Volume - 2 Edition 22 Week Ending June 7, 2008 IN THIS ISSUE T.O. students will stand on the · T.O. students will stand on the beaches where so many of this old soldier's beaches where so many of friends died -- and D-Day will come alive this old soldier's friends died -- · Show of patriotism pays tribute to fallen soldiers and D-Day will come alive · Bill Weido · Helen MacRae saluted for her dedication to veterans · Second World War's 'kids' hit their 80s · Call For Letters For Past President Lloyd Mark · Canadian Soldier Killed in Afghanistan · Remembering Polish soldiers who trained in Niagara-on-the-Lake 90 years ago · Royal Visitor for Sunnybrook's Veterans · British pensioners living in Canada still seeking fairness · 1896 and all that Reserve troops of the Canadian 3rd Division · Minister Issues Statement on the Occasion of D-Day coming ashore at Bernières, Nan sector, · Former RCMP officers to file class-action suit over pension deductions Juno Beach, on D-Day, June 6, 1944. · Effort benefits Afghan children Credit: National Archives of Canada; photo, · On soldier's 'longest day,' he saved his comrades Gilbert Milne; neg. no. PA137013 · Prince Edward pays tribute to military families during visit to Winnipeg They will walk in his footsteps through · Veterans fear Canadians forgetting sacrifices: poll the killing fields of war. · B.C. family reunited with stolen war medals four decades after break-in · Government 'ignoring' atomic veterans, widow says Tomorrow they will follow this old · Royal Visitor for Sunnybrook's Veterans soldier across the Atlantic, these fresh- · Veteran of Second World War has British army medals stolen in Burlington, faced Lawrence Park Collegiate Ont students almost the same age he was · Wartime pilots to hold last parade when he first shipped out 69 years ago. · Celebrate Canada Day in Fenelon Falls · Veteran left behind rare heirloom: D-Day invasion map Back then, 17-year-old Bruce Melanson · Remembering D-Day: June 6, 1944 thought enlisting in World War II was · On Juno Beach his ticket to adventure. "Really and · The final battle: remembering D-Day's veterans truly, we were going over there for · D-Day: The most impressive thing he's ever witnessed excitement, not realizing, believe me, · D-Day F.A.Q. that this was a war. We didn't think of · History hits home that," he will tell these 31 kids. · Hundreds turn out to support troops "When we got to France, me and my · D-DAY Children help veterans honour bravery, sacrifice buddy looked at each other -- he died · Veteran's hard won medals vanish from Legion over there -- and said, 'My God, this is · Korea Veterans Association Receives Federal Support for 55th Anniversary war. No more girls, no more pubs, no Event more anything.' How terrible it was after that." For the 86-year-old veteran, this week's trip to Juno Beach and Vimy Ridge is the realization of a long dream to bring Toronto students over to see first hand what Canadian troops accomplished in the two world wars. It was an idea first born at Remembrance Day ceremonies several years back when he looked around him and realized how thin the The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Page 1 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 Week Ending June 7, 2008 ranks of his contemporaries had To some, it looked like a display of a vehicle packed with explosives in become. patriotism put on by an organization August 2006, travelled all the way from mired in controversy. Regina to take part in the rally and said They will walk in his footsteps through she was moved by the outpouring of the killing fields of war. But to the hundreds of drivers and support she saw along the highway. motorcyclists who retraced the journey Tomorrow they will follow this old fallen soldiers take when they are "It means a lot to me to come and see soldier across the Atlantic, these fresh- repatriated to Canada, the first "Red that the people are still remembering faced Lawrence Park Collegiate Rally" from Trenton, Ont., to Toronto our boys and girls and just showing students almost the same age he was was just a way to show their respects to support for our troops," said Braun. when he first shipped out 69 years ago. soldiers who have paid the ultimate "For me, I wanted to come down that price. highway without my dead son in front of Back then, 17-year-old Bruce Melanson me." thought enlisting in World War II was Journeying along the stretch of his ticket to adventure. "Really and Highway 401, now known as the All proceeds from the Red Rally are to truly, we were going over there for Highway of Heroes, an eclectic mix of go toward the Canadian Hearing excitement, not realizing, believe me, veterans, bikers and patriotic Society to support Canadian Forces that this was a war. We didn't think of Canadians of all ages took to the road veterans. that," he will tell these 31 kids. waving Canadian flags from their Noting his parents were liberated by windows and from the backs of their "When we got to France, me and my Canadian troops in the Netherlands Harleys. buddy looked at each other -- he died during World War II, Muntz said he over there -- and said, 'My God, this is Despite storm clouds overhead and the founded the Red Fridays Foundation of war. No more girls, no more pubs, no controversy surrounding the lack of Canada out of a deep respect for the more anything.' How terrible it was after charitable status of the Red Fridays soldiers. "I was taught to always that." Foundation that organized the rally, a respect this country for what they had few hundred people gathered at the done for our family. This is just For the 86-year-old veteran, this week's rally's finish line in Downsview Park in something I wanted to do out of my trip to Juno Beach and Vimy Ridge is support of the event. Still, it wasn't quite heart." the realization of a long dream to bring the turnout organizers had expected. Toronto students over to see first hand Sunday, June 01, 2008 what Canadian troops accomplished in "We had some bad press and I think Brett Popplewell, The Star the two world wars. It was an idea first that brought our numbers down," said Section: Afghanistan born at Remembrance Day ceremonies Brian Wilkins, spokesperson for the several years back when he looked rally organizers, alluding to suggestions around him and realized how thin the made by the original founders of the Bill Weido ranks of his contemporaries had Red Fridays campaign – a grassroots become. movement to drum up support for Canadian troops overseas – that some Sunday, June 01, 2008 military families were not onside with MICHELE MANDEL, The Toronto Sun the rally. Section: Veterans Wilkins and Red Fridays Foundation founder Brian Muntz had anticipated Show of patriotism pays more than 1,000 vehicles would take tribute to fallen soldiers part in the procession. In the end, only 510 motorcycles (ridden primarily by We are sorry to announce that Bill Canadian Army veterans), 130 cars Weido is in The Grand River Hospital,I and a bus – all adorned with Canadian will be visiting him this week,and will flags – took part in the rally. keep you updated on his progress. The rally also included 83 red vehicles, Sunday, June 01, 2008 one for each of the 83 Canadians who Norma Ash have died in Afghanistan, and a painted Section: Sick and Visiting transport truck depicting a Canadian Forces motif and a bus loaded with the Helen MacRae saluted for her relatives of 13 deceased soldiers. dedication to veterans All were greeted by cheering A woman waves a Canadian flag as a supporters at every overpass along the Entertaining veterans never gets old for procession of red cars moves west along highway, something Muntz says the Helen MacRae. Highway 401 past the Mill St. bridge in families of the deceased don't always The 82-year-old Charlottetown resident Newcastle to Toronto, part of a fundraising appreciate. event organized to support the troops. has been bringing cheer to servicemen Credit: RICK MADONIK/TORONTO STAR But Patti Braun, the 50-year-old mother since the mid-1940s —and she is still going strong. Media controversy surrounding of Cpl. David Braun, who died when a organizer dampens turnout. Canadian supply convoy was struck by “I plan to do it as long as they want me Page 2 The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Week Ending June 7, 2008 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 to," she said. “I enjoy it. I’m in good heart and soul of veterans. She sees The early years of the war decimated health. I love what I do." their eyes well up to wartime standards the ranks of Canada's officer corps, so like the White Cliffs of Dover. the country went looking for POMs -- potential officer material. She recalls one veteran who had not been able to move at all for years Newspaper ads called for "bright Grade suddenly tapping a foot to the music as 13 graduates" to enlist and volunteer she played the keyboard. for officer training. The first 200-plus volunteers joined in 1942 and were “That shows that music gets through trained in technically demanding fields even if they can’t communicate," she such as artillery and engineering. said. “That was quite a moving experience to see that. You bring joy to The following year, with losses among someone else and it comes back to the first university course graduates you." high, a call went out to form the Second Canadian University Army Course. For the past five years, MacRae has There were 225 volunteers. The organized a concert entitled We’ll Meet youngest was 17 and the oldest 19. Again. They gathered at the University of Veterans Affairs Minister Greg Thompson The concert, featuring wartime music, Toronto and were from all parts of talks with Helen MacRae of Charlottetown is held in the atrium of the Veterans Canada, but mainly Ontario. At that after she received the Minister of Veterans Affairs headquarters in Charlottetown point, the war seemed destined to grind Affairs Commendation during a ceremony in each spring and on, and grind up the country's best and Halifax Friday. fall. brightest. Credit: The Guardian MacRae has been striking the right Veterans eagerly anticipate the In the early months of 1944, military chord with veterans for years as an afternoon of singing, dancing and planners started to breathe easier. accompanist for the Canada reminiscences. Volunteers in the second course were told it was unlikely their services would Remembers Chorus, which is “They will shake your hands be needed. The attrition rate among composed primarily of current or former afterwards," said MacRae. “They love officers had been high, but field Veterans Affairs Canada employees in to hear the songs." Charlottetown. promotions had been successful. On- MacRae, however, never worked for Monday, June 02, 2008 the-job training produced good officers, Veterans Affairs. Jim Day, The Guardian too. Section: Veterans Her career has been as a teacher, Many in the second university wave musician, choir director and composer. volunteered for service before She has been a familiar sight and Second World War's 'kids' hit graduation, and before D-Day on June sound at the keyboard with the Canada their 80s 6, 1944, going into action without officer Remembers Chorus, which entertains status. Five of them were killed. veterans in legion halls, nursing homes When the war ended, most veterans of and other venues. the Second Canadian University She has put in about 200 performances Course were only 20 years old and still with the choir, mostly on P.E.I. but also in Canada. a handful in Amherst, Nova Scotia. One of them was Vince Vaughan of MacRae was recognized Friday in Kanata. A Toronto native, he was Halifax for her dedication to veterans. among those who answered that last She received the Minister of Veterans call for officers. He's also one of those Affairs Commendation, which is who believes the war years had a awarded annually to individuals who Canada's youngest veterans of the Second profound beneficial effect on Canada, World War are now at the average age of in that it broke down the country's class have contributed in an exemplary 84, and during the recent Tulip Festival, 47 manner to the care and well-being of structure. Until then, the chances of of "the kids" gathered at the Novotel Ottawa poor kids getting a university education veterans or to the remembrance of the to assess their lives to this point. contributions, sacrifices and were slim. "Suddenly you realized you achievements of veterans. Most of them never saw battle, but they were just as good as anybody else, and were ready and willing to give their lives money wasn't a deciding factor." She was deeply touched to be among the eight recipients in Halifax and the Canada's youngest veterans of the These youngest veterans still show an lone recipient from P.E.I. Second World War are now at the appreciation for Canada as a country. average age of 84, and during the For decades, we've watched veterans “Very over-awed," she said in a recent Tulip Festival, 47 of "the kids" groups fight for compensation for their telephone interview shortly after the gathered at the Novotel Ottawa to war years. They had causes that were ceremony, “I was so shocked to get it." assess their lives to this point. just, but the media exposure distorted MacRae knows music touches the the story that most veterans were Pretty darn good, was the consensus. satisfied and proud to have served. The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Page 3 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 Week Ending June 7, 2008 None seem more satisfied than these, Call For Letters For Past encountered insurgents who attacked the youngest. There was no guest President Lloyd Mark with small arms fire. Capt Leary was speaker at the convention's major struck while the soldiers were returning dinner. fire and repositioning. Close air support was called in and the enemy was "We just wanted to talk," said Mr. defeated. Vaughan. "And what I heard most was how lucky most of us felt that we lived in a country that offered such opportunities to its veterans -- even those of us who were potential officers who didn't see action." Young men who would have stayed on farms or been steered into mining and lumbering, suddenly had an opportunity to study medicine, engineering, law or anything they wanted. (Mr. Vaughan studied agriculture.) Class structures were shattered, and Canada benefited. For most of the youngest vets, it was their first chance to view the Canadian Our thoughts and prayers are with Capt War Museum, opened in May 2005. Since Lloyd lived in Kingston, we are Leary’s family and friends during this Here, too, there was good news for the planning on holding a remembrance very difficult time. We are deeply country's leaders and planners. Mr. service for Lloyd as part of the next saddened by the loss of Capt. Leary. In Vaughan says he heard nothing but general body meeting. his memory, and in memory of those praise for the museum and its displays. The event will include a dedication of a who have gone before, we will increase One of the telltale signs that these wreath and presentation of poppies by our resolve to bring peace and stability university vets are the kids of the the members present. Following the to the people of Afghanistan. veterans is that they have no intention service the wreath and pictures and or Family mourns Canadian shot dead in of folding up their organization. It isn't video of the event will be delivered to Afghanistan unusual at other veterans' meetings to Lloyd's wife and family. Manitoba-based soldier Canada's 85th hear talk of the last gathering. Largely As part of the package it would be nice fatality in Afghanistan through the efforts of Bill MacDonald of to include letters of condolences, Doug Schmidt, Canwest News Service Hastings, the former POMs have been perhaps some that include happy Published: Tuesday, June 03, 2008 kept together through information memories of Comrade Lloyd. KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - loops. There's talk of holding the next A Canadian officer leading his troops to meeting along the Seaway. If you would like to include such a letter, please deliver it to the Steward safety after a foot patrol came under It's easy to believe Ottawa is populated on duty to the attention of Comrade attack Tuesday, and was killed by by grouches. We gripe over the inability First-Vice President Michael Fenton, or enemy small-arms fire, the deputy to make needed changes in the growth e-mail it to commander of Joint Task Force of the city, but visitors to the capital Michael Fenton. Afghanistan said. during the Tulip Festival don't see Capt. Richard Steve Leary, 32, a those problems. They see greenery Monday, June 02, 2008 platoon commander with the 2nd and parks and flowers, and buildings to Webmaster Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian be proud of. Section: Branch News Light Infantry, based at Canadian For 47 veterans now 84 years old, the Forces Base Shilo in Manitoba, died capital is the symbol of the country they Canadian Soldier Killed in four weeks to the day after another were willing to give their lives for. It has Afghanistan Canadian soldier was shot and killed evolved into something of which to be while on a similar foot patrol in the proud. It's a city of parks and flowers OTTAWA– One Canadian soldier was same area rife with Taliban insurgent and history. killed today at approximately 9:30 a.m., activity west of Kandahar City. Kandahar time. The Canadian soldier Sometimes those of us who live here was killed by direct fire when a joint "The soldiers returned fire, and under forget to look around. We can benefit Afghan-Canadian dismounted security Capt. Leary's leadership, repositioned, from taking a look at ourselves as patrol came under small arms fire from when he was struck," said Col. Jamie others see us. What they see is, those insurgents in the Panjwayi District. Cade, deputy-commander, Joint Task of us who live here are lucky. The fallen soldier is Captain Richard Force Afghanistan. Monday, June 02, 2008 (Steve) Leary of the 2nd Battalion, "On behalf of the entire task force, I Dave Brown, The Ottawa Citizen Princess Patricia Canadian Light would like to extend our deepest Section: Veterans Infantry, from Shilo, Manitoba. condolences to the family and friends of During their patrol, the soldiers Capt. Leary," he said, adding, "Capt. Page 4 The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Week Ending June 7, 2008 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 Leary was what we in uniform are helicopter to the Role 3 multinational setbacks. expected to be - Capt. Leary was a medical facility at Kandahar Airfield, but Cpl. Michael Starker, an Albertan soldier and Capt. Leary was a leader." was pronounced dead. reservist with 15 Field Ambulance, the The battle death of a platoon leader hit "Every death or injury is deeply painful last Canadian soldier killed in soldiers under his command hard, said to us, but it is a risk that we - as Kandahar, died after being hit by task force spokesman Maj. Jay Janzen. members of the Armed Forces - enemy fire May 6 while on foot patrol in "It's a very difficult time, and when you understand and assume as we work to the Pashmul region of Zhari district. lose a leader that is effective as Capt. bring peace and stability to a country Military spokespeople wouldn't say how Leary, as personable, it's difficult," he torn apart by decades of war," said many insurgents were killed in said. Cade. Afghan national security forces Tuesday's engagement. and the Canadian Task Force "continue Leary's body is expected to be returned to maintain the initiative," he added. "We don't like to brag or even talk to Canada later this week from about that," said Janzen. "When we Kandahar Airfield, where most of the The captain's death brings Canada's start hearing that people feel safer in 2,500 Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan toll in Afghanistan to 84 soldiers and the area, that reconstruction is going on are based, and where Canadian flags one diplomat since the mission began and that the economy is growing, that's are flying at half-mast. in early 2002. how we measure success." At Leary's parents' home in Brantford, "It's dangerous business, there's no Ont., a yellow ribbon was tied around a question about that. But if we're not out Tuesday, June 03, 2008 tree. there doing our jobs, we'll never be DND Section: Afghanistan successful," said Janzen. His family said Leary knew all too well the pain a soldier's death causes for his Leary's death brought immediate loved ones. tributes from Canadian leaders. Remembering Polish soldiers who trained in Niagara-on-the- He had served as a liaison, dealing with "Each and every woman and man who Lake 90 years ago the families of slain soldiers in the past, volunteers to help rebuild Afghanistan his aunt, Terry Caireswell, told CHCH is a source of inspiration and hope for News in Brantford. the Afghan people. I commend Capt. Leary for his hard work and the "He's been the one's that's had to be sacrifices he willingly made with the liaison," she said. "Now someone courage and conviction. On behalf of else is doing it for him." our entire country, we offer our Caireswell said her nephew had sincerest condolences to his family, wanted to enlist since he was a boy, friends and comrades-in-arms. Our and had joined the Forces after hearts and our thoughts are with them," graduating with a master's degree in Gov. Gen. Michaelle Jean said in a history from McMaster University in statement. Henry Radecki stands in the small Hamilton. "We honour Capt. Leary's sacrifice. His graveyard for Polish-Americans who died in Niagara-on-the-Lake while training for an He left behind his wife, Rachel, whom efforts will not be forgotten," Prime independent Polish army during the First he had been with since they were both Minister Stephen Harper said. World War. “The cemetery is a symbol of all teenagers, the report said. Liberal Leader Stephane Dion and NDP the others who died outside of the United "He just brought sunshine to every Leader Jack Layton also extended their States and North America, who fought for that ideal of an independent Poland,” house he was ever in," Caireswell said. condolences to Leary's family. Radecki says. "Whenever we had a family occasion, Tuesday's death came a day after two Credit: Denis Cahill we always had fun when he was there," separate attacks on Canadian soldiers - NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE — The small she added. a small-arms assault and an plot of graves is immediately improvised explosive device (IED) blast "He was always upbeat and happy and distinguishable from the others in St. targeting another foot patrol - left four looking forward to his future." Vincent de Paul cemetery. wounded, including two who had to be Canadian soldiers and Afghan security airlifted to a military hospital in Surrounded by a small iron fence, the forces were patrolling on foot in the Landstuhl, Germany, one in serious 25 graves bear the emblem of a white volatile Panjwaii District, where condition. eagle, the symbol of a free Poland. The Canadians have frequently come under names — Michael Byszewski, Jozef The Canadian Task Force and Afghan attack, when they drew small-arms fire Dolwa, Jan Siatkowski — also set them national security forces recently early Tuesday morning, sparking a apart. completed a successful operation to "prolonged engagement" that continued neutralize IED production cells in In these graves, Henry Radecki said, after Leary was shot about 9:30 a.m. Kandahar Province. Canadian military are some of the bravest men in local time. spokespeople warned at the time that Poland’s history. According to Cade, "close air support insurgents, led by remnants of the The soldiers were newly emigrated was called in and the enemy was Taliban regime overthrown in late 2001, Polish-Americans when they travelled defeated." Leary was evacuated by were expected to retaliate after The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Page 5 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 Week Ending June 7, 2008 from the U.S. to Niagara-on-the-Lake to miserable conditions, Radecki said. Each year, the group that gathers gets train for an independent Polish army Four barrack buildings were built, but a little older, as do the memberships of during the First World War. Poland they housed only about 300 soldiers local Polish organizations, Radecki didn’t even exist at the time, having each, and at any given time, as many said. been occupied for 123 years by other as 3,000 men were training. Some slept “But as long as there’s one person left countries. in tents with their ration of two blankets to march, there will be a parade.” per man. About 20,000 trainees filed through Read Henry Radecki’s account of the Niagara-on-the-Lake from 1917 to Others slept in abandoned canneries, Polish army in Niagara-on-the-Lake on 1919, sleeping in barns and crude vacant barns or, if they were lucky, The Standard’s website under the barracks, outnumbering the town’s public buildings such as town hall. Features category. residents. The men in the 25 graves Some local residents housed them for died in the Spanish influenza free. The men were paid five cents a Tuesday, June 03, 2008 pandemic. day. Samantha Craggs, The Standard Section: Veterans Each year, local Poles march from While Radecki’s research shows some downtown Niagara-on-the-Lake to the residents were skeptical of this new cemetery plots, commemorating not group, Niagara-on-the-Lake residents Royal Visitor for Sunnybrook's only the spirit of the volunteers but the were used to soldiers, said Clark Veterans liberation of their motherland. This year Bernat, curator of the Niagara Historical is the 90th anniversary. Museum. “The cemetery is a symbol only,” said “Through the whole World War I era, at Radecki, a retired sociology professor, any given time, there were as many war veteran and Polish immigrant who soldiers in town as there were helps maintain the plots. residents,” he said. TORONTO, ONTARIO, MEDIA ADVISORY--(Marketwire - June 4, Please see Soldiers page A8 The Spanish influenza hit hard, striking 2008) - His Royal Highness, The Prince many soldiers ill and killing one of the “The cemetery is a symbol of all the Edward, Earl of Wessex, together with two doctors who cared for the Polish others who died outside of the United the Honorable David C. Onley, men, Radecki said. States and North America, who fought Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, will for that ideal of an independent Elizabeth Ascher, a local woman and attend a special afternoon Garden Poland,” Radecki said. St. Catharines Standard columnist, Party at Sunnybrook Health Sciences cared for many of them, promoting their Centre in honour of the organization's Poland’s history is complicated and presence in the community so much 60th Anniversary and to visit with the riddled with conflict. In the late 1700s, that in death she was granted the more than 500 war heroes who live in the country was conquered by Austria, Cross of the Order of Polonia Restitute. the hospital's veterans' residence. Prussia and Russia, which divided the territory among them, wiping Poland as The Honourable Gregory Thompson, But the soldiers were a robust group. a country off the map, Radecki said. Minister of Veterans Affairs Canada, Of the 22,000 who trained in Niagara- For the next 123 years, the Polish will also be in attendance as well as on-the-Lake, only 150 were killed people revolted, but even the longest special guests from the community and overseas and fewer than 1,000 were and most intense efforts were Canada's Armed Forces. wounded. unsuccessful. The First World War was WHAT: an opportunity to gain freedom, and the “It’s been said they were the best army Garden Party best way to obtain it was siding with the at that time in Europe,” Radecki said. Allies. “They were well-equipped. They could WHEN: take on any enemy.” Thursday, June 5, 2008 To form a Polish army, organizers 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. combed American towns with the The annual ceremony remains largest number of Polish immigrants, important to the Polish community, who WHERE: ideal because the U.S. was still neutral see it as a valiant symbol, said Jacek Veterans Therapeutic Garden, Kilgour in the war. But when the U.S. became Kaminski, president of the Niagara Wing (K-wing) involved and started drafting soldiers, branch of the Canadian Polish 2075 Bayview Avenue organizers of the Polish army moved Congress. Toronto, ON M4N 3M5 their volunteers to Canada, where they “Going over the ocean wasn’t as simple (Visit www.sunnybrook.ca/static/ wouldn’t be drafted. as it is today,” Kaminski said. “They SunnybrookMap.pdf to access campus The effort in Niagara-on-the-Lake made one big trip from Europe to map) represented the new strength of the America to come here. And when they Sunnybrook officially opened its doors Polish people, who still longed to take saw the need, they went back.” to care for Canada's war veterans on back their homeland, Radecki said. About 800 people are expected at this June 12, 1948, becoming the largest This makes the small town where initial year’s parade, which will be Sunday at facility of its kind in the country. training was provided very important to noon at the cemetery. Festivities, Although Sunnybrook has grown in size Poland’s existence as a nation. including a fashion show and dancing, and scope, the care of war heroes The soldiers had occasionally will follow in Polonia Park. remains a priority and to this day the Page 6 The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Week Ending June 7, 2008 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 hospital is the largest war veterans' before I came to Canada. So we're not reaching the European Court of Human hospital in the country. getting something for nothing here. It's Rights where it is scheduled to be our money that's been laying with them heard later this year. Wednesday, June 04, 2008 for such a long time." Marketwire Even if the pensioners win in Europe, Section: Veterans The situation is particularly sad in the however, there will still be challenges to case of British war veterans who face. immigrated to Canada and must now "It will mean that the British government British pensioners living in struggle with fixed incomes because will eventually have to give in," said Canada still seeking fairness their pensions are frozen. Kennan. "How much the British To add insult to injury Canada is on a government stalls after the verdict is very short list of places where British ex- something else." patriots receive no pension hikes. The CABP annual general meeting will "The people that do get regular take place at 2 p.m. at the Sir John increases live in the United States, they Colborne Recreation Centre, located at live in the European Union, they live in 1565 Old Lakeshore Rd. at Third Line Israel, they live in Jamaica," said (exit 113 off the QEW). For more Kennan. information, call CABP at 416-253- 6402. "So, if you lived in Buffalo, New York last month you got a 3.9 per cent Wednesday, June 04, 2008 increase in your pension. If you lived in Calling all Brits. David Lea, Oakville Beaver Niagara-on-the-Lake, you didn't." Section: Seniors The Canadian Alliance of British Kennan said the reason for this Pensioners (CABP) will be holding its seemingly random pension policy can annual general meeting in Oakville on 1896 and all that be found in plain and simple politics. Saturday, June 7. "When Britain joined the European The meeting will provide those Union they were told in no uncertain receiving, or likely to receive, a British terms to pay up or else and the United pension with information about the States did something similar," said ongoing struggle British Canadians are Kennan. facing when it comes to getting their due. "But, now the British government simply says 'We're short of money.' Fair play "The issue with British pensions is that doesn't come into it. It's not exactly Britain has about a million pensioners what you might call cricket." outside the country and while about half this number get regular increases half The Canadian government has been of them don't," said Peter Kennan, working to help British pensioners in director of membership for CABP and Canada through a number of means Oakville resident. including the sending of observers and lawyers to the court case of a British "The main body of those who don't are pensioner in South Africa in 2002. in Canada, Australia and South Africa." In this case the pensioner claimed that Kennan noted that these are not small by denying her pension increases the numbers of people with around 153,000 British government was depriving her of Canadians currently collecting these her rights. frozen British pensions while others Henry Allingham who have worked in Britain may be Kennan noted that the Canadian Henry Allingham, First World War eligible for pensions, but do not know it. government has vested interest in veteran and Europe's oldest man, turns seeing the British pensioners receive 112 this week. Owen Amos looks back This 153,000 includes around 200 their increases. at 1896, the year of his birth - and finds people in Oakville and another 200 in "If we got this pension increase the that some things just don't change. Burlington. inflow of dollars into Canada would be THE weather was wet, it was Olympic Oakville resident Rosina Stoddart, who $300 million a year extra," he said. year, and Americans were pondering was a clerk in Glasgow, Scotland, has "Also, we believe the Canadian their presidential candidates. The date been dealing with the pension issue government is paying out about $30 was Saturday, June 6, 1896, and Henry since the 1980s. million a year to people on guaranteed Allingham, 112 on Friday, was enjoying income supplements, who could be "For me this has been a crusade," she the first of his 40,906 days. And getting a British pension." said. counting. Hope for the CABP cause has also "I did contribute to that pension plan. It The weather, in fact, was more than grown, with the British pensioner case was a long time in contributing to it wet. There were storms in Spennymoor The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Page 7 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 Week Ending June 7, 2008 and burst banks in Bishop Auckland. onequarter of the world's population, died in 1970, both his children have On the Monday, The Northern Echo and 14.2 million square miles, a quarter died, and all but one of his six gave more space to floods than railway of its land area. Now, we're left with grandchildren, 12 greatgrandchildren, notices, which is saying something. Anguilla, Ascension, and 12 other 13 great-great-grandchildren and one "The thunderstorm was one of outposts. great-great-great-grandchild live in the phenomenal violence," it said. "And it is US. He lived alone in East Sussex until The last thing we colonised was no exaggeration to say it caused panic 2001, when Dennis Goodwin, chairman Rockall, 229 miles from Scotland, with in some instances." of the World War One Veterans' the 1972 Isle of Rockall Act. The act Association, found him. Until then, he There was, mercifully, less space for made Rockall - a tiny, empty outcrop - kept his memories secret. Since then, the American elections. No never- part of the UK and, specifically, the he's shaken more hands than David ending narrative here, no Colorado County of Inverness. Not quite the Beckham. "I owe it to those men to caucuses or Pennsylvania primaries. Napoleonic Wars. remind future generations of the No, just one paragraph on the On June 6, 1896, the front page of The supreme sacrifice they made," he said. Republicans choosing William McKinley Northern Echo carried adverts for as their candidate. He became the 25th In 2003, he launched the Poppy Appeal Lockyer's Sulphur Hair Restorer - "The President, but was assassinated, by with Nell McAndrew. Between his 110th best. The safest. The cheapest" - and anarchist Leon Czolgosz, in 1901. Mr and 111th birthdays, he made over 60 for James Spence, who arranged Allingham, a nipper in London, was public appearances, including meeting emigration to "America, Canada, five. Prince Charles, Tony Blair, Gordon Australia, or South Africa". Inside, the Brown, and at a garden party at He missed the first modern Olympics stories were similarly familiar. Buckingham Palace. Last year, he was by two months. They were held in Alfred Hayes, 32, of Hartlepool, was given a Pride of Britain award. When Greece over ten days in April. There charged with assaulting Henrietta asked his secret, he said: "Cigarettes, were 14 teams, including Great Britain, Davis, the mother of his child. whisky and wild women." Australia (then a British colony), Austria and Hungary, these last two unified in He smashed a table, causing it to injure He has two campaign meals from the empire. Some things never change: the Miss Davis, and was sentenced to First World War and, in 2003, was US topped the medal table and Britain three months' hard labour. awarded the Legion d'honneur, won just two golds. Some things do: France's highest military medal. He is Henry Dalton, of Middlesbrough, there were no human rights riots and the oldest man in Europe and the joint assaulted a policeman while drunk. He certainly no female athletes. second oldest man in the world. That's got six months. There were bombs in right - joint. George Rene Francis, of When Mr Allingham was born, the Barcelona ("Several anarchists Sacramento, California, was also born Football League had two divisions and arrested") and Princess Maud - Queen on June 6, 1896. There was something 23 teams, including Bootle and Victoria's granddaughter - announced in the water that day. Just ask Bishop Northwich Victoria. Aston Villa were she would marry in Buckingham Auckland and Spennymoor. champions, and Sheffield Wednesday Palace. She did not, however, had just won the FA Cup. England had announce to which magazine she'd Wednesday, June 04, 2008 played just 59 times, and were 12 years sold the rights. Mike Amos, The Northern Echo Section: Veterans away from playing someone other than HENRY was born in Clapton, east Scotland, Wales, or Ireland. Now, they London, then part of Middlesex; his have played 870 times, against father died of tuberculosis 18 months Minister Issues Statement on Bohemia and Brazil, East Germany and later. He remembers seeing parading the Occasion of D-Day Egypt. Mr Allingham - if he'd really soldiers after The Boer War - that's wanted to - could have seen England right, The Boer War - and decided to 811 times. Mind, the last game was in join the air force in 1914. His mother, Trinidad and Tobago. however, wouldn't let him, so he joined advertisementIn 1896, Queen Victoria in 1915, after she died. was monarch and our Prime Minister He served in the Battle of Jutland and Ottawa - The Honourable Greg had a title, not a name. The Marquess flew over the Somme trenches, where Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, of Salisbury was replaced by Arthur his plane was shot down. issued the following statement to mark Balfour, another Tory, in 1902. The D-Day: House of Commons had 670 MPs, He pulled the pilot, who later died, from including those from southern Ireland, the wreckage. "It was 64 years ago–on June 6, and Cambridge and Oxford 1944–that the Allies crossed the Mr Allingham was formally discharged Universities. None were paid, and there English Channel to engage in in April 1919, then worked for Ford. He was no John Lewis List. In fact, there Operation Overlord. We now know it as stayed there until 1961, when he drew was just one John Lewis store on D-Day and the ensuing Normandy his pension, aged 65. They do, after all, London's Oxford Street. Campaign. Fifteen thousand Canadian say you're a long time retired. troops came ashore at a place called The British ruled Canada, India, and Today, 12-year-old girls with good 'Juno Beach.' It was a massive vast chunks of Africa. In 1921, when Mr voices are celebrities. Mr Allingham amphibious assault, involving the Allied Allingham was 25, the Empire had 458 had to wait until he was 105. His wife fighting forces on land, sea and in the million people, approximately air. And it was the beginning of the end Page 8 The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Week Ending June 7, 2008 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 for the enemy, as the Allies forced them clawing back money from a disability "Cpl. Michael J. Howse, Southern to retreat. By August of that year, Paris award. Afghanistan, 2/13/08," it reads, and on had been liberated. The Normandy the back, "Support the troops." Gerry Buote, 50, of Summerside, P.E.I., Campaign was a success, but the War says he was forced out of the service in Recently, Michael sent his father an e- would continue for another nine 1993 after being injured on the job four mail. "Dad, there are kids here," the months. years earlier. soldier wrote. "Could you send a couple Canadians suffered the most casualties of old cars or a couple of old dolls?" He says he began receiving a disability of any division in the British Army One month later, Howse has shipped award shortly after his release from the Group. Never again could there be any more than 50 boxes of toys, pencils, RCMP but that hundreds of dollars doubt that freedom is not free. Of the sandals, candy and personal hygiene were deducted from each cheque. more than one million Canadians and items. Newfoundlanders who served in the He estimates he's owed more than "(Michael) was surprised, but he war, 47,000 gave their lives and $140,000 and says there are likely shouldn't be," said Howse's wife, another 55,000 were wounded. hundreds of other veteran officers who Melody. "John goes to the extreme with have had money taken off their monthly Canada felt the great and terrible loss everything he does." cheques. of those who had made the ultimate When Howse received the e-mail, the sacrifice for our shared values of Halifax lawyer Peter Driscoll, who will 53-year-old headed to a dollar store freedom, democracy and the rule of announce plans to file the class-action and bought 10 little yellow trucks. A law. Canadians still feel the loss-from suit Friday, says he's heard from other friend who owns a store donated our largest cities to our smallest retired officers who say they will join in. candy, which Howse also sent to villages. We will never know the lives He says it mirrors a case involving up Afghanistan. these men and women would have led to 4,500 Canadian Forces veterans in a free and peaceful Canada. Day after day, word spread and Howse who have launched a class-action suit composed a letter to give to Our gratitude for their sacrifice is to recover up to $300 million in businesses. Afghan children, his letter immense, as it is for all those who compensation from clawbacks. read, lack pencils for school. Within a fought and survive to this day. We are week, he shipped more than 1,000 honoured to share in their stories, both Thursday, June 05, 2008 pencils and pens. tragic and triumphant. We pledge to The Canadian Press Section: Veterans them that their contributions to our But the real motivation was what he blessed nation will be remembered for read on military websites. Every time a all time." Effort benefits Afghan children Canadian soldier hands a toy to an Afghan child, he read, the Taliban loses Thursday, June 05, 2008 influence. It was all Howse needed to Veteran Affairs Canada know. His campaign went into Section: Veterans overdrive. He recently received his first corporate Former RCMP officers to file donation in the form of $250 worth of class-action suit over pension balls from Canadian Tire. He is learning deductions to navigate the military postal system, which is picky, particularly when it works "on the Queen's dime," he said. He receives donations and packs them the same day. John Howse has shipped more than 50 boxes of toys, pencils, sandals, candy and "He stays up literally all night packing personal hygiene items for children in and packing," Melody Howse said. "If Afghanistan. MICHAEL HOWSE he gets a shipment that day, it's packed Credit: JULIE JOCSAK up and ready to go." Father heeds soldier's plea to send The effort has made it easier on the toys for kids in wartorn region. couple, who are proud of their son but sick with worry. The project is Howse's When John Howse says he's a proud small way of fighting the war alongside father, it may be an understatement. his son. "It's consuming because I tell His Queenston Street home is filled him whatever he needs, ask me and I'll with pictures of his son Michael in get it for him," he said. military uniform. Inside and outside, Pocket-sized toys are sent to his son, yellow ribbon is everywhere. A sign who gives them to fellow soldiers, urging support for Canadian soldiers is Howse said. Larger ones go to a taped to his front door. Howse wears a military chaplain managing an HALIFAX — A former RCMP officer T-shirt bearing a large photo of his son. says he will file a class-action lawsuit orphanage there. against the federal government for The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Page 9 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 Week Ending June 7, 2008 Michael Howse wanted to be in the for valour -- from Governor General devotion to duty in the presence of the military since he was a child, said his Michaelle Jean in Quebec City soon. enemy. father, a former General Motors To hear Morley tell it in a phone Friday, June 06, 2008 employee. The elder Howse served in interview from Edmonton, he was just John Burman, The Hamilton Spectator the militia as a teenager, but for Section: Afghanistan doing his job. Michael, it was a passion. He just went to aid comrades wounded Michael nearly went to Afghanistan in in an attack on a Canadian convoy, as Prince Edward pays tribute to 2002, but withdrew his name because he's supposed to. "Your friends are in military families during visit to he got a job on a cruise ship. A few trouble ... You just do it like anybody Winnipeg months later, four of the soldiers he would." was meant to accompany died there. Howse has photos of them framed. The governor general's office said Morley left the safety of his Leopard When Michael returns home in October tank to help a critically wounded soldier after an eight-month tour in under fire. Afghanistan, his father will likely continue collecting toys. "Under the threat of the enemy, he reacted courageously to ensure the But his focus will change. As Melody survival of a comrade," the pointed out to him, there are many local announcement said. children who cannot afford toys. Howse now has toy-giving fever. "It was a pretty big fight," Morley admitted last night. "Certainly, my He already took some new toys to WINNIPEG - Prince Edward has longest day in Afghanistan." Camp Day at Tim Hortons, where his extended a show of support to the daughter works. It helps him worry less. Inside one of Canada's 42-tonne relatives of soldiers serving in "If I was just sitting here brooding and Leopard tanks, Morley is second in Afghanistan. getting depressed, I would go crazy, or command. He's the radio connection The prince is on a royal visit and during I would be a miserable old man," and the loader. a stop in Winnipeg he told military Howse said. "I'm not a miserable old He's also the qualified "combat first aid families that Canada's actions are man. Every day I feel like Santa Claus." guy," so when the call came for "guys making a difference and are respected around the world. Friday, June 06, 2008 hit," he was out the hatch to help SAMANTHA CRAGGS STANDARD STAFF several soldiers, including one of his Edward stopped to chat with several Section: Afghanistan friends who was killed. relatives of people who are currently "I did my best for him," Morley said serving overseas. On soldier's 'longest day,' he quietly. "I guess I was outside maybe Michelle Day of Wawanesa, Man., says saved his comrades 20 minutes at the most." the prince's show of support was Cpl. Erik Poelzer, a fellow Royal touching. Canadian and a vehicle technician on Manitoba Premier Gary Doer marked the same convoy, also earned the the royal visit by naming two northern Medal of Military Valour in the same lakes after Edward's children, Louise fight. and James. Poelzer will receive the medal for Edward is the youngest child of Queen "courage and exceptional technical Elizabeth and is seventh in line to the skills by co-ordinating a vehicle throne. recovery effort through hours of sustained enemy attacks. He Friday, June 06, 2008 continuously exposed himself to great The Canadian Press A Canadian tank operating within southern Section: Veterans Afghanistan. risk" while preventing the loss of a vital Credit: Canadian Armed Forces piece of equipment. It was Corporal Edward Morley's Morley, whose parents Charlene and Veterans fear Canadians longest day in Afghanistan. Roy Morley -- a retired naval officer -- forgetting sacrifices: poll and the rest of his family still live in The 32-year-old Hamilton tanker Hamilton, is a graduate of Scott Park serving with the Lord Strathcona's Secondary School and Mohawk Horse (Royal Canadians) armoured College's electrical engineering regiment will be awarded one of program. Morley said he's single and Canada's highest honours for bravery "married to the job." under fire for what happened Sept. 24 last year. The Medal of Military Valour, created by Queen Elizabeth in 1993, is Morley will receive the Medal of Military awarded for an act of bravery or Valour -- Canada's third highest honour A Dominion Institute survey of Page 10 The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Week Ending June 7, 2008 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 Canadian war veterans, described as extensive research the Dominion The collection includes service and the first poll of its kind, has found that Institute has conducted over the last campaign medals from both world 80 per cent of those who fought in the decade, which shows consistently poor wars, including a 1914-1919 Victory Second World War and Korean conflict knowledge of Canada's military history Medal and the France and Germany are concerned about how Canadians among all age groups." Star. Several have Bell-Irving's name will remember those battles when the engraved on them. soldiers have passed away. Friday, June 06, 2008 Randy Boswell , Canwest News Service The medals include the Member of the The results, to be officially released Section: Veterans Order of the British Empire, a gold Friday on the 64th anniversary of the cross first created to honour mainly non- Allied invasion of Normandy, were combatants - both civilians and military derived from interviews with about 500 B.C. family reunited with members - who helped in the First volunteer veterans who participate in stolen war medals four World War, according to the Veteran's the institute's Memory Project, which decades after break-in Affairs Department website. promotes remembrance of Canada's It has since been awarded to 2,700 military history. Canadians who served in various "To the best extent of our knowledge, settings, though Darg Bell-Irving didn't Canadian veterans (have) never before know the circumstances that led to his been scientifically polled to solicit their father receiving the medal. views about whether the country is Police enlisted the help of one of their doing a good job of commemorating its own officers who was a member military heritage," said Rudyard Seaforth Highlanders for his help in Griffiths, co-founder of the Toronto- tracking the original owner down. based history institute. Bell-Irving, who was the uncle of former "The poll results show definitively that lieutenant-governor Henry Pybus Bell- veterans are worried about Canadians' Irving, was born in Vancouver 1897, the dwindling knowledge of the country's second-youngest of 10 children. He military history and who will take their was himself a city councillor in place in helping Canadians remember Vancouver from 1962-1966. events like D-Day." He went to school in Scotland, and in Respondents were asked whether they 1916 joined the military and served as were concerned about the way Order of the British Empire Medal a balloon observer in the First World Canadians will remember the Second VANCOUVER — More than 40 years War. World War once the veterans are all ago, a thief made off with a collection of After the war, he worked in China for gone - probably around 2035. 10 medals earned by Aeneas Bell- about 10 years and finally returned to A "vast majority" of the veterans said Irving in the First and Second world Vancouver in the late '20s, where he they were concerned, including 58 per wars. lived during the Great Depression. cent who "strongly agreed" that On Thursday, the medals were Canadians' memory of the war will be returned to his family after a surprising Bell-Irving returned to the military at the worrisomely diminished by then, the recovery in a most unlikely place. start of the Second World War, first institute said. Vancouver police happened upon the helping with recruiting and eventually becoming the commander officer of the Another 78 per cent of those surveyed medals last month while executing an 2nd Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, said they believe Canadians are unrelated search warrant at a serving in an area east of London already "fast forgetting" the Second downtown apartment building as part of protecting the area from German World War, the institute added in its a drug investigation. aircraft attacks. analysis of the poll. Bell-Irving, a veteran of both world He was part of a prominent family in The telephone survey, conducted by wars, retired as a brigadier and died in B.C. with a rich history of military Innovative Research Group, tapped 1966. The medals disappeared during service, said Darg Bell-Irving. Memory Project veterans from across a 1960s break-in. Canada in late April. The results are "It's certainly a great surprise and a "I have great pride in belonging to a considered accurate to within 3.3 great pleasure," Darg Bell-Irving, the family which has a rather extraordinary percentage points, 19 times out of 20. war hero's 78-year-old son, said during background in terms of involvement in both First and Second World Wars," he "This survey suggests that schools and a news conference as police handed said. governments need to be doing more to over the medals. allay veterans' concerns about future "It's really extraordinary. It would be "It's a family which is very proud, and generations forgetting their sacrifices very interesting to know the certainly I am very proud of being a and all those who died in service to background and the recent background member of that family." Canada," Griffiths said. of where they were found and where After the Second World War, Aeneas "The sentiments of veterans as these people got them from. It's quite Bell-Irving returned to Vancouver and captured in this poll reinforce the incredible." worked as a controller and then a sales The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Page 11 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 Week Ending June 7, 2008 manager for Western Bridge and Steel Mr. Mitchell's widow, Claire, says she atomic tests and during a reactor Fabricators, which worked on the Lions will have an autopsy performed on her mishap at Chalk River, Ont. during the Gate Bridge. husband to determine what role 1950s. radiation exposure may have played in He raised a son and a daughter, and In February of last year, then defence his death. moved to a house in Vancouver's West minister Gordon Point Grey area in the 1950s, where he O'Connor and Chief of the Defence lived until he died. Staff Gen. Rick Hillier met with some It was from that house that the medals veterans and promised their cases were stolen - perhaps even twice, said would be swiftly dealt with. In August, Darg Bell-Irving. Mr. O'Connor said a compensation package was almost complete, but "My sister thinks that maybe medals nothing came of that. were stolen twice, that maybe the original medals were stolen and then A few months later Defence Minister he had them replaced and that they Peter MacKay assured Parliament may have been stolen again," he said. something would be soon done for the veterans. Now that he has his father's medals, Bell-Irving isn't sure what he'll do with Government officials say they are still them. examining the issues brought forward by the atomic vets. "I haven't any particular plan at all," he said. "I'll have to discuss that with my Mrs. Mitchell, an air force veteran, said sister and see what seems to make the federal politicians have gone back on most sense." their promises to the veterans. "I think it's terrible that these people are being It's not clear how the medals ended up "I want to know," she said. "It is to help ignored," she added. "It is not right." where police found them. everybody as well as the widows" of The veterans have been battling for Three men from Vancouver were the veterans. compensation and recognition for the charged with drug offences following During the atomic blasts in Nevada, past five decades and have tried to the police search, but no charges have Peter Mitchell was exposed to a large deal with Conservative and Liberal been laid in connection with the amount of radiation, she said. "After governments. medals. each detonation of the six bombs, they Mr. Mitchell spent 40 years in the Const. Jana McGuinness said police took a broom to the men to clean off military. He served in Germany and were still investigating whether there the (radioactive) dust and then they Cyprus and across Canada. He will be could be charges of possession of gave them a shower," Mrs. Mitchell buried today. stolen property. said. "That was it." She said her husband, who was 80, The atomic veterans have tried to sue Friday, June 06, 2008 had tried to get compensation, but was the government for compensation, but The canadian Press the government's response to the Section: Veterans turned down by Veterans Affairs who suggested the five different cancers he lawsuit is that the soldiers waited too endured could be linked to smoking. long to begin legal proceedings against Government 'ignoring' atomic the government, so the case should not Mr. Mitchell was with the Queen's Own be heard in court. veterans, widow says Rifles of Canada when he was ordered David Pugliese, The Ottawa Citizen. to the U.S. for the atomic tests. In the 1980s, the U.S. government started providing financial The widow of an Ottawa veteran of In November, atomic veteran Donald compensation to its atomic veterans, Cold War atomic tests says the federal Bernicky, 74, of Smiths Falls, who also offering those who took part in such government has turned a blind eye to served in the Queen's Own Rifles, died. tests lump sum payments of $75,000 the suffering the former soldiers are Mr. Bernicky witnessed six atomic each. enduring. bomb detonations and was in a battle with the federal government over Friday, June 06, 2008 Peter Mitchell, who died on Monday whether he should receive a disability David Pugliese, The Ottawa Citizen after a 15-year battle with various pension for the ailments he suffered as Section: Veterans cancers, is the second area veteran of a result. Mr. Bernicky had skin cancer the atomic bomb tests who has died and other medical problems his family Royal Visitor for Sunnybrook's within the past seven months. attributed to his exposure to radiation Veterans The veterans have accused the federal during the nuclear tests. He died government of stalling their attempts to without receiving compensation. get compensation for ailments they say In early 2007 the Defence Department they suffered as a result of radiation produced a report that determined at exposure. least 900 Canadian military personnel had been exposed to radiation during Page 12 The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Week Ending June 7, 2008 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 TORONTO, ONTARIO:- His Royal newborns, the care of war heroes Enns. "I've enjoyed my time there, but Highness, The Prince Edward, Earl of remains a priority. it's now an awful lot of work for the few Wessex and the Honorable David C. of us that are left." Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario Friday, June 06, 2008 helped celebrate Sunnybrook Health Marketwire Section: Veterans Sciences Centre's 60th anniversary with a visit to the hospital's veteran residences today. Veteran of Second World War His Royal Highness and Lieutenant has British army medals Governor Onley toured the hospital's K stolen in Burlington, Ont and L wings which is home to more than 500 of Canada's war heroes. The Honoured guests were provided with a first-hand look at the care provided to veterans including the many complementary and recreational John Enns, a retired R.A.F. flight lieutenant Credit: The Winnipeg Sun therapy programs such as music Credit: http://canadianpress.google.com/ therapy, photography and article/ Membership of the WPOA -- which woodworking. ALeqM5gfiGb5ffFZ7aA31DWx0bLRUgBWg- started in the aftermath of the First Q In addition, information was provided World War -- has dwindled the past few on the tour about the highly specialized BURLINGTON, Ont. — A veteran of the years, from a peak of 1,700. Dorothy Macham Home, which is a one- Second World War has had his medals Most surviving members, who need to of-a-kind facility in Canada that cares stolen from the Royal Canadian Legion have been part of an air crew that for patients with dementia who exhibit in Burlington, Ont. served during wartime, are now in their aggressive behaviours. The 85-year-old veteran was attending mid-80s to late-90s. To mark the occasion, Sunnybrook's an event at the legion in May with more "One old comrade is flying in from veterans presented His Royal Highness than 200 people in attendance. Mexico with his girlfriend and hiring a with a painting from the art therapy The man had his five medals in small car while he's here. I don't know how program and named a Pavilion in the black boxes so he could have them he gets away with it," said Enns. therapeutic garden in honour of The professionally mounted. Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex. Enns is a recipient of the Distinguished He left them on a table and when he Flying Cross, which he earned with No. In total, about 1,000 people attended returned, someone had swiped the 415 Squadron, who flew Hampdens the festivities, including Minister of medals. and Wellingtons. Veterans Affairs Canada, the Honourable Gregory Thompson, as All the medals are from the British army The official award document, from well as family members of veterans, and one is very rare, a British army October 1944, said Enns "has the hospital staff, board members and Palestine Medal with only 1,000 in reputation of being a fearless captain, volunteers, representatives from the existence. undeterred by flak or weather." Royal Canadian Legion, the Canadian Authorities are asking anyone who Enns served for the RCAF between Armed Forces, and many other comes across the valuable medals to 1941 and 1945 during the Second supportive members of the community. contact Halton Regional Police. World War. "It is an incredible morale boost for our "We knew the danger, but we had a job veterans and staff to play host to such Friday, June 06, 2008 to do," he said. "There was not only a The Canadian Press distinguished guests," said Dr. Barry Section: Veterans sense of satisfaction of a job well done, McLellan, President and CEO, but a gratitude for being alive." Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. "We began as a veterans' hospital and Wartime pilots to hold last Enns is also proud to step into the it makes perfect sense for us to parade shoes of WPOA president Jim celebrate our 60th anniversary with McCombe, who is in hospital, for those who we still proudly serve today." It's quite the week for John Enns. tomorrow's ceremony. Sunnybrook officially opened its doors The retired Royal Canadian Air Force Friday, June 06, 2008 as the largest veterans' hospital in the flight lieutenant turns 86 today, 24 SIMON FULLER, The WInnipeg Sun country on June 12, 1948 and retains hours before helping close a massive Section: Veterans this distinction today. Although chapter in Canadian military history. Sunnybrook has grown to become one The Wartime Pilots and Observers Celebrate Canada Day in of Canada's most dynamic health Association holds its final parade Fenelon Falls sciences centres with an emphasis in ceremony tomorrow at 11 a.m. at 17 trauma, cancer, cardiovascular Wing. Fenelon Falls is the place to be to disease, stroke, high risk obstetrics and celebrate Canada's 141st birthday in providing intensive care for adults and "Of course it's sad, but it's time," said style. The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Page 13 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 Week Ending June 7, 2008 Ward 6 councillor Doug Elmslie and the their new patio. $12 each starting at 5 The Vanderburgh County man died Fenelon Falls Canada Day Committee, p. m. lighter fare for children under 12 Feb. 16 of cancer. The veteran of is inviting one and all to enjoy a fun is available. Advance sales are World War II was 89. filled family day in Fenelon Falls in required so call 887-3041 and reserve A top secret piece of paper that Pfc. celebration of Canada Day. Rejoice your steak. Sensmeier carried on that terrifying being Canadian with your family, A spectacular finale to the celebrations June 6, 1944, morning lives on, and his friends and neighbours at Garnet will be the traditional fireworks display 84-year-old widow couldn't be prouder. Graham Park, Tuesday, July 1st. Come over beautiful Cameron Lake dressed in red and white and be "I know it probably should be in a commencing at dusk in Garnet Graham prepared to enjoy a great day in the museum, but it's first and foremost a Park. Park. family heirloom," Donna Sensmeier The Kawartha Spirit will be running a says. special cruise to see the fantastic light The much-folded document is a map of show over the lake. Boards at 8 p. m. the Allies' plans to create a beachhead leaves at 8:30 p. m. from the Water in that corner of France after driving the Street dock. Cost is $10 each. Call 887- Germans away from the shore. 9313 or 887-3409 and reserve your Sensmeier, a member of the military ticket now. There is limited seating so police, was given it shortly before the book early. invasion. Come out and join the festivities we The carefully drawn scale look forward to seeing you there. representation shows where air corps Show your love of Canada and your personnel would be deployed as well pride in being Canadian. as locations set aside for naval units and transportation elements. Join the festivities and celebrate Canada's 141st birthday "If the Germans had gotten hold of this before the invasion, they would have Friday, June 06, 2008 had a great deal of information about The Lindsay Post the landing and things would have been Section: RCL Opening Ceremonies will take place at even worse for our forces," says Jeff 3 p. m., the Royal Canadian Legion Sensmeier, one the Sensmeier's four Colour Party, a Tribute to our Troops in Veteran left behind rare children. Afghanistan, local dignitaries and birthday cake. heirloom: D-Day invasion map The invasion that was 64 years ago today involved about 155,000 This year a poster contest has been American, British, Canadian and introduced for elementary school French troops. It's the largest air, land students and will be awarding medals and sea operation in military history. for first, second and third in each of the following categories; Junior- Grades 1, The map is framed on a wall in Donna 2 and 3; Intermediate - Grades 4, 5 and Sensmeier's living room beside a 6 and Senior - Grades 7 and 8. plaque of all her late husband's medals and ribbons. Activities include the return of the popular firefighters water fun for the "Karl never joined the American Legion kids, wandering clowns, face painting, a or Veterans of Foreign War," she says. fantastic ski show and more. This is an This map of the Normandy Beach invasion "It was like he wanted to put that part of opportunity for young and old to enjoy on D-Day during World War II was issued to his life behind him. The man became the park's swimming area, playground Karl Sensmeier, a soldier who survived the very much of a homebody after the war. Sensmeier kept the map, although and picnic facilities. Lifeguards will be fighting. It was really a struggle to get maps were destroyed after invasion or him to go anywhere." on duty from 2 p. m. to 6 p. m. military operations. The Bloodline Blues Band is returning Credit: MOLLY BARTELS / Courier & Press Sensmeier's mother died when he was again this year to provide us with lively DARMSTADT — On D-Day, Karl 13, and he quit school to help on the entertainment throughout the afternoon. Sensmeier crossed the English farm. Bring your lawn chair or a blanket. Channel with the Allied invasion force "My husband was a very self-reliant You may also venture into the Village and landed on Omaha Beach in man," Donna Sensmeier recalls. "He and explore the unique shops and Normandy. taught himself to play the fiddle and the restaurants, discover the Station Art For years, memories of the carnage saxophone. He enjoyed swing music Gallery, visit the Museum or stroll along made him wake up screaming in the and later became part of a few bands. Lock 34 with an ice cream cone in hand middle of the night. "But that was recreation, and it always and watch the boat traffic. Karl Sensmeier, a soldier who survived came after a full day's work. Karl was a There's a steak dinner at the Legion on the D-Day invasion of World War II. butcher, and in warm weather, he added to the family's income by Page 14 The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Week Ending June 7, 2008 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 painting houses." "That sounds so simple, but that sums Canadians landed during the D-Day it up best." assault on German-occupied France. The family has an audio tape of the D- Friday, June 06, 2008 Day veteran that was recorded not long Friday, June 06, 2008 before his death. Garret Mathews , Evansville Courier and Press Section: Veterans Section: Veterans In it, he talks about the rough weather during the channel crossing, and how "all hell broke loose" when the landing Remembering D-Day: June 6, On Juno Beach ship got to within a half-mile of the 1944 beach. "It was so hot with fire that many GIs died before leaving the boat. I had to jump over the bodies when I hit the water." Sensmeier, who carried the New Testament in his shirt pocket, found himself pinned down on the beach. "I thought this was the end for me," he said on the tape. "If bullets hit me, I It was 64 years ago, on June 6, 1944, The only museum dedicated to Canada's D- hoped they would hit hard so I wouldn't Day stories personalizes our nation's suffer." when the Allied Forces (American, British and Canadian) launched an history. The Juno Beach Centre tells Some of his buddies chose to dash invasion that began to turn the tide of Canadas stories from the D-Day beaches of through a minefield. Many didn't make the Second World War. On the Normandy. it. Sensmeier found a flooded slough anniversary of that day, we remember "and just took out walking. The water those who served their countries. As I drive along the countryside roads was up to my chin. I held my rifle and of Normandy, northwest of Paris, the The invasion of Normandy saw Canada past appears around every bend in the gas mask over my head and kept going play a major role in WWII. The and going. That saved my life." winding lanes. In 1066, William the Canadian forces had been assigned to Conqueror issued forth from here to win "Dad told us that heads and other body take one of the five beaches where the the Battle of Hastings in England. In the parts were washed up right beside the Allied troops would be landing in order late 1800s and early 1900s, painter rations, and that the dead were stacked to begin the liberation of Europe. Claude Monet nurtured his garden and like cordwood," says Jeff Sensmeier, The Canadians would land at Juno art through Impressionist eyes. And on 55. Beach while the Americans had Utah June 6, 1944, 135,000 British, "He said they had been told the and Omaha beaches in the west, and American and Canadian soldiers fought German pillboxes would be knocked the British were at Gold Beach. their way ashore to turn the Second World War in the Allies' favour. out, and there would be plenty of It was 6 a.m. when the bombardment of places to hide on the beach from all the the beaches stared and within an hour, They gave the beaches code names craters left by bombs. He would laugh the lead landing craft were away from that still resonate today: Utah, Omaha, to himself and say neither of those the ships. Gold, Juno and Sword. They fought things happened." over this landscape -- sometimes by Two hours later, the German defences Family members watched the movie metres at a time -- from the cold waves at Juno Beach had been shattered and that wash against the beaches to the "Saving Private Ryan" with their Canada had established the veteran. country lanes that lead inland amid beachhead. apple orchards and dairy herds. "As bad as the beginning sequences When the Normandy campaign ended I'm spending three days touring the D- were, Dad said the real thing was there were about 5,020 Canadians had much, much worse," Jeff Sensmeier Day beaches, seeking to understand been killed; approximately 5,400 not just strategy and tactics but what it says. "I don't think enough people Canadians are buried in Normandy. realize what that generation went felt like when these golden stretches of through so we could enjoy the lives we The total Allied casualties (killed, sand were lined with wire and mines have today. The Depression. Global wounded and captured)) during the two and gun emplacements. war. You can't say enough about their and a half months of the Normandy Stepping inside the Juno Beach Centre sacrifice." campaign, Allied casualties totalled in Courseulles-sur-Mer (the only 210,000. Donna Sensmeier holds the last museum on the Landing Beaches photograph of her late husband that Canadian casualties exceeded 18,000; dedicated to the Canadian soldiers -- was taken in December with two of this includes more than 5,000 dead. 14,000 on D-Day alone) is a chance to their grandchildren. German casualties were 450,000. do exactly that: step inside their lives, glimpse the times in which they lived "He was a good person who put family In Normandy, the Juno Beach Centre and sense what motivated them to fight and church first," she said. stands close to the spot where so far from home. The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Page 15 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 Week Ending June 7, 2008 The journey begins as I enter the gite. travelled to France for today's museum proper: I stand in a mock anniversary. There were more than But pause for a moment to consider the landing craft complete with metal floor double that number last year. Time has sacrifices made more than 60 years plates, as a five-minute movie wraps taken its toll of their numbers but so ago on a windy, grey day in late spring: images of the war on the walls around has the difficulty of living on a pension Families separated, lives lost and me. Canadian soldiers and their in Britain in 2008. futures forever changed. families tell their stories in brief "We are reaching that age now – mid to snippets that set the tone for the rest of In our world today, we sometimes take late 80s most of us – that even our the museum -- this isn't just about troop our freedom for granted -- these white children are getting on," Mr Bowden numbers and objectives won or lost, it's stones would beg to differ. said. "They do a lot already but we about people. Friday, June 06, 2008 can't always ask them to do more." From the landing craft, the museum Yvonne Jeffery, For the Calgary Herald This year's commemoration, the 64th, opens into a central, circular room Section: Veterans is not an especially important one. Next exploring the economic, social and year's – the 65th – is very important. It political makeup of Canada just before will be the last time that survivors of the the war begins. The final battle: remembering D-Day's veterans Allied armies who invaded Normandy It provides context for Canada's entry will gather in large numbers on the into the war, including why beaches and in the fields where they appeasement in an attempt to avoid the fought. By the time of the 70th conflict didn't work. anniversary, in 2014, the D-Day veterans will be in their 90s – or no The museum then curves around the longer alive. centre like a spiral seashell, describing the experience for Canadians at home As things stand, very few British and in Europe as the troops began veterans will be able to afford to go to training, as names like Hong Kong and Normandy next year. The Government Dieppe entered the history books and gave them a £330 "Heroes' Return" as preparations for D-Day turned into grant (and £220 for essential carers) to the push that saw the Canadians gain attend the large 60th anniversary some 12 kilometres of ground that day. Help us make one last journey to the commemorations in 2004. It was D-Day beaches in honour of the fallen, accepted at the time that it was a "final It's in Room E where history gets most plead veterans. commemoration". The Government is, personal, as I pore over photographs therefore, refusing to pay out again. and letters from soldiers -- some of A small group of old men will gather on whom came back to Canada, and the beaches of Normandy today – a Four years later, far more Normandy others whose final resting place is just handful of the 3,000 survivors of veterans remain physically and a few kilometres from Courseulles, in Britain's own "Band of Brothers". Many mentally strong into their mid-80s than the Canadian War Cemetery at Beny- hundreds of other veterans, such as anyone had expected. Their dead sur-Mer. In the letters, there's Bert Bowden in Bristol, will spend the comrades are "gone but not forgotten". reassurance for families back home, 64th anniversary of D-Day at home, The octogenarian survivors are even while in France the concept of unable to join the men, living and dead, forgotten but not gone. fighting for a cause was giving way to who they still regard as their "own Yesterday, the Normandy Veterans the more elemental drive to survive the family." Association (NVA) – uniting 4,500 fighting. As the Government faced new remaining British Commonwealth and I visit the cemetery next. From the questions yesterday about how it pays European veterans – put out an appeal observation platforms in the soldiers who are serving in today's war to the British people to step into the immaculately maintained grounds, I can zones of Iraq and Afghanistan, in this breach. It has set up a fund – only see the coastal waters beyond the corner of France on the D-Day about £300,000 is needed – to help the white stones lined up in perfect military anniversary, questions were being 1,000 or so British veterans who are formation. Three hundred and thirty-five asked about how much Britain as a likely to want to travel to rejoin their soldiers of the 3rd Canadian Division nation values its veterans of six Canadian and American comrades on who landed on June 6 are buried here, decades ago. the Normandy beaches 12 months from along with more than 1,700 other Bert Bowden, 89, came ashore on Gold today. soldiers and airmen who were killed Beach on 6 June, 1944 and fought until The American and Canadian during subsequent combat inland. he reached the German Baltic coast 11 governments have already promised When you go to Normandy, by all months later. He is still physically and financial aid to their veterans. As things means, sample the sharp, sparkling mentally strong. Like many of his stand, the British veterans of D-Day cider and the smooth Calvados apple surviving comrades, he is no longer and beyond will have to rely entirely on liqueur. Nibble creamy Camembert able to afford a trip to Normandy. Like their own resources and those of their cheese with crusty just-baked bread many others, he is unwilling to leave an families. from the local bakery on a picnic lunch. ailing wife without a constant carer. Mr Bowden, a corporal and dispatch Stay at a centuries-old farmhouse, or Only 150 British veterans have rider in the Royal Army Service Corps Page 16 The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Week Ending June 7, 2008 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 in 1944, said: "What perhaps people About 150 British Normandy veterans weeks, until 19-20 August, before the don't understand is that, in June 1944, began their 64th anniversary German armies in France were finally we soldiers were all one family, not just commemorations yesterday with a routed. friends but family. When you lose family parade and service 200 yards from the The battle of Normandy has been members, you want, over and over, to Sword invasion beach, at Colleville- described by a French historian as the visit the places where you lost them Montgomery. The service was also "Stalingrad of the west": the only and the places where they are buried." attended by family members and local prolonged, yard-by-yard fighting French politicians, by representatives of "To go back to those cemeteries and undertaken by the Allied armies on the the Surrey police and by a French visit the boys we lost is a very western front. (Some British historians bagpipe band. Fifty or so veterans were emotional thing. It is also a kind of duty. point to the battles in central Italy in sprightly enough to march between the We know that next year, for many of us, 1944 as being almost as inhuman.) beach and the commemoration site. is likely to be the last time. There is a Military discipline was maintained, save After the defeat in Normandy – maybe feeling that we ought to be there, that for ribald complaints from some after the successful landings on D-Day we owe it to our lost family to be there veterans when the equally veteran – Nazi Germany had lost all chance of one final time before we go ourselves." parade master got his instructions winning the war. The Red Army had Peter Hodge, the honorary secretary of slightly wrong. "He was in the bloody already thrown back the Germans on the Normandy Veterans' Association, navy," one old man told puzzled French the eastern front in late 1943 and early who has launched the appeal, said: bystanders. 1944. Adolf Hitler remained convinced, "The nation should be aware of their however, that he could still win the war The service took place in front of a plight. All of us living in freedom, should – or at least force an armed peace. He statue of the Allied commander, Field take heart and pride in sending these hoped to hold on long enough in the Marshal Bernard Montgomery. The men. We have approached the east to use his new super-weapons to statue was paid for by NVA members Government without success at the hit London and Moscow. when there were almost 20,000 of them present time." still alive in the 1980s. Paris was captured five days after the "This is not a complaint against the final defeat of the Wehrmacht in The NVA president, Major-General Government, and certainly not against Normandy. The German military had Tony Richardson, who was at Gordon Brown. As Chancellor, he did little left in reserve to prevent a rapid yesterday's ceremony, said: "We need more than any other British politician advance into Belgium and the money and we also need government has ever done for veterans. It was Netherlands. support. Do the British people want the largely because of him that veterans beaches next year to be crowded with Something like 500,000 Allied troops received an allowance to come to Canadian and American veterans and served in the Normandy campaign. Of Normandy for the 60th anniversary in few British ones? It wasn't just the these maybe 150,000 were British. 2004. We agreed then that would be a Canadians and the Americans who final commemoration. We accept it is Friday, June 06, 2008 won the war." difficult for the Government to go back John Lichfield in Colleville-Montgomery, Normandy, The Independent UK on that and offer to support veterans Donations can be sent to: The National Section: Veterans again next year." Treasurer, the Normandy Veterans Association, 1, Chervilles, Barming, Nr All the same, Mr Hodge and the NVA Maidstone, Kent, ME16 9JE D-Day: The most impressive have not entirely given up hope of persuading Gordon Brown to chip in. A defining moment in the Second World thing he's ever witnessed "The Government has announced it is War taking £150m from 'dormant bank The Allied invasion of Normandy 64 accounts', mostly belonging to the years ago today remains the largest deceased," Mr Hodge said. "This amphibious military operation ever money is to be given to youth causes. attempted. Fair enough. We have no objection. But could a small amount of that money not American, Canadian, British and some also help D-Day and other Normandy French troops assaulted five beaches veterans to go on a final visit next along 40 miles of French coastline. By year?" the end of the day, the Allies had landed more than 150,000 men. "Many of the people to whom this money belonged must have been from They had suffered 9,000 casualties, of the Second World War generation. To whom about one third were killed. This support youth is fine but the Normandy was a terrible price but far less than veterans – and those who never lived many military planners had feared and to become veterans – gave their youth a triumph compared to some of the A Mustang I on patrol during D-Day on 6th to fight the Second World War ... Their frontal assaults of the First World War. June 1944 - note the hastily applied black & white stripes on fuselage and wings. youth was spent facing conflict, danger, It is sometimes forgotten that D-Day Credit: www.swissmustangs.ch serious injuries and for many, mental was only the beginning of the battle of disturbance." Today, the 6th day of June, 2008, is the Normandy. Fighting raged for 10 64th anniversary of D-Day, the Allied The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Page 17 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 Week Ending June 7, 2008 assault against the German forces in since. actually happened in the case of the Normandy in order to liberate France, Normandy Landings. D-Day in Generally speaking, those of us who Belgium, Holland and all of the people Normandy was originally intended to be took part in D-Day and/or the Battles to of Europe from the aggressive rule of on 5 June 1944, but at the last minute liberate Europe and are still alive and Hitler and his Nazi forces. bad weather delayed it until the kicking are lucky to have survived this following day. The armed forces also For those of us who took part in D-Day long and fortunate to be citizens of used the expression "H-Hour" for the and the Battle of Normandy, the Canada, the best country anywhere. time during the day at which operations liberation of France, Belgium and were to begin. Holland, this is a day full of strong Friday, June 06, 2008 memories. RICHARD ROHMER What were Operation Overlord, Section: Veterans Operation Neptune and the Battle of They reach across those long 64 years Normandy? When did they take to revisit the images in our minds of place? that opening moment when Canada's D-Day F.A.Q. strong army, navy and air force The armed forces use codenames to stormed against the shores of Juno refer to the planning and execution of Beach shoulder to shoulder with the specific military operations. Operation British (Sword and Gold Beaches) and Overlord was the codename for the the Americans (Omaha and Utah Allied invasion of north-west Europe. Beaches). The assault phase of Operation Overlord was known as Operation For me, I had 'the best seat in the Neptune. This operation involved house' in my Mustang fighter, patrolling landing the troops on the beaches, and up and down the Canadian and British all other associated supporting beaches at 500 feet as the first landing operations required to establish a craft were approaching the mined beachhead in France. Operation defences that Field Marshall Rommel Neptune began on D-Day (6 June had erected on the beaches. 1944) and ended on 30 June 1944. By Credit: www.29th.co.uk I was there to, among other things, this time, the Allies had established a protect the landing army troops against firm foothold in Normandy. Operation air attacks by the German Luftwaffe. D-Day and the Battle of Normandy: Overlord also began on D-Day, and Your Questions Answered continued until Allied forces crossed the Under my Mustang, huge explosions Written by the D-Day Museum, River Seine on 19 August 1944. The were throwing smoke and debris high Portsmouth. Battle of Normandy is the name given in the air as massive shells from the What does the “D” in D-Day stand for? to the fighting in Normandy between D- guns of scores of battleships well Day and the end of August 1944. offshore were landing on and near German gun emplacements. The “D” does not stand for "Deliverance", "Doom", "Debarkation" Which Allied nations took part in the On the horizon out to sea to the north or similar words. In fact, it does not fighting? was a band of miles-long black smoke stand for anything. The “D” is derived created from the firing warship guns. The majority of troops who landed on from the word "Day". “D-Day” means the D-Day beaches were from Great The band of black was punctuated by the day on which a military operation winking lights which were the fire from Britain, Canada and the US. However, begins. The term "D-Day" has been troops from many other countries the barrels of the literally hundreds of used for many different operations, but heavy guns. participated in D-Day and the Battle of it is now generally only used to refer to Normandy, in all the different armed And in our Mustangs we were flying the Allied landings in Normandy on 6 services: Australia, Belgium, through the invisible hail of friendly June 1944. Czechoslovakia, France, Greece, the shells landing beneath us as well as Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway highly visible anti-aircraft shells the Why was the expression "D-Day" and Poland. enemy was firing at us. used? All in all, what I saw and When a military operation is being How many Allied troops were involved experiencedonthatearlymorningof D- planned, its actual date and time is not in D-Day? Day was the most impressive my then always known exactly. The term "D- On D-Day, the Allies landed around very young eyes had ever seen -- or my Day" was therefore used to mean the 156,000 troops in Normandy. The now old eyes have ever seen. date on which operations would begin, American forces landed numbered Old? Suffice it to say that I am the only whenever that was to be. The day 73,000: 23,250 on Utah Beach, 34,250 pilot left alive out of the vital gang of my before D-Day was known as "D-1", on Omaha Beach, and 15,500 airborne RCAF squadron who fought D-Day and while the day after D-Day was "D+1", troops. In the British and Canadian the battles to free Europe. We lost and so on. This meant that if the sector, 83,115 troops were landed many to the fire of the enemy during projected date of an operation (61,715 of them British): 24,970 on those battles. Time has taken the rest changed, all the dates in the plan did Gold Beach, 21,400 on Juno Beach, of my comrades over the 64 years not also need to be changed. This 28,845 on Sword Beach, and 7900 Page 18 The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Week Ending June 7, 2008 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 airborne troops. accurate casualty statistics). their homes to escape the fighting. 11,590 aircraft were available to Casualties on the British beaches were How can I find out more about D-Day support the landings. On D-Day, Allied roughly 1000 on Gold Beach and the and the Battle of Normandy on the aircraft flew 14,674 sorties, and 127 same number on Sword Beach. The web? were lost. remainder of the British losses were There are many good websites about D- amongst the airborne troops: some 600 In the airborne landings on both flanks Day and the Battle of Normandy. Here were killed or wounded, and 600 more of the beaches, 2395 aircraft and 867 are some that you may find useful: were missing; 100 glider pilots also gliders of the RAF and USAAF were Encyclopaedia Britannica’s became casualties. The losses of 3rd used on D-Day. Normandy website: http:// Canadian Division at Juno Beach have normandy.eb.com/ Operation Neptune involved huge naval been given as 340 killed, 574 wounded A planning game from forces, including 6939 vessels: 1213 and 47 taken prisoner. Schoolshistory.org.uk about the naval combat ships, 4126 landing ships The breakdown of US casualties was preparations for D-Day: http:// and landing craft, 736 ancillary craft 1465 dead, 3184 wounded, 1928 www.schoolshistory.org.uk/dday.htm and 864 merchant vessels. Some missing and 26 captured. Of the total The BBC’s website about the 195,700 personnel were assigned to US figure, 2499 casualties were from Second World War, which includes the Operation Neptune: 52,889 US, the US airborne troops (238 of them stories of several D-Day veterans: 112,824 British, and 4988 from other being deaths). The casualties at Utah http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/war/wwtwo/ Allied countries. Beach were relatively light: 197, index.shtml By the end of 11 June (D + 5), 326,547 including 60 missing. However, the US For more websites about D-Day and troops, 54,186 vehicles and 104,428 1st and 29th Divisions together suffered the Battle of Normandy, see ourlinks tons of supplies had been landed on around 2000 casualties at Omaha page the beaches. Beach. What are some good books to read As well as the troops who landed in The total German casualties on D-Day about D-Day and the Battle of Normandy on D-Day, and those in are not known, but are estimated as Normandy? supporting roles at sea and in the air, being between 4000 and 9000 men. millions more men and women in the Hundreds of books have been written Naval losses for June 1944 included 24 Allied countries were involved in the about D-Day, and many are very warships and 35 merchantmen or preparations for D-Day. They played detailed. Here are some general books, auxiliaries sunk, and a further 120 thousands of different roles, both in the all of which are good starting points if vessels damaged. armed forces and as civilians. you would like to know more about D- Over 425,000 Allied and German Day and the Battle of Normandy. How many Allied and German troops were killed, wounded or went Stephen Ambrose, D-Day June 6, casualties were there on D-Day, and in 1944: The Climactic Battle of World the Battle of Normandy? missing during the Battle of Normandy. This figure includes over 209,000 Allied War II Carlo d’Este, Decision in “Casualties” refers to all losses suffered casualties, with nearly 37,000 dead Normandy Max Hastings, Overlord: D- by the armed forces: killed, wounded, amongst the ground forces and a Day and the Battle for Normandy John missing in action (meaning that their further 16,714 deaths amongst the Keegan, Six Armies in Normandy bodies were not found) and prisoners Allied air forces. Of the Allied Robin Neillands, The Battle of of war. There is no "official" casualty casualties, 83,045 were from 21st Army Normandy, 1944 Cornelius Ryan, The figure for D-Day. Under the Group (British, Canadian and Polish Longest Day: The D-Day Story circumstances, accurate record ground forces), 125,847 from the US Warren Tute, D-Day keeping was very difficult. For example, ground forces. The losses of the some troops who were listed as German forces during the Battle of Friday, June 06, 2008 missing may actually have landed in Normandy can only be estimated. www.ddaymuseum.co.uk the wrong place, and have rejoined Roughly 200,000 German troops were Section: Veterans their parent unit only later. killed or wounded. The Allies also In April and May 1944, the Allied air captured 200,000 prisoners of war (not History hits home forces lost nearly 12,000 men and over included in the 425,000 total, above). About 50 students from St. Mary High 2,000 aircraft in operations which During the fighting around the Falaise School visited the veterans' section of paved the way for D-Day. Pocket (August 1944) alone, the Germans suffered losses of around South Hill Cemetery to acknowledge Total Allied casualties on D-Day are 90,000, including prisoners. the 64th anniversary of D-Day and work estimated at 10,000, including 2500 on their history projects. dead. British casualties on D-Day have Today, twenty-seven war cemeteries While learning more about Canadian been estimated at approximately 2700. hold the remains of over 110,000 dead war heroes, these students were laying The Canadians lost 946 casualties. The from both sides: 77,866 German, 9386 flags in front of Canadian veterans' US forces lost 6603 men. Note that the American, 17,769 British, 5002 gravestones. casualty figures for smaller units do not Canadian and 650 Poles. always add up to equal these overall Between 15,000 and 20,000 French Dustin Paul, 17, is doing a project on figures exactly, however (this simply civilians were killed, mainly as a result his grandfather Bernard Joseph Paul, a reflects the problems of obtaining of Allied bombing. Thousands more fled Second World War veteran buried in The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Page 19 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 Week Ending June 7, 2008 the South Hill Cemetery. He said he's During the first year of the two-year However, people must not forget to interested to know more about his project, these students will learn about support the families of soldiers at grandfather's service during the war. the veterans' role during war. In the home, she added. second year they will do a biography “I’ve had a soldier tell me that they and learn about the life of vets. don’t have the hard job. The really hard "With these classes students become job in the military is being the one back aware with understanding of how home ... and a lot of people forget precious democracies are and how these (family members). We need to important it is to be a steward of our show them our appreciation, too,” she country," added Ogrodnick. said.

"We had a lot of tombs of war veterans Saturday, June 07, 2008 from Prince Albert and we need to JESSE McLEAN, The Observer show our respect for what they did for Section: RCL our freedom," said Rochelle Jalbert, 16, a Grade 11 student at St Mary. Students also had the opportunity to D-DAY Children help veterans learn more about the people with honour bravery, sacrifice different religions, buried in the cemetery.

Saturday, June 07, 2008 MOHSIN ABBAS , The Prince Albert Daily Herald Section: Veterans

Hundreds turn out to support troops Grade 11 students Dustin Paul, right, rubbed the gravestone of his grandfather Clifford Skarstedt, Examiner A cadet salutes Bernard Joseph Paul, a Second World War members of Peterborough Royal Canadian veteran buried in the South Hill Cemetery, Legion Branch 52 Colour Party during a D- along with Patrick Teichroeb, left, on Friday Day Service on Armour Hill yesterday. as part of their Grade 11 history project at Credit: The Examiner St. Mary High School. Credit: Herald photo by Mohsin Abbas On June 6, 1944, the skies calmed and SARNIA: Red. Remember everyone the sun shone over France to allow Paul is very proud of his grandfather deployed. more than 1,400 Canadian soldiers to and the millions of people who have storm the beaches of Normandy. served in the armed forces during the That was the message more than 150 wars. Canadians and Americans shared at "We are experiencing the miracle of D- Sarnia’s Royal Canadian Legion on Day again," Lt.-Col. Henry Clarke told "Doing my research I have learned Thursday to commemorate the 64th more than 120 students, veterans and more respect towards army veterans," anniversary of D-Day. members of the public who attended a said Paul. As part of their Grade 11 ceremony yesterday at Ashburnham history class project, each student The majority of the crowd donned red Memorial Park. made a rubbing of two gravestones and shirts in support of the Canadian picked names from it. Now, during the soldiers deployed in 16 operations "It appears the showers have broken class they will be doing more research across the world. again," he said with a glance at the for this project. They will explore “We’re wearing these shirts so soldiers sunny blue sky above Peterborough. individuals and their divisions to know know, whether they’re training, But the 64th anniversary of DDay more about that how Canadian and deployed or at home, that we will never service was about more than the lives Prince Albert veterans contributed to forget them and we’re proud of them,” sacrificed for our nation. the two world and Korean wars. said Kevin McHarg, a member of "It's about the children," Clarke said. "I "It was pretty special. Students were Sarnia’s fire department as well as the challenge the children to speak to very excited about the project and Canadian Ambassador for Hero to veterans to learn about what your showed interest," said history teacher Hero. grandfathers and great-grandfathers Dennis Ogrodnick. "We thought D-Day Hero to Hero is an U.S.-based program did that is so important to our country would be the appropriate day to go to that has sent more than 25,000 shirts and the world on D-Day." the cemetery and lay the Canadian flag donated by emergency-response in respect and get names of particular workers to soldiers overseas. And the children were up to the Prince Albert veterans to learn how challenge. they contributed to these wars." “Those men and women receive the shirts, and it means the world to them,” Like an adoring fan, Zach McConle, an Some of the students' fathers picked said program founder Liz Jackson. 11-year-old Grade 6 pupil at Rhema names before visiting the cemetery. Christian School, asked veterans to Page 20 The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Week Ending June 7, 2008 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 sign his T-shirt. shipped to England to fight with the * Stormont, Dunday and Glengarry British. Highlanders "I asked them to sign it so I could remember them for the war they Glenn said he joined the British and * 3rd Field Park Company Royal fought," he said. marched through Belgium and Holland. Canadian Engineers It was a powerful scene watching the "On March 24, with a second division of * Royal Canadian Navy smiling faces of Second World War paratroopers, we crossed the Rhine * Royal Canadian Air Force veterans hunched low to relate their and followed the left flank to meet with stories of sacrifice and triumph. the Russians." * Merchant Navy

"I love talking to the kids," said veteran The combining of forces led to the Saturday, June 07, 2008 tail gunner, Flight Sgt. William Judge. eventual end of the Third Reich. JAMES NEELEY,The EXAMINER Section: Veterans The pupils listened with deep interest Not everyone who served fought on the as Judge told them about the escape front lines, said James Johnson, gear each soldier wore. Second World War veteran as a Veteran's hard won medals member of the Royal Canadian Army "The top button of our collar was a vanish from Legion Service Corps and Royal Canadian compass," he said. Ordinance Corps. During an escape attempt, soldiers "We were the guys who followed the were instructed to match the shirt infantry throughout the war," he said. "I button with one from their pants to had a bird's-eye view and we were in determine which direction was safety, there to keep the soldiers going." Judge said. Johnson explained the ordinance corps Police appeal for help after items go Guest speaker veteran Wally Smith provided everything from ammunition to missing while Oakville man attends was what they called a DDay dodger, food, clothing and supplies to the dinner in Burlington. Clarke said. troops during the Second World War. OAKVILLE -- For 60 years, the most "He was already fighting in Italy when "We made sure they had everything telling souvenirs of John Healey's life the Canadians hit the beach." they needed." lay hidden in a black jewellery box Smith told the crowd they were barely big enough to hold them. A visibly emotional Mayor Paul Ayotte gathered to acknowledge and said although he was only four months The five military service medals were remember the men of the Peterborough old when D-Day occurred, he could still there in the mail one day, after he regiments who fought and the nursing remember his mother speaking of the returned to England, fresh from duty in sisters who served in Normandy. three men from his East City and after the Second World War. Never forget the women, he said. neighbourhood who stormed the beach They made it safely across the Atlantic and made it home. "There were a lot of women involved on the ship that brought Mr. Healey to because those boys so young had "Because of you I got to grow up in this New York, and on the train that wives, mothers and daughters," he great city and country," Ayotte told the delivered him to his new life in Toronto, said. veterans. in 1953. D-Day was not a one-day operation, "There were only like 16 (veterans) Mostly, they remained tucked away in Smith said, explaining that for years here but there could have been a lot his bedside table, through moves to six soldiers trained and for months leading more," said Alec Murdock, 11, a Grade houses, a half-dozen jobs, two to the invasion practice missions were 6 Rhema pupil. marriages, the births of several run to prepare for the historical assault. children, the death of his wife in 1990 "And the people who came back were and the years he's since spent alone, at "I think of a kid named Tony," he said, never the same." home in Oakville. explaining he and Tony used to swim at "I'm very thankful they fought for our Inverlea Park and dive off the Parkhill Then, two weeks ago, they vanished country," said Grade 8 pupil Justine Street Bridge. from the one place where they should Landry, 14, "because if not, we would have been safest: a Royal Canadian "Tony went down on the Athabascan in all be speaking German now." Legion hall in Burlington, during a April of 1944 clearing the English - - - dinner and dance for 200 people. Channel of mines in preparation of D- Day. Invaders Mr. Healey, 84, had taken his box of medals along to show a friend or two, in "So today Tony's memory comes front Among the more than 1,400 soldiers hopes they might tell him where to get and centre," Smith said. who took part in the D-Day invasion on them mounted for display on his blazer, June 6, 1944, seven units were from D-Day was a battle that led to the since he'd been invited to an Peterborough: liberation of France at the cost of more approaching military tattoo in Hamilton. than 2,000 Allied lives. * 4th Light Anti-Aircraft Royal Canadian "I left them on the table and went to the Artillery Glenn Brown, a member of the 1st next table to ask where to go," Mr. Canadian Paratroop Battalion, was * 4th Anti-Tank Regiment Healey said yesterday, sitting at his The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario) Page 21 WEBNEWS Volume - 2 Edition 22 Week Ending June 7, 2008 dining room table amid a steady stream "I think they were stolen and I don't keep Remembrance alive." of phone calls and visits from reporters. think I'll get them back," he said. "I The Community Engagement "When I came back to the table, the hope I'm wrong." Partnership Fund provides funding to box was gone." Saturday, June 07, 2008 non-profit groups, educational A friend alerted Legion officials, and an ANTHONY REINHART , The Globe and Mail institutions and other organizations Section: Veterans announcement was made over the delivering remembrance activities and microphone immediately, during the events. Administered through the dance. Nothing turned up. Korea Veterans Association Canada Remembers program of Veterans Affairs Canada, contributions Halton Regional Police have launched Receives Federal Support for are made throughout the year and an investigation and issued an appeal 55th Anniversary Event encompass both national and yesterday for the medals' return. community-based projects. As for Mr. Healey, he was blunt about To learn more about the Community what he would say to the person who Engagement Partnership Fund or to stole them: "I would talk with my fists." apply for funding, call 1-877-604-8489 Mr. Healey's hands, now a bit shaky or visit www.vac-acc.gc.ca. and spotted with age, have certainly endured worse. Born in Liverpool in Saturday, June 07, 2008 1924, he was weaned on the Veterans Affairs Canada Section: Veterans Depression and came of age as German bombs rained down on his city, ARNPRIOR, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - the hardest-hit British target behind June 6, 2008) - The Korea Veterans London. Association (Ontario Region) will "We had to dig them out one by one," commemorate the 55th anniversary of he said of the bodies buried under the Korean War Armistice at a two-day rubble not a mile from his family's home event in July, with support from the near Penny Lane, the street made Government of Canada. famous by the Beatles a quarter- On behalf of the Honourable Greg century later. Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, By the time he was old enough to join Cheryl Gallant, Member of Parliament the army at 18, it was 1942 and the war for Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, was in full swing. He spent two years announced today a contribution to the as an instructor, and was deployed Korea Veterans Association (Ontario briefly to the Ardennes, in the Belgium- Region). France-Luxembourg border region, Funding of up to $4,400, provided during the Battle of the Bulge in late through Veterans Affairs Canada's 1944. Community Engagement Partnership It was after the war ended six months Fund, will support a weekend in honour later, however, that Mr. Healey would of Korean War Veterans. On the see his most vigorous action, in weekend of July 26-27, Veterans will Palestine, where the British reacquaint themselves with old administration remained in place until comrades and share their stories with the creation of Israel in 1948. The participating Army Cadets. A parade to British policy banning Holocaust the National Wall of Remembrance will survivors from immigrating to Palestine allow all in attendance to pay their led Jewish insurgents to attack British respects to all those who made the military positions, and Mr. Healey, an ultimate sacrifice for Canada. Visiting infantry sergeant, lost several men. youth from Korea are also expected to participate in a ceremony. After his discharge in 1947, Mr. Healey received his five British Army medals in "This event will allow us to honour a the mail, among them the rare group of heroes who gave up so much Palestine medal and an Africa Star. to fight for the freedom of others," said They are near-worthless to anyone Minister Thompson. "We will never else, but to him "they represent an forget their strength and bravery and awful lot of people I knew," he said. the many sacrifices they made." "Six years of my life." "Canadian youth will have the After learning more in his lifetime than opportunity to hear personal accounts most people would care to know about from Veterans," said Ms. Gallant. "The human nature, he is not optimistic. experiences and memories they share will encourage these young people to Page 22 The Royal Canadian Legion, Fred Gies Branch 50 (Ontario)