Salute to Soldiers held at Barrie Legion
By Ian McInroy
Posted 6 hours ago
Cheyenne Hall has a personal connection with Canada's soldiers from the Great War and she shared her story during Salute to Soldiers, held at the Barrie Royal Canadian Legion Sunday afternoon.
Hosted by the Barrie and District Irish Claddagh Club, Salute to Soldiers was intended to highlight the importance of Canadian veterans of all conflicts and the sacrifices they have made.
Canadian Armed Forces Capt. Mehdi Imtiaz, of Innisfil, described his experiences after 33 years in the Canadian Armed forces, including tours in Afghanistan, the Sudan and others.
"As a serviceman, I appreciate what the Royal Canadian Legion does. It stands up for us," he said, adding that he is proud of what our troops accomplished in Afghanistan.
The country isn't necessarily perfect now that the Canadians have left, he said.
"Did (Canadians) make it a better place? Yes. You do what you can to help and that's all any of us can do."
Eastview Secondary School teacher and veterans expert Clint Lovell also spoke to the crowd.
Lovell is organizing another veterans-oriented trip to Europe ? Vimy 2012 ? from Apr. 4 to 12 and is inviting other area students interested in going to contact him.
The students and other Barrie and area residents will visit Anne Frank's house in Amsterdam and the nearby Vught concentration camp.
From there it's on to Flanders where the famous poem by John McCrae was written. Students will take part in a torch relay with the McCrae family. They will also visit Somme, where the Royal Newfoundland Regiment was wiped out.
They will get a first-hand look at Juno Beach and also take part in 95th anniversary services at the Vimy Ridge monument.
Eastview student Cheyenne Hall, 15, is travelling with the group in April.
She is keen on learning more about Canada's participation and contributions in the First World War.
"I want to trace my ancestors' footsteps and where they fought. It's important to know how you got here. They (all veterans) fought for your freedom," she said.
Hall read a poem written by her great grandfather, Corp John Clark, to a fallen friend and soldier during the First World War, one of thousands of men who gave their lives.
"It was a poem he wrote about Pvt. John Lee when he died in 1916," she said. Lee is buried in Belgium while Clark survived the war.
"They were best friends when they were growing up together in Scotland," she said. "Everybody (all the soldiers) had an important part to play."
Angie Chisholm, of the Irish Claddagh Club, was inspired to organize the event by her father-in-law Donald Chisholm, who was one of the first radar operators in the Second World War.
Canada is the great country it is because of the sacrifices veterans have made in conflicts around the world, she said.
"These are the people who have put their life on the line. And while they won't admit it, they are heroes."
imcinroy@thebarrieexaminer.com
Comments on this Article. You are currently not logged in.
Topic guidelines: We welcome your thoughts, stories and information related to this article. Please stay on topic and be respectful of others. Keep the conversation appropriate for interested readers.
Source: http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3428986
cotto ncaa bowl games bowls brooke mueller herman cain harry potter and the half blood prince city of ember
কোন মন্তব্য নেই:
একটি মন্তব্য পোস্ট করুন