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REMEMBRANCE DAY
A Special Supplement to
The Free Press
Thursday, November 9, 2017 Page A11
Page A12 Thursday, November 9, 2017
REMEMBRANCE DAY
On this Remembrance Day, take the time to stop and think about the thousands of Canadians who have selflessly given their lives to protect this beautiful nation.
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Thanks to these courageous men and women who bravely fought in the name of freedom, Canadians have the opportunity to live in a country where peace and democracy reign free. To honour their memory and acts of valour, wear your poppy proud, and participate in a moment of silence at 11:11 a.m., wherever you may be.
Remembrance Day Services Saturday, November 11
Come out and honour our veterans Sparwood, BC
Royal Canadian Legion Branch #81 10:00 a.m. Church Service, Seniors drop-in centre at 101 Pine Avenue 10:45 a.m. Parade formation after service 10:55 a.m. Cenotaph Ceremony located at the Sparwood Public Library March back to the seniors drop-in centre, hot chocolate for the participating youth. A hot meal at Michel-Natal Branch 81, 117 Centennial Square.
REMEMBRANCE DAY
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Thursday, November 9, 2017 Page A13
Lest We Forget
Elkford Remembrance Day Service 10:00 am 10:45 am 11:00 am 11:30 am
Alliance Church Service Procession to Cenotaph at District of Elkford Office (816 Michel Road) Cenotaph Ceremony Refreshments at the Elkford Community Conference Centre
Kenneth C. Carlson Capt. Retd., enrolled in Oct. 1941 with the R.C.N.V.R. as a stoker This part time service came to an end in Jan. 1942, with a call to active service. Capt. Carlson served until demobilized in Aug. 1945. In 1949 he became an officer in the Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corp in Kelowna and subsequently was involved in the start-up of the corps in Vernon and Williams Lake, B.C., retiring in 1971. A former resident of Rocky Mountain Village in Fernie, now at the age of 95, he resides in the George Derby Centre in Burnaby, and is a prolific poet.
Idle Thoughts, 2017 The date is easy to remember, November eleventh, 1918. But do we really think of the way things might have been? Are we celebrating a victory, or the return of peace? Or just satisfaction that the shooting and war did cease.
Western FINANCIAL GROUP
We attend the service at the cenotaph, hear the bugle call. The piper plays the lament, the vets march to the Legion hall Where a toast is drunk to absent friends of long past Then reminiscing and bragging and tall tales come fast. But do we think of what has come since that war ended? Think of the wars fought since, of lives lost or upended Due to dictators or usurpers who don’t like the way The rest of this world would like to live today. The return to peace is what we should remember When we gather at the memorial on eleventh of November. Any war veteran will tell you, and they know it well That fighting a war is like living in Hell. Now you don’t need to be in the armed forces to be A victim of aggression. The war spreads unmercifully With bombs let loose, and other attacks from the air There is no place to hide, no lives do they spare. Human nature all through history is war after war No matter if they have fought that battle before No lessons have been learned on how to get along Nor can some countries differentiate right from wrong. With nuclear armament the latest bomb threat could see The end of our world, or maybe just you and me! We can always hope that cooler heads will prevail And that our peaceful overtures will not fail. November eleventh enjoy the get together and think How lovely is peace, let’s step back from the brink. Wars are no longer fought with sword or lance, Weapons now are more lethal, so give peace a chance. As a war veteran myself, I’ve seen my share of strife And have lived a full and enjoyable life But war doesn’t treat all equally, luck plays a big part So praying for peace will be a good start, By Kenneth C. Carlson, Capt. Retd.
REMEMBRANCE DAY SERVICE Fernie, BC
10:40 am 10:55 am 11:00 am 11:45 am
Parade marches to Cenotaph Cenotaph Service 2 Minute Wave of Silence begins Parade forms up and marches back to Legion
An Ecumenical service will follow in the Legion Hall
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we shall remember them. An Ecumenical service will follow in the Legion Lounge
Page A14 Thursday, November 9, 2017
By Anne Gafiuk
D
ean Jerome Wa s h b u r n ’s name is found on a street sign, connected to a mountain north west of Fernie, plus etched in stone in the cenotaph outside the Fernie Courthouse. Dean was born on February 22, 1921 in Lindsay, California, arriving in British Columbia with his parents, Lenox and Teresa, as a young child. His sister, Lenora Frances, was born a few years later. Dean attended Fernie High School from 1937 to 1941. His strengths were in General Science and Industrial Arts. He enjoyed sports including hockey, basketball, swimming, hiking and skiing. As a teenager, he held jobs as a grocery store clerk and as an apprentice ice operator for East Kootenay Power Co. before enlisting in Calgary with the Royal Canadian Air Force in the summer of 1941. He went through the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan to become a pilot, travelling first to Manning Depot in Brandon, Manitoba. He then worked his way through flying school, taking him to Regina, Fort William, Ottawa, Halifax, and Torbay, Newfoundland before making his way overseas in October 1943.
REMEMBRANCE DAY
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The Name Behind the Street
He was first mentioned in the Operations Records for 438 Squadron on July 9, 1944, flying a Typhoon. “Aircraft detailed to attack target, armed with 500 lb. bombs, inst. nose, .025 tail. Aircraft unable to locate target, only one aircraft dropping bombs on woods. 10/10 cloud, very thin base. 4,500’. Intense light flak encountered.” He was well thought of. Evaluations included: “A good Officer and pilot. Should do well overseas. An above average pilot. A good leader with an exceptionally keen pair of eyes. Quick to act in emergencies. An asset to the Squadron. An extremely capable pilot with excellent leadership qualities. Cool in emergencies.” Dean, like the other Typhoon pilots, would fly on average two daytime sorties. In a newspaper article, Dean was quoted about the sortie he was involved with in Holland. “F/O Dean Washburn, Fernie, BC, said there were lots of hits on the gate. ‘The winco’s bombs hit nicely between the locks and a small bridge, but they skipped right out under the bridge. I saw Banting’s bombs hit right on the bridge at Grijpskerk and it blew up with a bright flash.” On Christmas Eve, 1944, Dean, with seven other pilots, suited up
for their first sortie of the day. “8 x Typhoon 1B detailed on Armed Recce to Malmedy Enskirchen - Mayen - Houffalise Area. Aircraft patrolled area and attacked scattered Met. in southern portion of area, claiming 2 smokers. F/O D. J. Washburn was hit by flak at 600 ft at F.1303 and spun in. Aircraft armed with cannon only.” Another pilot was also hit while diving in on a tank. Both were believed killed. Fifty percent of Typhoon pilots were lost every 90 days. On December 27, 1944, Mrs. Washburn received a letter from the Squadron Leader, Commanding 438 Squadron. The purpose of the flight was to attack any enemy vehicles that might be in the target area. Your son spotted a vehicle in a small village and while
best pilots when this aircraft did not return for Dean has proved himself to be a great pilot. He had completed 82 operational sorties amounted to 86 hours over enemy territory diving and firing upon and was nearing the the target at less than end of this operational 1000 feet, he was seen tour. Your son was popular to be hit by enemy flak. The aircraft was seen to with the Squadron and recover, momentarily, was fast becoming an from its dive and then ace pilot. He’s greatly spin into the ground. missed by his comrades I regret to inform you and his loss is regretted that, as no parachute by all. The stretch of Mt. was seen, there is very Washburn Street is little possibility of Dean not long. It houses a being safe. We lost one of our school and a few homes
in the Mountview neighbourhood of Fernie. Mount Washburn, with a glacier on its north side, is the highest peak between the Elk and Bull Rivers, rising to a height of 3033 m (9951 ft.), is about 45 kilometres from Fernie via Sulphur Creek Road and Bull River Forest Service Road. Both the street and the mountain are fitting tributes to a young man from Fernie who, after the war, wanted to return to school to study electricity and continue to fly.
High Flight By P/O John Gillespie Magee, Jr. RCAF By Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth, And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I’ve climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds, - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of –Wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov’ring there I’ve chased the shouting wind along and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air… Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue I’ve topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace Where never lark or even eagle flew.. And while with silent lifting mind I’ve trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand, and touched the face of God
THANK YOU VETERANS & FAMILIES
WE SHALL NOT FORGET – EKC REMEMBERS THOSE THAT SACRIFICED ON OUR BEHALF f EKC is closed Remembrance Day November 11 f Sparwood branch will be closed Monday November 13 and reopen on November 14 EKCCU.COM CR ANBROOK • ELKFORD • FERNIE • SPARWOOD
REMEMBRANCE DAY
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Fernie's Honour Roll
Thursday, November 9, 2017 Page A15
To our Veterans We salute you.
(as it appears on the Fernie Cenotaph) WWI
J.C. Deed David Logan Frank Townsend Frank Herron Adam Howieson Andrew Cameron Garfield Mitchell James Scott J.J. Hixon T.J. Smith L. Tebo Thomas Wakelem John F. Annan G. Chedgy Joe Dingsdale Robert Connell William Fitzgerald Walter Harrison William Forsyth T.S. Ingram Pete Kennedy Harry James Thomas Martin Jock Kellog James Hixon Harry S. Branch John Myers N. Alke William Prince William McArthur Harry Zuince Hugh McLarkey Leonard Richardson Thomas Sowers Nathan Riley James Steele James Harrison Norman McBean J. Steele Robert J. Black John B. Cartmell Joseph Fearon James Corrigan Robert Forsyth James Gorrie Kenneth C. Carson R.R. Henning Angus Dunlap Charles Hunnable Thomas Martin
Stewart G. Corsan Joseph Leyland Peter Joinson Hector Murray Murdock McKay Thomas Shields Pasquale Perri William Peet Holden D. Stewart William Richardson William Wilson J.J. Martin Sam Poxon Charles Young Richard Strain John Anderson Thomas Dixon J.M. Murphy Arthur Slade Earnest Wilson George Evans John T. Dixon Jock Anderson John Appleby T.W. Stephens Cecil Holmes William McGuire Arthur Hopwood John Bough T.A. Fitzgerald James Corrigan Peter Green Sydney McHugh Alex Bunch William Phillips Thomas Wood F.M. Whitlow Charles Clarke Thomas Phillips James Raven John Gaskell A.G. Smith William Grant
WWII
Ronald Brewer Frank Corrigan Thomas FitzPatrick Paul Frayne William Gill James Howell Leslie Hunter Frank Ingram Peter Kane William Klauer William Mahoney Jack McCluskey James McLean Peter Stefik John Swope Alex Swiderski Frank Townsley Earl VanBuskirk Dean Washburn Fred Worth
1791 9 Ave, Fernie, BC V0B 1M5 Phone: (250) 423-4222
“At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we will remember them”
Korea 1950-1953 Vincent Liska
“Lest We Forget
Erected to perpetuate our honoured dead and those who carried on in the Great War from Fernie and District.”
This saying is found on the Cenotaph in Fernie, which was erected on Victoria DayMay 24, 1923. The Cenotaph is still standing tall today in front of the Courthouse in Fernie.
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Honouring those who served
Page A16 Thursday, November 9, 2017
REMEMBRANCE DAY
For Your SACRIFICE For Our FREEDOM
THANK YOU!
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A place of reflection
D
uring the month of November many C anadians, veterans, war widows, and family members take part in annual pilgrimages to the fields of battle abroad. Of course, this custom does not often include the general public, but it is still possible to perpetuate this tradition in a tangible way by visiting one of the war memorials in your area. There are more than 6,600 memorials across Canada commemorating veterans and those who lost their lives. On November 11, Remembrance Day, why not take your family to a park or cemetery to visit a war memorial? Make the most of this moment to teach the younger generation about the importance of honouring those who sacrificed their lives for the freedoms we enjoy today. This is also a marvelous opportunity to teach your children more about the work carried out by historical societies in communities across the country. Indeed, it is these societies who often help to pass on this heritage to those Canadians willing to listen. Your local historical society will be able to share literature and maybe even personal stories about the people from your town who went away to fight.
Phone: 250-423-7944 891 4th Ave, Fernie BC
Email: cmfs@shaw.ca www.cherishedmemoriesfs.com
Cherished Memories
Funeral Services Ltd. & Cherished Memories Crematorium Ltd.
The Canadian government has developed programs to ensure that the cenotaphs and other monuments erected to the memory of those who lost their lives are maintained in an appropriate manner and that military events comprise all the suitable pomp ceremony. These programs also aim to help communities organize moments of silence in honour of fallen soldiers, a central feature of any Remembrance Day ceremony.
Open regular hours on Remembrance Day Open: Sunday - Saturday • 7am - 10pm
Highway 3, Fernie 250-423-7387
REMEMBRANCE DAY
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A flower, a poem, a campaign
R
emembrance Day on November 11 commemorates the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of the year 1918. This is when the Armistice was signed and is also the date marking the official end of the First World War. To commemorate this day, you are invited to participate in the annual Poppy Campaign, the Royal Canadian Legion’s main source of fundraising, which allows this organization to continue its work with veterans in need.
Thursday, November 9, 2017 Page A17
We will remember them.
Nowadays, Remembrance Day includes all wars that have occurred since the Great War. Indeed, there has not been a single day since 1918 that has not been marked by a war or armed conflict somewhere on this planet. So, to put an end to all wars, people across the country wear poppies in their lapels and decorate war memorials with wreaths and bunches of poppies on November 11. Why poppies? Because this red flower recalls the famous poem “In Flanders Fields”, written by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae during the First World War. This is the most frequently read and quoted poem about war. It is the mention of poppies in the first and last verses that has turned this flower into an emblem of remembrance and a symbol of new growth in the devastation left by war. We must all remember the terrible toll wrought by the First World War: the death of 16.5 million people, including 9.7 million military personnel. The Second World War, the bloodiest conflict in our history, saw the deaths of 60 million souls, one third of which were military personnel. Please visit veterans.gc.ca for more information about the Remembrance Day campaign.
On Remembrance Day… We recognize the many sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform both today and throughout our nation’s history. We honour their courage and dedication, and we thank them for their contribution to our country.
Thank You, Veterans.
113 Red Cedar Drive, Sparwood 250-425-6489 * 792 2nd Avenue, Fernie 250-423-4607
Page A18 Thursday, November 9, 2017
REMEMBRANCE DAY
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Lest We We Forget Lest Forget Remembering the sacrifice of ource of our Remembering the sacrifi Veterans and working towards towards Veterans and working peacepeace acrossacross the globe the globe
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e W t Les et g r o F
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A day to remember... Thank you to those who sacrificed for our freedom.
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