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Continued from page 36 Echoes from wartime still sounded decades later. Just last year, George visited an out-of-town furniture store owned by an acquaintance. His casual conversation with a salesperson pro- duced dramatic — and startling — results. “She overheard I was from Port Perry, and asked if I knew the family she’d married into. Just happened they were cousins of mine. “That drew us into deeper discussion. She said she’d come to Canada from Holland after the war as a baby. Her father had nearly died in a German labour camp, and decided to em- “T told her I remembered many such pris- oners making their way home once they were freed, and related the story of the man Brophy had brought in: the meal, the two chocolate bars. “She started to weep. ‘That was my dad,’ she told me. ‘Growing up, he told many times the story of the Canadian soldier and the chocolate. He said that man saved his life.’ “Naturally, I asked if he was still alive. “Yes, he lives at a nursing home, but just had a stroke. It would be too hard on him to see you right now.’ “Eventually, she took me to see him as part We - THE TULIP - 7 mbol of Gratitude and Friendship Every year, the Dutch continue to send 10,000 tulip bulbs to Canada to express their thanks. Thank You to Canada and all the veterans for their part in liberating Holland. sponsored by the Westerman Family 40 FOCUS - NOVEMBER 2014 George Emmerson pictured here standing in front of a HUP truck moments after landing on the beaches of Normandy, France. of Remembrance Day services (2013) at the home. He couldn't speak, but I did see a sparkle in his eyes when I talked to him”. George said he returned another day, even bringing him chocolate to try and jog his memory. “It didn’t work, but we spent time together. What are the odds we'd find each other all these years later?” George’s war was frightening, thrilling, heart-warm- ing, and occasionally even humourous. He’s matter of fact when summarizing the experience. “Tf I'd returned to Canada missing an arm or leg, it wouldn't have seemed as ‘enjoyable’ an experience as some of my stories might make it sound. But I didn’t, and over time, good memories overwhelm the bad ones”. “Sure, I saw lots of ‘bad’ that we didn’t talk about to- day. I don’t tell those parts, out of respect for people who lost loved ones.” Not surprisingly, George has strong feelings about Remembrance Day. He’s succinct in his explanation. “Every soldier’s a hero. Whatever his job, wher- ever he is, he never knows - every day — if he’s going to die.” George would certainly understand how that feels. After all, he was there. By Scott Mercer Focus on Scugog T wil always Remember. @ DIANNE HOOKER Sales Representative 905-985-9777 Por ry Plaza) 1894 Scugog St., Port Perry