Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2016-09-21, Page 11Syrian family arrives in Huron County Shaun Gregory Postmedia Network The time has come and after a long wait, it's official. The Syrian refugees have come to start a new chapter in their life here in Huron County. Flying from Lebanon and landing in Toronto on Sep- tember 19, the family con- sists of father Sharif Al Nas- sad, 38, Abir Ellias, 33, Abir's mother Wedad Alhadad and their two children, George, who is four -years -old, and two-year-ol Joseph. Patiently waiting for the plane's arrival, with open arms at 7 a.m., was an entou- rage of two vans from the respective churches spon- soring the family. This includes Egmondville United Church, Vanastra Community Christian Reformed Church, Bruce - field Community United Church and Clinton United Church. Alongside the humanitar- ian effort was the family's friend from back home. "It's going to be quite the reunion in Toronto," said Jack McLachlan before the event, chair of the Tucker - smith Refugee Project, refer- ring to the family's friend that now lives in London, Ont. When they are all settled in their Egmondville home, which has been waiting for them since June 1, McLa- chlan said there would be several undertakings follow- ing their entry to Canada. Being new citizens to the country, here is the list of duties the refugee family will need to accomplish: - Apply for health card - Request a social security number - Open up a bank account - Register for English classes "This will probably take the first month. After that, once they have [become aware of their surroundings] then we will start looking for a job for them," explained McLachlan In Flanders Fields' legacy CONTINUED FROM > PAGE 12 Over time, some have tried to soften, or even elim- inate, the third verse's con- troversial call to battle. Yet, without it, the poem loses its courage. McCrae was not a pacifist. 'In Flanders Fields' is not an anti -war poem. The audience that he wrote it for fully grasped that meaning. (One of my grandmother's friends who was too young to remember an older brother killed in the Great War recalled that her mother could never get through reading 'In Flanders Fields' without tearing up because she could only hear her lost son's voice). Few literary works have reached as deeply as 'In Flanders Fields.' McCrae was unable to enjoy his literary fame. His sense of duty kept him with a Canadian Military Hospi- tal where weakened by over- work, he contracted pneu- monia and died on January 28, 1918. His death made his poem all the more poignant as he joined the ranks of the many tens of thousands of Canadians who lie in Flan- ders Fields. The poppy of McCrae's'In Flanders Fields' has become the British Commonwealth's Remembrance Day symbol. Ironically, it was an Amer- ican, Moina Michael, who is credited with the idea of wearing a red poppy to remember the War Dead. In 1921, the Great War Veterans' Association of Canada adopted the red poppy as did the British Legion and the other Dominions. A century later, Remembrance Day, the only sacred event in Canada's national calendar, is unim- aginable with the Fields' poppy. It is firmly embed- ded in our national psyche as the emblem of remembrance. 'A cry from the heart' is how historian Tim Cook described John McCrae's 'In Flanders Fields' which 'emerged during the wreck- age reckage of war: Yet, Cook believes 'its powerful words transcend the Great War' and 'shines a light on what motivated more than 620,00 Canadians who served and sacrificed and those who continue to do so for the causes they believe in: Colonel John McCrae's 'In Flanders Fields' will always be relevant as long as Cana- dians `do not break faith' with the ideals of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. According to McLachlan, the children are bound to attend Seaforth Public School while the father will pursue his trade of being an electrician. At the moment the four churches have raised $26,000 of the $30,000 goal. In a newsletter provided by the churches, it stated the family is currently in need of bake ware, a slow cooker, a blender, three bedside tables, lamps and one wardrobe. Wednesday, September 21, 2016 • News Record 11 Shaun Gregory Postmedia Network The four local churches involved in the humanitarian project to bring a Syrian family welcomed to them to their Canadian destination on September 19. "On September 28th, we will celebrate Good Neighbour Day, and invite you to join us. Call Stephanie to join in the fun and see what the Harbour Hill difference is all about" EMENT c 104 Suncoast Drive East, Goderich harbourhillsuites.com • 519.440.0110 Independent and enhanced care. Short term and recuperative stays.