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The Huron Expositor, 1984-11-07, Page 10A10 --- THE HURON EXPOSITOR, NOVEMBER 7, 1984 REMEMBRANCE DAY AN ARTIFACT—This flying helmet Is one of 2,000 artifacts on display at the Seaforth Legion, This helmet was worn by Les Beattie, DFC. (Waasink photo) LEST WE FORGET Box Chapel Brussels Chapel - 887-6331 M.L. WATTS FUNERAL HOME 47 High St., Seaforth 527-0885 A TiME TO REMEMBER 4,4 PiZZA TRAIN Seaforth 527-0180 A MOMENT'S SILENCE FOR A LIFETIME OF FREEDOM TOWN OF SEAFORTH REMEMBERING THE VETERANS .. . THE HURON EXPOSITOR Seaforth 527-0240 Memories are real BY HEATHER RMI L W RAWT H For most Canadians the memories of war are based on stories they've heard or read. Yet, for others, those who served, the memories are real. Frank Golding was bores and raised in Seaforth. Following his service in World War 11 he continued to serve in the regular force until 1983. For him Nov. is a particularly sombre month, yet one so fitting a time to remember. "I've always thought there was some- thin rather poetic about the signing of the armistice in World War 1. Maybe tt's the change in the season. We're now getting into the cold weather. The trees are losing their leaves. The gardens and the flowers are gone for another year, and we're preparing ourselves for winter. It's a sombre time, Grey. Dull. And I suppose I've always thought it depicts the tremendous sacrifice of those who didn't return. It is a fitting time to remember," he said. It is at this time of year when moreso than at other times of the year Mr. Golding's thoughts turn to his fallen comrades. "I always think of my graduating class, the class of 1941. Almost without exception we all joined the various branches of the services. And at this time of year I think of the ones that gave their services --and their lives," he said emotionally. "One was shot down while on air operation over the English Channel, one was a commando that stormed the beaches at Normandy, and one was shot down in the far east and died in a Prisoner of War (POW) camp.. These are the things I FRANK GOLDiNG - remember." For veterans talking about the -war years it's painful, yet theimemories are still there. "We each have our memories but when we're talking we like to remember the gopd times -- and there were some good times -- the'leaves and the holidays we had during our military service. The mere fact that we don't talk about it (the bad times) doesn't mean, we don't remember. It's such a waste --the casualties." In addition to remembering his fallen comrades Mr. Golding said his thoughts turn to those who lie in the veterans hospitals. He adds that one can gain tremendous insight into the futility of war by visiting a veterans hospital, or by reviewing the number of casualties evoked by war. In World War 1, 66,655 Canadians lost their lives. A further 44,893 were killed in World War II and 516 in the Korean' Conflict --and' the fighting continues. "If you look at the history books there have always been wars. But if we pray for peace, maybe....We're a peace -loving nation," said Mr. Golding. ' "i eel-fain'ly wouldn't want to go through the horrors of another global war. There isn't a person alive today who is not touched by the actions of the great wars. Even the younger generation, too young to know the horrors, is indirectly touched. War touches everybody." The ceremony of remembrance will continue even after all the vets have passed away. It's a symbol, a symbol of sacrifice." "Though it happened many years ago. 1 still remember. The comrades - the school chums...." Whakthe. poppy means tome BY BONNIE TURNER (Editor's note: Bonnie Turner, a resident of Tuekersmith Township and a student at Central Huron Secondary in Clinton, will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Sunday. Her essay won first place at the national contest of the Royal Canadian Legion.) It was the twelfth of November, the day after Remembrance Day. The autumn morning was cold and dreary, and my mind was as cloudy as the drab sky above. Angry at the world and the people in it, I walked swiftly, lost in my own thoughts. Almost mechanically, I drew my coat around myself and sat down on the seasoned park bench REMEMBRANCE DAY SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 11 A TIME TO REMEMBER PAST SACRIFICES ANSTETT JEWELLERS LTD. Seaforth 527-1720 WE ARE FREE T O CHOOSE BECAUSE OF THEM FRANK KLING LTD. Seaforth 527-1320 beside the cenotaph commemorating the men killed in the World Wars and the Korean War. There 1 stayed, seeing no one who passed by and caring about nothing but my own problems. Then, out of the corner of my eye, i noticed a stooped figure, slowly making his way in the brisk wind. With his head down, and gnarled hands clutching his overcoat, the old gentleman walked as though every step were. an effort. Unaware of myresence. the man stopped nearby. He drew himself up with dignity. His eyes held a look of pride. Following his gaze, 1 saw that the old gentleman's eyes were upon the cenotaph, which was newly laden in wreaths. Probably he was a veteran of one of the world wars. 1 smiled and looked back to him. His eyes were no 1 onger on the monument. He was staring into the grass near the bench where I sat. Tears welled up in his eyes. Sadly he shook his head and started off down the street. I was puzzled. What object could make a man as I had just seen, sp,distressed? My eyes searched the ground'for what was lying there. and there it was - a poppy. it was not even real. Just a simple plastic poppy was on the ground. I frowned. How could such a forlorn little flower make a man so heavy-hearted? What did it matter? Re- membrance Day was already over. Then 1 realized how much that po p! meant. That simple little flower was not jus a scrap of plastic; it stood for importan things. It was peace, and freedom - not only mine • but the peace and freedom of my family, and friends and neighbors. Yet. it was more than these. That pOppy was the soldiers, Soldiers fighting at Vimy Ridge and at Dieppe. It was these men. fighting for their freedom, and freedom for the world. it was their families back home in Canada. lying there on the soggy ground. 1 shrugged. Remembrance Day was over. That poppy wouldn't matter again until next year. 1 tried to think of my own concerns, but 1 couldn't concentrate. My mind wandered. Once again I saw the old man's face as the tears came into his eyes. i saw the poppy, lying in the grass. and 1 was ashamed. Remembering the soldiers who fought for Canada was not just a yearly obligation. Their gift of peace lasts all year round, and so should their memories. 1 had sat here. moments before. angry at the world, when those men loved the world so much that they gave their youth, many their lives for us. These were the people to be grateful to. not just on Remembrance Day. but every day, for they were the ones who earned our freedom. For the first time that day, the world seemed friendly to me, I knelt down, rescued the poppy from the wet grass and proudly pinned it to my coat. The rest of the world might have thought it was just a battered and shabby poppy. out to me it was special - for now 1 knew what it meant. One of the greatest service clubs Behind every good man there's a gond woman. Most people are aware of the Seaforth Legion, its purpose and its accomplishments in the area. Backing them is the Legion Ladies Auxiliary. Consisting of 55 volunteer workers, the Auxiliary was first established in April, 1952. Following a motto of "We Serve" this group of women vowed service to the Royal Canadian Legion, to take care of its veterans and its dependents. For 32 years the Auxiliary in Seaforth has been doing just that, and bas even expanded its generosity to the community. in a given year, members of the Seaforth Ladies Auxiliary have raised close to 550,000 through their various fundraising projects and mostly through the efforts of a catering service. From that amount donations are made to various Legion activities and community projects. Each year the auxiliary provides a 55.000 bursary to the Seaforth Command of the Royal Canadian Legion. in more recent years (Please turn to page All)