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Times Advocate, 1992-11-11, Page 14Page 14 Times -Advocate November 11 1992 s p A - r Legion perpetuates what we have forgotten By Ray Lewis T -A Staff EXETER - Remembrance Day. A day set aside for Canadians to take time to remember the courage of so many thousands who fought to keep this great land of ours free. It's been a long time between wars The anthem has changed. Crowds at the cenotaph appear smaller. November 11 is no-ionger a statutory holiday Lest we forget. The year was 1942. At age nine- teen, Stan Frayne, like thousands of other young Canadian boys, en- listed for World War I1. He joined the army in Listowel, where at the time he had been working for the Chainway Store. He spent three weeks in Listowel and then was sent to get newly es- tablished Camp 1pperwash ready. At the time it was nothing but mud. By June of the following year the task was complete, and Frayne was sent for to complete basic training in Stratford. Three months later he was in Aldershot, England, south of London and Lound himself vol- unteered for duty in Italy. "They came one night to Alder- shot and wanted four volunteers for the army corps. They called out our names, we took two steps for- ward and three days later we were on a ship to Italy. We were volun- teered." It was February 1944 and Frayne was placed in a front line unit as an administrator. He received all the same training everyone else did, except for mine laying and lifting, something he didn't mind missing. "One thing they taught you was to ride a mine if you stepped on it," recalled Frayne. "One fellow stepped on one but knew enough to hold it down. He lost his leg, but if he hadn't stayed with it he may . have killed two or three of his pals We lost a few, but not many." hi the spring of 1945 Frayne boarded a landing craft m Leghorn landing at Marseilles in southern France. After driving through France into Belgium the ad-hoc unit of 92 men was disbanded The soldiers were posted to vari- ous units in the Canadian army and Frayne went to a late aid detach- ment. The war ended but he didn't re- turn to Exeter until February 3, 1946. He should have been home five weeks earlier, but he and four others were taken off draft to go to Canadian Military Headquarters (CMHQ) in London. "Not one of us got to see CMHQ and we had five weeks to wait foe the neAt boat," recalled Fravne "We couldn't get flume tast enough. Coming home was beauti- ful.' Upon his return. Frayne joined the Estero Legion. At the ume n was tor camaraderie, but as the Le- gion evolved it became a separate ideal; another way to support a community. strengthen a nation. Frayne went on to serve in many capacities. including Legion presi dent, and his words echo what few fail to now do even on Remem- brance Day. "You pause, think of the past and re-dedicatc yourself to the future, said the veteran. "But society is changing." Today the average age of a World War 11 veteran is 72. It's now up to the likes of Frayne's son Dave to perpetuate the great sacri- fice men like Stan made. "They gave more than could be asked," agreed the younger Frayne. "Now they're looking to us." Dave became an associate mem- ber under his father as soon as he turned 21 With a father serving as president and his mother on the auxiliary, it had always been part of his life. Like his father, Dave joined tor the fellowship he came to respect but gradually became more, mvoived, serving as president himself, as welfare chairman and currently as public relations officer "We've never been involved in any wars and arc fortunate not to,' •said Dave. "What those men did has helped peace in Canada. They fought tor what they thought was right." The Legion has taken new steps to help'perpetuate the sacrifice, ini- tiating new projects such as re- search on the cenotaph and the con- strucuon of a new display case containing war memorabilia from members of the Exeter community. In addition the Legion conunucs to make major financial contribu tions to vanous local groups. In September alone the branch gave a whoppmf .Y: /.(XX: must of which will be enjoyed by area youth groups. Yet it passes almost unno- ticed. For veterans they will never for- get their involvement. Society seems to be changing, but ever so slowly. This year, legion members visited every area school to intro- duce kids to the prognutt hut ir. difficult because of their unfamil- iarity -with convict. It's been a long time between wars, but the contribution made by veterans to. the community both past and present needs to be rekin- dled. For you they paid the price. What they deserve more than any- thing is not to be shortchanged. Ian McCrae (left) and Bob Clarke provided the accompaniment to Sunday morning's Remem- brance parade and cenotaph wreath -laying ceremony in Exeter, organized by the Huron Park Cadets and Exeter Legion. Rernembrance Day.1992 - Lest We Forget By Ross Haugh uo' children. Wearing a poppy is one of our oldest Remembrance Day tradi- ln Flanders' Gelds the poppies blow Remembrance Day of some kind is observed in most pans of the tions. Between the crosses row on row, world, sometimes under a different name, or on a different day or both. In Canada, since 1921, poppies and poppy wreaths, crosses and sprays That mark our place. and in the sky. For these reasons, Remembrance Day observances may vary among the have been made by veterans. Now they arc made in Vetcraft shops run by . The larks still bravely singing fly, ditterent cultural groups in Canada Some celebrate a day of their own as the Canadian government's Department of Veteran Affairs. Scarce heard amidst the guns below well as Canada s official day. The production of poppies gives employment to many veterans. Almost We are the dead. Short -slays ago - Whatever the day, and whatever its naive, the- finis of theiabservaoce is .three-quarters-•of-a-milhen-dollar •is -raised each year from -their -sale- by We lived, felt dawn. saw sunset glow the same- to remembci the dead, to to tour the loyalty, courage and self- Royal Canadian Legion members The money is used to provide assis- Loved and were loved, and now we lie sacrifice of others before us, and to dedicate ourselves to the cause of tance to needy ex-servicepe In Flanders' fields. _,: �Y`%� � pec people and their dependents The annual distribution of poppies and wreaths is the Canadian Legion's -' in the United States two celebrations are held. The first as Memorial Day only National appeal for funds, which are held in trust in a separate ac - Take up our quarrel with the foe. on the last Mondayin % May and Veterans' Day on November 11. In France count. To you from tailing hands we throes it is known as Jour du Souvenir Day on November 11, in Gerinany the Branch Poppy Funds arc reservoirs from which emergency assistance The Torch be yours to hold it high: name is Volkstrauertag un the third Sunday in November and in Great can be given to needy veterans, their dependents, spouses and children of If ye break titin with us who die. Britain it s Remembrance Day on the closest Sunday to November 11. deceased ex -service personel. We shall not sleep though poppies gnw. Anzac Day is celebrated in Austraha and New Zealand on April 25, it's The Poppy fund is the Canadian Legion's way of remembering the debt In Flanders' fields. Herdenkutgs Day in the Netherlands on May 4 and Victory Day is held which allot us owe to those who sacrificed so much. It is the Legion's sin - May 9 in Russia. cerc belief that Canadians appreciate the opportuinty of contributing in a Since that first Armistice Day of 1918, Canadians have always set aside The custom of remembering the dead of the war on the anniversary of small way to the payment of this debt. h day in memory of those who gave their lives for freedom Until 193 i, Armistice Day was started in 1919., at the suggestion of King George V In addition to the Act of Remembrance, contribuuons to the Poppy Fund this was called Armistice Day, though trom 1921 to 1931 it was merged of England. The king asked his people to observe three minutes' silence at are tangible expressions of thanks to those men and women who died and with Thanksgiving and officially called Thanksgiving Day. 11 am. on the morning of November 11 in memory of the victims of the to those who have been left disabled. The Holidays Act of 1970 confirmed and established Remembrance Day war and the declaration of peace. The cost of war has been tremendous; 66,655 men and women gave by the following proclamation, " Throughout Canada in each and every That fust armistice anniversary found most people in the countries that their lives in the First World War, 44,893 in the Second World War and year, the 1 lth day of November, being the day in the year 1918 on which had been involved in the war bowing their heads in reverent silence. Eve- yet another 516 in Korea. Tens of thousands more were wounded. the -Graaf -War -was-trittrapharuly-c included -by an armistice is.a.holiday, ryone dropped_ what. hey. were doulg_and. everythitg.carrtelQa starldslill-_- - We have three wars and the heroes of three generations to remember to - and ... observed as such under the name of Remembrance day. trains halted in their tracks, cars and trucks stopped, and even ships at sea day. We also have a future to confront. Today schools in most provinces do not observe Remembrance Day as a cut their engines. . Our prayers should be that we try to fulfil the dreams for which these holiday. However, stridents and teachers set aside pan of this day to re- , The poppy from the very beginning h•s been the symbol of Remem- Canadians served, fought and died. member and honour those who died. Memorial services, prayers and spe- brance Day. Each November some ten million bright red poppies "burst Remembrance Day 1992.. Lest We Forget. Not only today, but every cial activities are prepared with a great deal of time, effon and considera- into bloom" in our land. They are seen on the lapels of men, women and day of the year. Be thankful to be able to live in a peaceful country. What is the most important part of Remembrance Dory that you would like to pass on to the next generation ? • • 1' l Reg McDonald Royal Canadian Artillery "When you think of Remembrance Day, think of Peace. Also think of our World War I vets who made Remembrance Day • possible. Try to end all war �nfi. gfJJity " tan Frayne Canadian Army "I think the main thing is to stop and remember the past and dedicate yourself for working towards the future. Work towards peace and no more wars." Glenn Robinson Royal Canadian Navy "When I go to- - Remembrance Day services, what comes to. mind is the buddies I lost in the war. It is so hard to lose your boyhood friends. We must strive for peace but if there's a war you have to go with your country:" Vera Armstrong R.C.A.F. (WD) "Think about what war did to so many families, my comrades and my own schoolmates. Also think about what these veterans did for our country. We wouldn't be living in the country we have now with- out them. As I Stand there on Remembrance Day, I always think of the people shpt we have lost." \ 1 ' I J Ken Hockey R.C.N. V.R. "War is not new but it is very fruitless. It shouldn't and, needn't be. The biggest part of the service is remembering the fellows that didn't come back. We must try to get along with mankind. War should be avoided at all costs.