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THE NEW TANNERTHURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8 25, 2007 7THE NEW TANNER THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 20076 GRAPEVINE with Mike OLeary The Way I See It I find it challenging to write a meaningful piece every year at Remembrance Day. Not because I have no knowledge of the ter- rible price of war. My parents, uncles and at least one aunt told me about their wartime experi- ences, both at home and abroad. The Brides father was in the Air Force and one of her uncles forever rests at the bottom of the English Channel. His plane was shot down within sight of Eng- land and safety. So, as a couple, we have childhood memories of the pain that has touched both our families. However, we have no firsthand knowledge of the trauma of com- bat. Our generation was fortunate not to have experienced war. Too young for Korea, too old for Iraq and Afghanistan, weve lived our lives in peace. Business, not bul- lets, was, and is, our conflict. I had a great friend, John McHugh, who battled his way up through Italy, then slogged through the Netherlands. When I would ask him, as I often did, to describe his wartime experiences he would smile and look thought- fully away. After a moment of reflection he would regale me with tales of leaves spent searching for wine or other tales of men winding down from this battle or that. But he wouldnt, or couldnt, tell me what the actual battlefronts were like. When I would press him, hed clam up and then change the subject. In talking to other veterans I have noticed the same trait. I as- sume its because the words just wont come easily. IF youve never been in a major battle, or even a minor one, for that matter, you probably couldnt under- stand anyway. I think thats one of the prob- lems the Legion has in promoting Lest We Forget Remembrance Day. Many vets from WWII simply came home, thanked God they survived, and went back to work. At the time they didnt think they had done anything special so they pushed those memories to the back of their brains. About Face In the last ten years or so Ive no- ticed an about face in the attitudes towards our soldiers. Part of the reason is the instantaneous com- munications. We see the images of the macabre and mayhem every night on our TVs. Another big fac- tor is the willingness of young and old vets to speak out about their wartime experiences. My generation had the Vietnam War beamed into our homes every night. Even in those black and white TV days the sights and sounds were disturbing. But perhaps it was be- cause the soldiers dying werent Canadian it was comfortable to imagine that Vietnam was just an- other Hollywood production. That, and the fact that the war seemed to share news programming with demonstrations against the war, created an atmosphere that was al- most surreal. It was easy to assume this was another soap opera here in the safety of Canada. That is not to say that Canadians were not serving overseas. There was a big army base in Picton, where the Bride grew up and she remembers soldiers going off to Cyprus. For many years that seemed to be the fate of Canadian soldiers. Serving Honourably in foreign countries keeping the peace in forgotten wars. Even today, our troops are serving as peacekeepers in many more countries than Afghani- stan. The Afghan mission gets the bulk of our attention, and rightly so. But the troops serv- ing in the Baltics, in Lebanon, in Haiti, and if I remember right, we still have observers in Vietnam who are experienc- ing dangerous and often brutal conditions. Last year, one of our troops, serving as an observer sep- arating Lebanon and Israel, was killed by artillery shelling. Whether or not it was an errant round depends on which side of the conflict you believe. So the point I want to make is that we have a multitude of reasons to remember our fallen soldiers. Not just the ones who made the supreme sacrifice in the major conflicts but also those who perished in the service of our country in far-flung corners of the world. Next Saturday is the official Legion Remembrance Day Ceremony. As usual, I ask you to attend the ceremonies at the Cenotaph downtown in front of the United Church. Bring your children, they are the people who will be expected to keep the faith with those who gave so much for Canada. Remembrance Day ceremonies are as much their heritage as it is yours and mine. Remembrance Day ceremo- nies only take a half-hour or so. Out of the 8,760 hours in a year, thats not too much of a sacrifice is it? I dont think so. Not when you consider that these soldierss gave up so much so we could enjoy our lifestyles. They gave up a lifetime. SWORN IN: Wellington-Halton Hills MPP Ted Arnott was sworn in to the Ontario Legislature for his fifth term on November 1st, 2007. He is pictured here with the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly, Deborah Deller, who administered the Oath of Office. submitted photo Ho Ho Ho Bill Spielvogel wants to re- mind groups or individuals that are wanting to have a float in this years Santa Claus parade, themed a Disney Christmas, can drop off applications at 150 Tanners Drive. Tea Time The Lakeside IODE will be holding a 90th anniversary tea at Knox Presbyterian Church this Saturday from 2 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend. The ladies are also looking for new members as there are only 9 remaining members. The IODE has held dances, bazaars, teas, rummage sales and more. At- tend the tea this Saturday and learn more about becoming a member. Second Showing A Night with Nobility din- ner theatre performed at the old Acton Town Hall was so well received that the group is hold- ing another performance of the show on Saturday, November 24, provided there is enough in- terest. Tickets can be purchased by calling (519) 856-2888 or by e-mail dinnertheatre@humming birdwirless.ca Bazaar Season Bethel Church will be holding a bazaar on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Along with light lunches, baked good (including peanut free) there will be used items, childrens grab barrel and a white elephant table. Proceeds from the bazaar in the past have been used to purchase cows in Africa, stock medical clinics and adopt a World Vision Child. Another bazaar is being held on Friday (tomorrow) at 19 Turtle Lake Drive from 6-9 p.m. Benefits from the bazaar will go to the Weekend to End Breast Cancer. The bazaar will have candles, home dr, cosmetics, cooking items and more. Calling New Parents Calling New Parents is a free program for parents of children under 6 months. Held by Halton Region and a public health nurse, the weekly meeting dis- cusses parenting and infant care. For more information call 1-866-442-5866 Calling Parents to Be Also held by Halton Region is a prenatal program Healthi- est Babies Possible. Sessions include getting started, getting ready and the impending birth. Early registrations are encour- aged and can be done by calling 1-866-442-5866 Flushed Halton Region kicked off their 2007 Halton Residential Ultra Low Flow Toilet Rebate Pilot Program. The program is offer- ing a rebate to Halton residents who are on the municipal water supply and install an approved water efficient toilet in their home. Holiday Exchange As a part of Project Porch- light, Acton has been chosen as a holiday light exchange com- munity. On Sunday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Acton Home Hardware, residents can bring in one set of old style Christmas lights for recycling then purchase one set of new SLED lights and in exchange they will receive an additional string of SLEDS FREE! There is no limit on the amount of old style lights you can recycle, al- though consumers are reminded they are limited to one set of the free lights. Whats Your Beef? Put it in a letter to the Editor! Deadline is Tuesday at noon.