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Legion Musing

With Robert Simpson

Remembrance Day will soon be here.....

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

We are coming up to an important date. Nov 11th. It will be 90 years since the guns fell silent across the world. The war to end all wars was over. Millions lay dead, countless wounded. Sadly there have been many wars since. Sadly, too, Canadians have been asked to help in these wars. Canada has never started a war, but we have fought many and won them all. Which is why when other countries go to war, they always ask Canada to help. When there is so called Peace Keeping or Peace Making to do, they always ask Canada to help.

As a nation we dislike war, but when called to wage war there is none better than the Canadian soldier. We are the best, but it comes at a terrible price. The dead we all see. It seems, and rightly, we mourn their passing for theirs is the greatest sacrifice, so too those who returned home. However too often the wounded never seem to be thought of. Some of our wounds you can see, some we carry inside and these can be just as hard to live with as a missing limb.

The men and women of the military carry on the great traditions of the Canadian Armed Forces to this day. In faraway places such as Afghanistan they serve, they fight and sadly they die or are wounded. But it happens 365 days a year. Let us not just honour the living, the dead and the wounded on just one day. Let us strive to honour them every day until the last Soldier comes home. Every Friday we should wear Red to show support of the soldiers who serve, not the mission they may do. Please do not confuse the two. Show support for the soldiers. It helps them so far from home.

Our Poppy Campaign started with a Flag raising on Oct 30th. We were in the stores on Oct 31st and Nov 1st. If you missed us don't worry there are Poppy boxes all around. Remember that Poppies are not sold, they are given out for free so that citizens can show that they remember. Your donations when taking a poppy helps Veterans and their families all year around.

Events: The annual Church Parade is Nov 9th at Trinity Church at 10:30am. Nov 11th Ceremony is at the UAW . You'll want to come about 10:30am. Honour Guard Fish Fry is Nov 21st starting at 5:00pm dinner is served at 6:00pm which will be followed by an auction. This is an elevator fund raiser.

LEST WE FORGET



Robert Simpson was born in Amherst Nova Scotia. From 1976 to 1980 served in the Canadian armed forces He served in Cyprus 1978/79. He came to Wallaceburg where he worked at North American Plastics. He worked in Toronto as a computer technician. After suffering a heart attack 2002 he retired to Wallaceburg to be closer to his 3 daughters, and all his grandchildren. He is involved with Branch 18 Legion where he is on the executive; he serves as Seniors Chairman. also is currently Youth-Ed Chairman, Liaison with the Sea Cadets and Elevator Committee Chairman for the Legion. Robert is also working at starting up an Operational Stress Injury Peer Support Group in the area for Veterans of all ages.