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Scugog Citizen -- Tuesday, April 28,1992 = 7 4a VIEWPOINTS John B. McClelland Cathy Ollifte BATTLE OF THE ATLANTIC We received the following note pointing out that this com- ing Sunday, May 3 is an anniversary of the Battle of the Atlantic. The writer, a former Merchant Seaman asked that his name not be made pubhic "All my friends know I was a Merchant Seaman and I'm sure not looking for any personal glory." Fair enough. So here's the letter in its entirety. "Of all the battles of World War 3, none was more critical nor harder fought by Canadians than the Battle of the Atlantic. Victory here was imperative, for without control of the sea, Britain could not be supplied and the ultimate victory would pot be anained. The first Sunday in May is Bale of the Atlantic Sunday; a day to honour those Canadians who braved the menace of the U-boats, the ice and the storms in the lumbering merchant ships and the pitching Corvettes. More than 20 ships of the Canadian Navy and 60 Canadian Merchant ships were lost at sea in the long, bitter battle. In most case, there were few survivors Perhaps it would be fitting, as pan of our observance of Canada's 125th year, to take a few moments on Sunday, May 3, 10 honour and remember those valiant sailors, living and dead, who made that victory at sea possible." How true that the Baule of the Atlantic was pivotal in the ultimate Allied victory over Nazi Germany. Not only did the con- voy from North America keep the British Isles supplied, they camed food and war matenal to the Soviet Union, which was fighting the Nazi Armies virtually alone in 194142. The convoy runs into the Soviet pons of Murmansk and Archangel were mur- derous. Yet without them, the Red Army would have collapsed for lack of muni- tions, tanks, trucks etc., and most certain- ly, millions of Soviet citizens would have starved. The entire course of the war wotld have changed. As a youngster, | was fascinated by stories of the Battle of the Atlantic. My father spent the war designing ships for the Canadian Navy and he had many pho- 10s of the vessels he worked on, including several that were lost at sea. I used to shudder at the thought of being torpedoed in the North Atlantic, where those who didn't go down with the ship, might live a few minutes in the frigid waters. To this day, | have a fear of being trapped in a rapidly sinking ship." So, by all means, let us remember the Battle of the Atlantic on May 3. Of all the major theatres of the war, it was the least "glamourous." Hollywood made many films about the the Battle of Britain or the US Marines storming the Pacific Islands, but I can't recall a movie with John Wayne playing the skipper of a merchant ship on the Murmansk run However, Hollywood or not, without the hardship and sacnfice endured by the brave Canadian sailors, the outcome of the war and the course of history in this century would have been different. TERROR ON THE STREETS Yet another young girl is missing in southern Ontario. The St. Catherines high school student was on her way home from class when she disappeared. Her shoe found near the scene suggests a struggle How many young women have been abducted and murdered in southern Ontario over the last few years? Is there a serial killer on the loose; lurking, waiting to pounce again'? Better minds than mine have tried to figure out just what is going on, why the streets of our cities, towns and villages are more dangerous than ever before. Many say society has become more violent gen- erally and the string of grisly murders and disappearances is just an extension of what happens daily on a lesser degree. The sociologists are having a theoreu- cal field day picking away at this, but for average people, there is nothing but fear. The thought of a daughter or a sister plucked from the street 1s horrifying, the worst mghtmare. Yet, it happens more and more and one can't help but wonder where it will happen next. School yards are jammed with cars moming and aflernoon as parents drive their kids to and from class. Can you blame them? Not in the least. As for youngsters walking home after dark from such things as Brownies, Cubs or music lessons, forget it. What a dismal state of affairs where the streets and parks are filled with fear and loathing, instead of the laughter of children playing. IN CLOSING...The Millar Lights have done it again. Their production of the musical "The King and I" opened at Town Hall 1873 last weekend and plays the next two weekends. These kids never cease to amaze me. | have seen every show the Lights have put on since Tom Please see SUPERB, page 8 Why? It's the big question with no answer, isn't it? And it's a one-word ques- uon being asked by a lot of people. Emiel Kroonenberg, for one. The owner of Emiel's Place Restaurant on Queen St. called me Sunday to say five Canadian flags had been stolen from his restaurant Sawrday might. To celebrate the Kinsmen Club's Proud to be Canadian Tour and Canada's 125th birthday, Emiel purchaséd six Canadian flags and aluminum flagpoles, which he placed at the back of his restaurant some ume Wednesday. On Saturday night, while the restaurant was sull open, somebody tned to steal all six flags. They succeeded in stealing five, and broke tht flagpoles while they were at it. Understandably, Emel 1s angry "Times are tough, and you spend money to try and do something to make things nicer, and look what happens," he said. He's absolutely right. Times ARE tough. Nobody has any extra money to throw around these days, and merchants are under constant pressure Lo support community events. Whether it's buying a $100 Elimination Draw ticket for the Chamber of Commerce, sponsoring a minor softball team, or buying flags for Canada 125 celebrations, local business people are virtually obligated to pull out their wallets and get involved. That's why it's so fr g when you do get involved, and someone rips you off. Emiel wasn't the only one who has had Canadian flags stolen. Dennis Anderson's Chev dealership and the IGA an Queen St both lost flags. And a private resident of Queen St. also lost a new flag. The person's son was so upset, he cried. "It's not the money, but how could somebody steal a flag, our 'colours?" the father asked. Whoever is responsible for these thefts has no conscience, and cares little for the tears of a young boy, or the anger of a busi- nessman. Last week a man reported a flag stolen, there was a piece about it in our paper, and then later, the man found a copy of the story with a coupon for a new flag, and a crypuc little note -- "Sorry. Not." Anyone who is familiar with the movie 'Wayne's Werld' lingo knows that putting Not' after a statement means the preceding statement is false. It's like saying he's not sorry at all. The author of this smart iss note is simply thumbing his nose at ti ic- um of the theft. ThBimbing his nose at a respectable senior citizen. But look where the message is coming from. A real bloody genius. Not. B= UJNsILvED MYgrERY 4 Here's a solemn but handsome young gentleman. He looks vaguely familiar to the statf at the Citizen, but we can't identity him, and either can the folks at Scugog Shores Museum. All they know is that his photo was taken by renowned Port Perry photog- rapher W.H Leopard. But hey, we just lové his Bay City Rollers e tie. If you can ntify this young man, call the museum at 4 * | 985-3589. NAPSHOT OF THE WEEK es Scu606 CITIZENS The poodle and the paparazzi Lifestyles of the rich & famous, who has to wear sunglasses to fend off paparazzi who insist on tak- ing his picture 8 Ih Youd Casey Brown is this week's deserving citi- like to share, zen. He braved high winds in his 'Smartfood' send It to the costume at the Proud to be Canadian Tour Scugog Citizen, Parade on Saturday. We thought we were going fo 2l0% 51, Pov to lose him a few times! Brother Bryon was also So could on hand for the festivities, though in a less-risky get-up. Both boys are active in karate and Scouts, and both agreed Canada is the best country in the whole, wide world. win 'Snapshot of the Year and win a great prize!