The Brussels Post, 1976-11-10, Page 21And there are the trumpeters who can
handle the Last Post. They're few and far
between, but around Remembrance Day
they hit the Jackpot. A former student of
mine used to pick up about $35, darting
from one area community to the other,
playing the Last Post at Legion dinners,
and memorial services, and schools and
churches.
And there's the military, the mighty and
intrepid Canadian • Forces, who could
probably repel an attack by the Swiss Navy
and the army of Monaco. It gives them a
chance to strut their stuff and show that
they have been taught the Slow March.
But those are minority groups. Who or
what is left to make Remembrance Day a
significant one in Canadian Life? There's
nobody left but the guys who were actually
there — the veterans.
Does it mean anything to them? At the
risk of sounding maudlin, I would answer
with .a ringing affirmative. -C
Their ranks are thinning, and hardly
anybody else turns up for the ceremony
any more. But across the land, thousands
of men and women, pot-bellied, grey-
haired, slightly ridiculous to themselves as
well. as others, will march with solemn
faces, on a cold and wet and windy day, to
community cenotaphs across the land.
They will stand andlisten to the Names
of the Fallen being read. They will be
assured by the padre that They. Did Not
Give Their Lives in Vain. In the Minute's
Silence, which is usually cut to 30' seconds,
they will have ' a brief flicker of
overwhelming grief. Not for fallen
comrades, but for lost youth, and for the
encroachment of old age and illness and
the final enemy. • • •
And as the knifing notes of The Last Post
keen in the November air, there will be
some real tears. Then its attention,
Reveille, and quick-step behind the band,
off to the Legion ' Hall,all that sloppy
"sentiment" left behind, like the fallen
comrades.
There, the caps will snap, and the turkey
will sizzle, and the dart board and the
shuffle board will be in full swing, and all
the young punks who joined the Legion as
social members will be enjoying the
facilities, and over in a corner, a few Old
Sweats from W.W.I will be nursing a beer
and reminding, with a quickening of the
eye, "D'ya remember the time...?"
It's sort of sad. But maybe it's a good
thing that somebody remembers all the
fine young men who went off so willingly,
even eagerly, to fight, and to die if
necessary, for ideals that modern
historians sneer at.
UCW have
Remembrance
meeting
The November meeting of the
Evening Unit of the U.C.W. was
held in the church basement on
Wednesday, November 3.
Larke McDonald opened the
meeting by reading a poem about
Unity, followed by hymn Faith of
our Fathers. Karen Cardiff read
the 23rd Psalm and a Rememb-
rance Day reading written by, a
grade 11 student that spoke of the
real heros of war, our dead. Larke
read an article on John
MacCrea ., the author. of Flanders-
Fields ,which described how he
wrote his famous poem and gave
a deeper understanding of the
poet as • a man.. Hymn 'Onward
Christian Soldiers and prayer
closed the worship portion.
The President, Betty Campbell,
presided for the business portion
of the program. Minutes were
read and approved, roll call was
taken, collection -received.
Marie, LeDrew was appointed
nominating chairinan to bring in a
slate of officers for our December
meeting. - -
The annual Christmas Tea &
Bake Sale was set for Friday,
November 19 between, 2:30 and
4:00 'p.m. All the ladies of the
community to be invited.
Birthdays for the month were
given out. Barb McCutcheon
announced that anyone wishing to
could donate for stockings for the
patients at the nursing home.
The meeting closed by repeat-
ing the benediction. Lunch was
served by Jean Bridge and Adah
Smith.
"Just produce your li-
cense, lady. My horoscope
sign has -nothing to do
with this matter."
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40th Wedding. Anniversary.
A mock wedding was enjoyed
by all. Earl Mills, Listowel, read
the address and the bride and
groom of 40 years ago received
many lovely gifts. Watson and
Grace thanked all for their gifts.
Everyone joined in singing "For
they are jolly good fellows."
A delicious lunch was served.
Anniversary cake and ice cream
were enjoyed by everyone.
Guests were present from
Walton, Clifford, Belmore,
Listowel, Gorrie, Palmerston and
Brussels.
On November 4, Watson and
Grace, Ken and Elizabeth, Doug,
Cathy and. Donnie Sholdice
enjoyed a delicious turkey dinner
at the Maitland Restaurant in
Wingham.
Mr. and Mrs. Watson Sholdice
expressed appreciation to their
family for their thoughtfulness in
making this anniversary such a
happy occasion.
Mrs. lack Bowman had the
misfortune to fall on Sunday
receiving multiple injuries.
The accident occurred when
she was leaving Melvilk Presby-
terian Church after tI+ morning
service.
She was 'removed by ambu-
lance to Wingham and District
Hospital when it was found she
suffered a fractured right leg,
severe bump on her head and
various scrapes and bruises.
Remembrance Day
Sugar. and Spice
by Bill Smiley Watson and Grace Sholdice
were pleasantly surprised when
about thirty relatives called 9n
them on Friday evening, Novem-
ber 5, to help them celebrate their
Honour. Sholdice 's
on 40th anniversary
I wonder how much more will be chipped
away frpm the image' of Remembrance Day
this fall?
Each year the iconoclasts chip, chip
away, hoping that eventually the whole
embarrassing (in their opinion) charade
will fade away, even though old soldiers
never do.
Last year, one Canadian Legion branch
observed the day a week early, because the
Nov. 11 date interfered with their deer
hunting.
To the businessman, Remembrance Day
is a dam' nuisance. For years he fought it,
with one eye on his customers who were
veterans, and the other on his clerks, who
would have to be paid for nothing, if he
gave them the day off.
He whittled it down to half a day off,
then an hour off for the memorial services.
Today, most businessmen simply ignore
the day, and it's business as usual.
To industry, it has long since been an
anachronism, although many of them do
allow veterans the time off to attend the
service.
To the civil service, the banks, ,the
teachers, it is just another welcome
holiday, a little bonus. M akes a good day
to go hunting, or fishing for rainbow, or
putting the boat away for the winter.
To the young people of this land,
,however much their teachers try to make
them awarerit's just one of those vague
and silly holidays,
'
like Empire ,Day, or
whatever that thing is called that used to
be The 24th. Day of -May, the Queen's
birthday.
Even a decade or so ago, youngst ers still
had fathers 'and uncles who had served in
World War g, and talked about it, and,
maybe had a souvenir, like the .garter-belt
of a Women's Land Army girl, Which they
assured their kids was one of the catapults
that were Britain's only weapon after the
evacuation at Dunkirk.
For 'many a veteran's wife, it's a day
of some anxiety. She knows perfectly well
that, however carefully she has trained the
old man, he's going to insist on going off to
the Legion Hall, to "honor my old
comrades." The trouble is, his old
comrades have also gone there, to honor
him. And between all the honoring, he's
going to arrive home at an unusual hour, in
an uncertain condition, and will feel every
one of his 56 years on the morrow.
That doesn't leave much of anybody,
does it, who has any real stake in
Remembrance Day?
Oh, of course thereare the politicians.
There are still a few votes to be culled from
veterans and their wives.
Monday night at S.D.H.S. was
the scene of the Non-Nibbler's
auction sale, when over $43 was
raised. It was held, as usual, after
the regular 8 p.m. meeting: sa psPera last week's speaker,
s Helen Harrisine, the nutri-
tionist front Toronto, had soine-tiling to do with this Week's
record weight loss:
Per those who are not
acquainted with the Non Nibblers, it is a group of ladies
With a weight problem wilt
meet every Monday night at
S.D.H,S, at 8 0.m.
The club is entirely self-
4Ijorting, and is net affiliated
he
ch
he
ge
is)
-+„
NOW PAYING
A HIGH RATE OF
lA 0/0GuaTr
r
a
u
nst
te
ed
Certificates for 5 year term
a member of the Canada Deposit
Insurance CorboratiOn
Rortnenberg
Insurance Agency
Brit886[s openTtiegday8 and Fridays
Phone 88/A663
•morilaoN. nioNE. 347.2241
Monday to Saturday none [atilyfiniel
THE 'BRUSSELS POST NOVEMBER 1.11, 1976 21
Invite newcomers
Non-Nibblers
have auction
with any international clubs of a
similar nature. All money brought
.in by joining fees, weekly dues
and fines are used by the club to
run its affairs. The fees are
reasoliable. It costs $1. to join and
25 cents per week ; with small
penalties for gaining.
It is a very friendly club, with
women of all ages working
together toward the common
goal, which is to Take It Off. (Fat,
that is!!) If that's one of your
problems, join the group. You'll
be very welcomes you are
interested, feel free to phone:
Henny Glum at $27 0215` or
Grace Hussey at 6114574,