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Section Two The Canadian Statesman. Bowmanville. November 4. 1987 3 Award Winning Legion Essay The Answers Every Remembrance Day, it was the same. I'd find myselflistening to a voice, whether it was a clergyman's or a veteran's, veteran's, requesting a moment moment of silence to, "Remember "Remember Our War Dead". As heads bowed, I'd listen listen to the silence. Looking Looking around, I could see that everyone was deep in thought, as was I, but instead of remembering those who died overseas, I was always asking myself myself the same questions: "Who should I think about during these designated designated moments of remembrance? remembrance? Who were these people who went to war? and finally, "Why should I remember them? The questions were barely formed in my mind when the sixty seconds seconds were up, and life went on as usual. I realize now, that one minute minute does not allow much time to search for answers. But there is a special day reserved for just that purpose; I had only to take advantage of it. Who were these men and women who went to war? I had always thought of veterans as the old people who marched proudly along a parade route every November November eleventh. Had I stopped to think, I would have realized that they were, and still are, ordinary ordinary people who've done extraordinary things. After the parades and church services are over, these soldiers go back to being parents and grandparents. grandparents. They are real. I had never fully grasped this fact before. But there is something very special about them. All those who fought share a bond that anyone who has not been to war cannot cannot understand. Their unity seems to be symbolized symbolized in their very gait as they march together. Always perfectly in step, they move as one. For this closeness, they are to be envied. The first and second World Wars did draw people together, and I think these conflicts pulled our nation together together as well. In a sense, the World Wars, especially World War II when we fought under our own flag, were Canada's Canada's wars of independence. independence. Through these battles, Canadians proved themselves and the nation was proud. It's been said that soldiers went to war as Albertans and Nova Scotians, but they came home Canadians. Canadians. So, today's veterans are those men and women who returned home from war to a country country which they had helped to make stronger. But who were the men and women who went to war so many years ago, some never to return? Before, I had thought of those who served as brave men and women, who fought for their children, children, and for their children's children's children. Now I find my definition of adulthood has changed. As my friends and I get closer and closer to being eighteen, I no longer think of that age as being the magic time when a child becomes an adult. When Canada was at war, however, people this age and even younger went overseas where they fought and died. They were pushed into adulthood whether they were ready or not. Even those who did not lose their lives made a great sacrifice. They gave up their youth. Who were these soldiers, soldiers, then? They were Moms and Dads, yes, but they were also sons and daughters. They were college students and they were newlyweds. Collectively, they were the young people of the nation. What were their reasons for enlisting? There are as many dif ferent reasons for volunteering volunteering as there are names on war monuments monuments across the country. country. Perhaps, to some, the idea of going to war was an exciting and romantic prospect. Many went to war in search of these elements of adventure and excitement excitement that may have been absent in their everyday lives. I am certain, however, that most of the people who chose to fight knew what going to war really meant. They knew it would be painful, frightening, and real. They weren't heroes because because they faced death and felt no fear; they were heroes because they were frightened but they went anyway. I think the one thread that ran through the fab ric of all their thoughts was their belief in Canada Canada as a free country. To each, the idea of a Canada without the freedoms freedoms we now take for granted was an unacceptable unacceptable one. They went to war to ensure that such a Canada would never be. Why should I remember remember Canada's war dead? I believe that people never die as long as their memory is kept alive. I think it's up to us to remember remember those who died so that in a sense, their deaths will never be final. We, the youth of today, owe that much to the youth of yesterday. --Alison Meadows, Port Morien, N.S. (Award-winning senior essay) Wartime Sacrifices Made in Canada "The Brave" They say a spirit never dies Until its memory fades, From the souls of those people who mourned o'er the grave. They say a heart always sings Its song spun of gold, Until it becomes an echo In the memories, grow 1 -; ingold. ? They say a hero never dies His spirit soars o'er the land, But how often do we weaken When it's our turn to take a stand? Yet even as the men march by and the crowds stare and stand, Do we forget the courage It took to become a man? And as their spirits bravely fight And the pride gleams in each eye, Do we forget the song of a heart And how often it became a cry? We must not forget the hero And his spirit which never fades For we must keep the fire bright When it's our turn to be "The Brave". Carla Pittman çand Falls, Nfld. ïward winning senior poem) As we watch the Remembrance Remembrance Day ceremonies ceremonies each year, our attention attention focuses on war veterans. They, after all, are the ones who went to war and suffered through the horrors of combat. But they weren't the only Canadians to suffer, for war has no respect respect for age or sex. The horror that Canadians Canadians faced at home was of a different kind, the kind that made people watch their front gate and hope that the telegraph telegraph boy wouldn't show up with a telegram from the Department of National National Defence reporting that a husband or a son had been killed. During the Second World War, more than 40,000 such telegrams arrived in Canadian homes. Twenty years earlier, during the First World War, more than 60,000 of these telegrams were sent. But concerns and worries worries about loved ones weren't the only hardships faced by the people who stayed home when Canada went to war. Younger Canadians probably haven't heard of rationing, but it was very well known during the war. Canada had a small population when the Second World War started, about half of what it is today, and most of our factories were busy producing the arms and ammunition and ships our armed forces needed. That meant there weren't enough factories to make the foods, the cars and the other goods we are accustomed accustomed to. IN FLANDERS FIELDS In Flanders Fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row That mark our place; and in the sky The Larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders Fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch, be yours to hold it high If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders Fields. GOODYEAR CANADA INC. BOWMANVILLE ..at the going down of the sun and in the morning we will remember them. " PRESTON MOVING & STORAGE LTD. 420 Baseline Rd. W.. Box 160. Bowmanville. Ontario UC 3K9 Honor the Dead... Help the Living. Buy a Poppy... Wear It Proudly. PETLEY-HARE INSURANCE BROKERS 181 CHURCH ST. BOWMANVILLE Because goods were scarce, the Government decided that the only way to ensure that people got their fair share was to ration the goods. Canadians were given coupons that allowed allowed them to buy a certain certain amount of butter, gasoline, and food each week. Without the coupons, prices would have risen drastically, but rationing also meant that many of the things that had been taken for granted, like Sunday drives and large meals, were no longer possible. There were more serious inconveniences too, because because there could be problems getting to work, or to a doctor's appointment. appointment. When the war finally ended in 1945, there were huge celebrations in Toronto, Winnipeg, and other cities. Why were people so happy? Mainly, of course, because because peace meant no more long casualty lists and no more sad telegrams. telegrams. But Canadians were also happy because they knew that their lives could once more return return to normal, and that the sacrifices of the war years were behind them. The poppies that Canadians Canadians wear every year during the Royal Canadian Canadian Legion's Poppy Campaign are one way of showing that these sacrifices sacrifices haven't been forgotten. forgotten. 623-6100 1 Br. 178 Royal Canadian Legion Bowmanville, Ontario Poppy Fund Financial Statement Oct. 1.1986 -- Sept. 30. 1987 Current Account #1001-848 (Bank of Montreal) Chequing Acct. Bank Balance Sept. 30,1986 $746.42 Receipts Transfers from Savings Account to Chequing 14.500.00 Total on Hand $15,246.42 $15,246.42 Expenditures Service Bureau Expenses, inch mileage $100.22 Veterans' Assistance (Transients) 115.00 Sick and Visiting Expenses 513.34 Student Literary and Poster Contest expenses 322.85 Campaign and Advertising expenses 737.84 Supplies, cards and postage 252.90 Christmas donations and expenses 2,349.54 Costs of wreaths, poppies, crosses and supplies 4,768.86 Miscellaneous expenses and bank charges 306.03 Community Care (Meals on Wheels) 750.00 Donations to Charitable Organizations Sunnybrook "K" Wing Veterans 250.55 Sunnybrook Hospital Fund re equipment 1,500.00 Bowmanville Memorial Hospital (Recliners) 1,398.00 Courtice North Public School (Xmas) 175.00 Beaverton Legion Donation re Fire S.QQlQQ. Total Disbursements $14,040.13 $14.040.13 Bank Balance on Hand, Sept. 30,1987 $1,206.29 Poppy Trust Funds - Savings Account #5072-272 8,653.47 (Bank Balance Sept. 30,1986) Receipt^ Deposits re sale of wreaths and poppy donations 14,696.84 Bank Interest ($234.11 and $265.27) .499,38 Total $23,849.69 Expenditures Transfers made to chequing acct. $14.,5QQ.,Q.Q. Cash on Hand in Bank Sept. 30/87 $9349.69 $9349.69 Total of Bank Balances Sept. 30, 1987.... $10,555.98 Nyhl Sheehan, Poppy Chmn. Stan. L. Dunn, Auditor