Honouring those who have served and sacrificed

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/11/2015 (3595 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

With a catch in his voice, Bruce Miles paid tribute to an old friend, shot down during a bombing run over Dusseldorf, and then rescued after a five-month trek through Holland as German troops retreated.

Speaking to a standing-room only crowd at the Remembrance Day service at the RBC Convention Centre, Miles said it was courage, luck and perseverance that allowed Ned Sparkes, the RCAF pilot of a Halifax bomber, to survive a parachute jump into a muddy marsh and then make an epic trek through occupied Holland, surviving with the help of Dutch farm families before being rescued by British soldiers. 

Sparkes later emigrated to Canada. He died a few years ago at age 93.

But Miles, the reverend who gave the key address at Wednesday’s service, said it’s not just war heroes such as Sparkes who must be honoured on Nov. 11, but also the “unremembered,” especially the dozens of soldiers who committed suicide in recent years following tours in Afghanistan.

“I think we have to remember today not only Korea, Bosnia, Yugoslavia, the Cold War, Afghanistan, the Persian Gulf — all places where Canada and Canadians have been more than spectators,” Miles said. “Those who are casualties from the Afghan war suffering from PTSD, we remember them this day, as well… If we don’t remember, who will?”

More than 5,500 people gathered for the city’s biggest Remembrance Day service, packing the convention centre for the ceremony that featured hymns, scripture readings and sermons.
Federal Heritage Minister Mélanie Joly, Premier Greg Selinger and Mayor Brian Bowman joined veterans, cadets, the RCMP and others to lay wreaths, and Lt. Gov. Janice Filmon presided over the event.

The service began with the marching in of the veterans colour parties, including the ladies auxiliary, United Nations peacekeepers, indigenous veterans, the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans (ANAVETS) and 500 Wing of the Royal Canadian Air Force.

“We recognize that all our veterans have given a part of themselves for this country,” said Cpt. Karyne Richard, the event’s master of ceremonies. “Some have given it all.”

She said this year marks the 70th anniversary of victory in Europe — VE Day — that ended the Second World War in Europe. More than 42,000 Canadians died in the Atlantic and European theatres and 54,000 were wounded.

Richard noted the 175th anniversary of the ANAVETS in Canada, the country’s oldest veterans association, established in 1840.
Winnipeggers gathered at Vimy Ridge Memorial Park, Bruce Park, HMCS Chippawa and at Royal

Canadian Legions across the city for Nov. 11 events.
In a statement, Selinger said Manitobans should keep the phrase “lest we forget” in their minds year-round.

“As we reflect in silence this year, also remember those who continue to fight for our freedom — the freedom to think, freedom to speak, freedom to love and freedom to choose,” Selinger wrote.

This year, nearly every legion in the city had a service and luncheon, prompting Hugh and Val Johnson to worry attendance at the convention centre might shrink.

But, as the seats around them filled up, the Johnsons said they were encouraged by the number of young people, children and non-veterans packing the hall.

“If they keep doing that, we’ll never forget,” she said.

The couple, both longtime members of the Selkirk Avenue Legion, had uncles and cousins who fought in the Second World War, mostly in Italy and France. Hugh Johnson, 80, said he was too young to sign up, but watched his older cousins go to war.

The couple said they were disheartened to learn about the toll combat had taken on veterans of the war in Afghanistan. A recent Globe and Mail investigation found more than 50 soldiers committed suicide when they returned from war, and Val Johnson said it’s clear more must be done for returning soldiers.

“I think he’ll keep his word,” said Hugh Johnson of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who pledged lifetime pensions for injured veterans and millions more for veterans services.

“I’m a ‘wait and see’ person,” said Val. “In a way, talk is cheap.”

maryagnes.welch@freepress.mb.ca