A special Remembrance Day memory

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/11/2021 (560 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Most schools organize some type of Remembrance Day ceremony or assembly, and I have noted that students and their family members who are in Scouts, Guides or the military, are often invited to wear their uniforms to participate in this special observance.

While working at Golden Gate Middle School several years ago, the administration had also encouraged family veterans to bring photos and service items of significance to our Remembrance Day assembly.

One student’s grandfather walked into the office to get directions to the gym, and began to relay the history behind the medals he had brought. I don’t know what I expected, but I was surprised when he shared vivid details of his military battles and tragic events of his brothers-in-arms.

As tears began to well up in his eyes, I offered him a seat, thanked him for his bravery, and offered my condolences on the loss of his young comrades.

Before he left the office, he told me that he hadn’t looked at his medals in many years, and had never shared their background with anyone in his family — not even his wife. He was ashamed of some things he had done in battle and wanted to put it behind him.

For some reason, when his grandson asked him to share this year, he decided it was time.

This encounter affected me as few others have. Please take time to thank a veteran — and not only on Nov. 11.  They may share their stories with you, or it may simply be enough just to offer a smile and a kind word.

Lest we forget.

☐ ☐ ☐

I have a correction to make regarding last month’s article, entitled “In the pilot’s seat – a water bomber pilot shares,” (The Metro, Oct. 27, 2021).  

My interview with Lyle Shabaga did not take place during my tour of Babcock Aviation. Mr. Shabaga flies the same type of water bombers for the government of Ontario. Many thanks to the pilots, from all of us down below.
 
Wanda Prychitko is a community correspondent for St. James-Assiniboia. Contact wprychitko@yahoo.ca