered Britain troops for overseas service,
although Ottawa controlled the level of Canada's
military participation. Most Canadians greeted the
outbreak of war with enthusiasm, especially those
born in the British Isles who volunteered in large
numbers. They were unaware, along with the rest
of the world, of the horrors that twentieth-century
warfare would bring. Recruits were gathered and
given basic training at the hastily -built camp at
Valcartier, Quebec. On Oct. 3, the first 32,000 -
strong contingent of the Canadian Expeditionary
Force sailed for Britain. The British colony of
Newfoundland also sent 500 troops at this time.
Second World War:
The modern world is still living with the conse-
quences of the Second World War, the most titanic
conflict in history. Nearly 65 years ago on Sept. 1,
1939, Germany invaded Poland without warning.
By the evening of Sept. 3, Britain and France were
at war with Germany and within a week,
Australia, New Zealand, Canada and South Africa
had also joined the war. The world had been
plunged into its second world war in 25 years. Six
long and bloody years of total war, fought over
many thousand of square kilometres followed.
From the hedgerows of Normandy to the streets of
Stalingrad, the icy mountains of Norway to the
sweltering deserts of Libya, the insect infested
jungles of Burma to the coral reefed islands of the
pacific. On land, sea and in the air, Pole had
fought German, Italian had fought American,
Japanese soldiers fought Australians in a conflict,
which was finally settled with nuclear weapons.
The Second World War involved every major
world power in a war for global domination and at
the end, more than 60 million people had lost
their lives and most of Europe and large parts of
Asia lay in ruins
Forgotten heroes: Canada and the Korean War
It is called Canada's "Forgotten War." Over 500
Canadians died in the United Nations' struggle to
repel the communist forces that invaded South
Korea on June 25, 1950. To the people they helped
liberate, the Canadians were heroes. Yet those who
made it home returned to an indifferent country
and a government that took 40 years to officially
acknowledge their sacrifice.
Flight plan:
A man was flying to San Francisco. Unexpectedly,
the plane stopped in Sacramento along the way.
The flight attendant explained there would be a
delay, and if passengers wanted to get off the air-
craft, the plane would board in 50 minutes.
Everybody got off the plane except one gentleman
who was blind. A man had noticed him as he
walked by and could tell the gentleman was blind
because his seeing eye dog lay quietly underneath
the seats in front of him throughout the entire
flight. He knew he had flown this very flight before
because the pilot approached him, and calling him
by name, he said, "Keith, we're in Sacramento for
almost an hour. Would you like to get off and
stretch your legs?" The blind man replied, "No
thanks, but maybe my dog would like to stretch his
legs."
Now picture this: All the people in the gate area
came to a complete standstill when they looked up
and saw the pilot walk off the plane with a Seeing
Eye Dog! The pilot was even wearing sunglasses.
People scattered. They not only tried to change
planes, they were trying to change airlines!
Getting older:
You know you're getting older when:
• You feel like the morning after, and you haven't
been anywhere.
• Your little black book only contains names end-
ing in M.D.
• You look forward to a dull evening.
Village Prosperity
Committee
generated
energy
Dear Editor:
Just a little note to say thanks to the
hard-working members of the Village Prosperity
Committee who have recently ceased operation in
Zurich. Over the past four years, their presence
has certainly been felt and it was evident that they
were working to promote the village. The success-
es were proven in the many projects and events
that created so much positive energy over the past
four years.
All of the members are volunteers—as is the case
with most of the clubs in our small rural communi-
ties. We don't have large budgets or paid staff to
put into the creation and promotion of events, or
for the upkeep or replacement of long-term theme
decorations. But, they did the best with what was
available until it was no longer feasible—way to
go!
The goals of the VPC are the goals of many of this
community. There are many ways of achieving
those goals. With positive actions, communication
and creative effort, good things will continue to
happen in Zurich and the surrounding area.
HEATHER KLOPP
What will become
of the 16th patient?
Dear Editor:
I am writing about the Huron Perth Health Care,
who in their wisdom are closing hospital beds in
Seaforth, Clinton and St. Marys hospitals.
Presently St. Marys Memorial Hospital has 21
beds which are being cut to 15 beds.
I have a rare blood disorder and I have to receive
blood transfusions every two weeks. My doctor is
in St. Marys and I use the St. Marys Memorial
Hospital facilities.
From Sept. 15 through Oct. 20, I was suffering
from septicemia, a blood infection, and I spent 25 of
these days in the St. Marys hospital recovering.
I contracted this infection as the result of a pro-
cedure which I underwent at St. Joseph's Hospital
in London on Sept. 20.
On Oct. 19, all 21 beds were filled in St. Marys
Memorial and the doctors were forced to discharge
patients, who may not have been ready for dis-
charge, because they needed the beds for incoming
patients.
There are several retirement facilities in the St.
Marys community and many of these elderly per-
sons are the same individuals who worked to raise
the funds needed to build this hospital!
A spokesperson for the hospital board stated that
these three hospitals have an average use of 15
beds per day. My question then is, why are they
closing beds if this is true? What will become of the
16th patient?
KEN MCCANN
Exeter
Panther Profile
EXETER — Last week at South Huron was a
top-notch one, mainly because of the wonderful
Halloween activities put on by our fantastic
Students' Council.
Thursday night was the Halloween Dance. Many
students came dressed up, and there was a prize
for the best dressed, which went
out to Willy Wonka and his
breakdancing Oompa Loompas.
Friday morning there was
another dress -up contest, how-
ever this one had a bit of a twist.
It was a dress up your first peri-
od teacher contest! Students
brought costumes in for their
first period teachers and a party
sub went to the class of the
teacher with the best costume.
There were many interesting get-
ups, including Princess Tutu the
Indian Warrior Princess, a belly
dancer, a clown, and the winner, a pregnant
European woman, who happened to be Mr.
O'Rourke. All classes did a great job!
Sunday night the Students' Council then held a
successful Haunted Hallway for area children.
This included creepy characters such as
Esmerelda the fortune-teller, Dr. Anstett the evil
scientist, Dracula, a head in a table, and many
other odd characters. Thanks to everyone who
came out to the Haunted Hallway, and also thank
you to the many non -Students' Council members
who came out to help! Also thanks to the custodi-
ans and Mr. Watson and Ms. Black.
A reminder to last year's grads they can pick up
their diploma in the office. Also, any students who
have not paid their Student Fee need to do so. The
Student Fee includes a yearbook. Last year's year-
books can be picked up in Room 118 at lunch.
Coming events:
Wed., Nov. 3
• Girls basketball at South Huron, Sr. team
excused at 2 p.m., Jr. team at 3:10 p.m.
• Parenting seminar in the library, 7-9 p.m.
Thurs., Nov. 4
• OFSAA field hockey, bus leaves at 4 p.m. for
Breslau (OFSAA is until Sat., Nov. 6)
• Massed band at CHSS, students excused at
11:15 a.m., bus leaves at 11:40 p.m.
• Massed band concert at CHSS, 7 p.m.
• CIP at Conestoga College, bus leaves at 8 a.m.
Sun., Nov. 7 - Tues., Nov. 9
• Student Council Conference in London, return
at 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 9
Wed., Nov. 10
• Parenting seminar in the library, 7-9 p.m.
Thurs., Nov. 11
• Remembrance Day Assembly
Sun., Nov. 21
• Pops concert, 2 p.m., large gym
Tues., Nov. 30
• Flu shots, forms will be sent home
Grad Photo Week is the week of November 15.
AMANDA
ZEHR
PANTHER
PROFILE