On this day Canadians are asked to pause and remember the thousands of men and women who sacrificed their lives fighting for freedom and democracy during the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War and during peacekeeping missions. 
story and photo (below) by Bill Johnston It was a beautiful sunny morning, not a whisper of wind, a blue sky and cottony small clouds floating across the sky. It reminded me of my childhood sitting in our fishing boat, a flat bottom punt, looking down at the water. I was looking down waiting for the water to settle, and then seeing a mirror like image of the sky and the feeling that I was up in the sky looking down on the clouds. This morning I’m sitting on the deck enjoying the view. My in-laws are visiting after being in Ottawa seeing the new War Museum. They talk about the museum and I begin to reflect on wither the war was worth the cost and from my perspective it was. My father and I traveled on our fishing trips from 1929 till before the WWII from Toronto to Lake Simcoe, Georgian Bay, and the Kawarthas and up to Pembroke. I have pleasant memories of these times of quiet lakes, blue skies, rivers and streams. We walked on bush trails after dark. Our way was lit up by northern lights and we would see the occasional shooting star. I wanted nothing to disturb this life as I saw it. When I joined the army and went overseas, my mind would drift back to those happy times in the land of lakes and forests. Now here I sit 60 years later, enjoying the scene that I thought about during those difficult times in the war. Proud of my companions during the war, proud of the great effort made by the Canadian civilians and proud to be a Canadian. 
|
History of
the Poppy
Why was the poppy chosen as the symbol of remembrance of Canada’s war dead? The poppy, an international symbol for those who died in war, also had international origins. A writer first made the connection between the poppy and battlefield deaths during the Napoleonic wars of the early 19th century, remarking that fields that were barren before battle exploded with the blood-red flowers are the fighting ended. Prior to the First World War few poppies grew in Flanders. During the tremendous bombardments of that war the chalk soils became rich in lime from rubble, allowing “popaver shoeas” to thrive. When the war ended the lime was quickly absorbed, and the poppy began to disappear again. Lieut-Col. John McRae, the Canadian doctor who wrote the poem “In Flanders Fields”, made the same connection 100 years later, during the First World War, and the scarlet poppy quickly became the symbol for soldiers who died in battle. Three years later an American, Moina Michael, was working in a New York City YMCA canteen when she started wearing a poppy in memory of the millions who died on the battlefield. During a 1920 visit to the United States a French woman, Madame Guerin learned of the custom. On her return to France she decided to use handmade poppies to raise money for the destitute children in war-torn areas of the county. In November 1921 the first poppies were distributed to Canada. Thanks to the millions of Canadians who wear the flowers each November, the little red plant has never died. And neither have Canadian’s memories for the 117,000 of their countrymen who died in battle. 
So remember to support Branch No.381 this November by purchasing a poppy, and keep in mind that you do not have to wait until November to thank a Veteran!! Apsley Legion Branch No. 381- Scheduled Events DARTS Monday nights @ 7.30 $2.00 a head SHUFFLEBOARD Wednesday afternoons @ 1p.m $2.00 a head & Friday nights @ 7 p.m. JAM SESSION Friday nights @ 9 p.m. OCTOBERFEST BBQ DINNER Saturday October 15th 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. $10. Adults $5.00 kids HALLOWE'EN DANCE Saturday October 29th 8 p.m. to 1a.m. Costumes and Prizes $10.00 a head HUNTERS DANCE Saturday November 5th 8 p.m. to 1a.m. $10. a head or $5 a hoof. |
