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A 2 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday November 13, 2002 Tribute to Canadian heroes Major Braddock said while we sometimes view our heroes as more than mere mortals, what makes the veterans so extraordinary is that they are just as human as the rest of us, but left the comfort of their towns and cities in order to serve and die. "They are a special kind of human," said Major Braddock, adding that the survivors also returned home to help build their communities. During the two minutes of silence, wide-eyed toddlers ogled the flags and countless polished medals of veterans who have seen too much as gold leaves spun to earth, one lingering for a moment on the beret of a diminutive lady veteran balanced on her walking stick. This interlude was followed by the laying of wreaths by area dignitaries, which joined those already placed at the cenotaph by private citizens and businesses. Then, as the colour parties left the square, the vets who marched behind them - some with canes and walkers - were applauded by the spectators of all ages in the park and lining Trafalgar Road. Smiles and laughter might not seem in keeping with the solemnity of the occasion, but following the ceremony the humour that helped many veterans cope with their ordeals was very much in evidence. Charles Cosman, trombone, and Gerald Gateman, trumpet, fondly reminisced about how they met dur ing World War II as musicians in the Canadian Army Staff Band and served together for six years. (Only four members of the ensemble still live.) Like many others interviewed, Gateman used the word "resur gence" to describe the current groundswell of interest and empa thy in their honourable wartime efforts and could only attribute its momentum to recent tragic world events. With war imminent in Iraq and four Canadian servicemen slain in Afghanistan, Cosman and Gateman's thoughts turned to the future and the prospect of sending a new generation of soldiers off to fight. In the meantime, it warmed both their hearts to see the number of residents out Monday to pay trib ute. "This is the biggest we've ever seen it," said Cosman. (Continued from page 1) 2003 FO C U S SE SEDAN M o re G o o d ie s . O n ly A F e w D o lla rs M o re ! 2003 FO C U S SE W AG ON A G re a t M in lv a n A lte rn a tiv e ! 2003 FO C U S ZX3 L o o k in g G o o d . 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O R , D R IV E AW AY T H E B E S T S E L L IN G C A R IN T H E W O R L D W IT H N O T H IN G D O W N , P U R C H A S E O R L E A S E . d* ^ 1 1 PURCHASE* NO Down Payment NO Payments For 90 Days NO Interest For 90 Days On most new in-stock 2003 Ford 4* I LEASE1 NO Down Payment NO Security Deposit NO First Month Payment (Ford makes your first payment) On most new in-stock 2003 Ford |Y E A R M O Q .O O O k m See dealer fo r details. £>AK-LAND as \k\rr\r^ nn* i m FORD LINCOLN 570 Trafalgar Rd., Oakville ATTHEQ.LW. Barrie Erskine · Oakville Beaver Karen Robertson-Lander car ried the Lest We Forget Flag for the ceremony. Not all local vets were able to make it to the ceremony, however, but in at least one instance the event came to them: a group of Lome Scots cadets left George's Square and visited them at Sunrise Assisted Living. For many, it was back to Bronte Legion for egg salad sandwiches, ale and all manner of kind words from local politicians, guests and the veterans themselves. As an associate Legion member, Victor Bannan believes Canada's peace keeping'efforts in Bosnia and the four Afghanistan friendly fire deaths have a lot to do with the cur rent wave of support. "It's great," he said. "Best crowd I've seen in a while." Earlier in the day, Major Braddock called the unprecedented attendance a "resurgence of this day to remember." Proof, he said, is the sheer volume of poppies distributed this year, which raise money to allow the Legion to carry out its invaluable community work. The Salvation Army Band's Taylor also said he was impressed with the turnout. "I've been a member of the Salvation Army my whole life and today was great," he said. John Savitizski, who has been stationed at the Canadian Force Bases in Petawawa for 17 years, spent the day with his wife Rose rather than attend the memorial service at the base. "This has been our first remem brance ceremony together in 15 years," said Rose, who lost her father during the Korean War. "John and I have known each other since we were six years old, and since then both of our parents have encouraged us to attend these serv ices out of respect. "Both of us were brought up to believe in Remembrance Day and our veterans," Rose continued. "This is a part of our heritage." Honorary Legion member Pastor Doug Bramer and wife Vera traveled back in time as they described their experiences with the war effort. "I had a scar on my lung and wasn't able to fight," said Bramer, who for the past decade has worked at the Hopedale Bible Chapel. "My three brothers fought in the armed forces. One came back wounded while in Italy and the other two were okay." Oakville Fire Department Captain Gerry Lieferink said veter ans represent the embodiment of the ideals to which fire fighters aspire and contact between them underscores what the vets gave for the freedom we all enjoy every day. "It brings a closer connection to our military traditions," said Lieferink, adding that many fire fighters also attended Sunday's Bronte memorial service. Halton Regional Police Inspector Bill Ford, an oiganizer of this past summer's successful veter ans tribute at Appleby College, was similarly gratified by the town's outpouring of support. "This is a day of expressing thanks for the peace that these vets fought and gave their lives for, to understand that peace comes at a very high cost but that we will never forget that sacrifice," he said. While admiring the older vets, Oakville MP Bonnie Brown said she found it hard Monday not to focus on the cadets, on those of age to be sent to fight a war in Iraq, which might escalate beyond what anyone conceives - all the more rea son to "dedicate ourselves to peace." "This is a big day for the Legion and a big day for Canada," she said. Mayor Ann Mulvale also plead ed for peace, but said that if Saddam Hussein crosses the line again, Canada will play a proud role in his defeat. "I just hope we don't have to send people into harm's way," she said. a sM X 905-844-3273 I I 2[ I w w w .o a kla n d fo rd lin co ln .ca L e t's Join us for our Fresh Greens Event! Sat. Nov. 16th, O u td o o r s! c\ e C ( ) IH lle th e T he H ostess J ujme @ 905-8457675 FREE ADM ISSION * Door Prizes Fashion Show h r is tm a s C a c tu s (4 1 /2 " p o t) R e g . $ 3 .4 9 e a . for the first 100 C ustom ers with any purchase of $ 1 0 .0 0 or more! Valid o n Saturday, N o v e m b e r 1 6 only. Lim it o n e C h r is t m a s C a c t u s p e r c u s to m e r. T h is is not a c o u p o n . 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