Across the Nation
Reports from the Regions
BC Banter
Ab/Sk Action
Manitoba Moments
Ontario Offerings
Quebec Quotes
Eastern Breezes
BC Banter ….
With fall upon us, the BC Region would like to express best wishes to all Hong Kong veterans, widows, HKVCA members, family and friends.
For those of us from BC who attended the National Convention in Granby, we would like to convey our gratitude to the QC Region. Lucette Mailloux-Muir and her devoted team were wonderful hosts and all the events ran like clockwork. We brought home many fond memories and were grateful for the opportunity to honour our veterans.
Two HK vets from BC were in attendance with family members. Gerry Gerrard (RCCS) and Bill Doull (RRC) made the long journey back east. Gerry was accompanied by his grandson Brian White and Bill attended with his wife Claire, his daughter Sandra and his son Murray. Other BC members in attendance were Gwen Day, Helen Knowles, Evelyn Pink and Ron and Lise Bullard.
We have been invited to attend the 3rd annual George Derby Centre “Tribute to Our Veterans” event on September 17 in Burnaby, BC. The information and details are on the website. We will be setting up our Region’s audio/visual display and answering questions to those in attendance. Gerry Gerrard (RCCS) is travelling from Vancouver Island to attend with his daughter Bev Campbell and her husband Eric who live in Maple Ridge. Bev and Eric’s daughter Tracey Campbell works at the Centre which houses approximately 350 veterans. Lee Naylor and I will arrive early and set up the display. There are many veteran associations in attendance and this has always proven to be a wonderful tribute to all Canadian veterans. It is a perfect venue to educate the public about the story of ‘C’ Force and our display is always very well received.
We have also been invited again this year to set up our HK display at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria during Veterans Week in November. A decision will be made soon regarding our attendance.
Lee Naylor, who wears two hats being our regional Director and Education Chair, has been invited to give a one hour presentation about ‘C’ Force at the Abbotsford Evangelical Free Church on Oct. 20. Lee’s presentation is titled “Canadian Hong Kong Veterans: In Battle, as POW’s, Wounds and Closure”. Lee’s presentation will be part of the Hands on History sessions with Todd Farion. Lee will be speaking between 2:00pm and 4:00pm. The address of the church is 33218 Marshall Road in Abbotsford BC for those who can attend.
Many of you are familiar with Graeme Stacey who pioneered the addition of the Hong Kong Veteran’s story in the BC senior high school social studies curriculum. Graeme’s work can be found in the “Teacher’s Zone” on our website. Graeme and Lee continue to work closely together on new educational projects to teach the story of our HK vets to students. Graeme is creating a Hong Kong History Document as part of a Critical Thinking Consortium Project which will be available in the future as part of a national collection available to history teachers across Canada. The collection will be comprised of topics relating to 20th century Canadian history.
Respectfully submitted by Murray Doull on behalf of the BC Region.
Ab/Sask Action...
As the National President, I am writing this short note to the members of AB/SK in an appeal to keep this Region active. Norma Fuchs and Gail Richoz have done a wonderful job in keeping the members informed. However now their situations have changed and they need help with volunteers to take leadership roles to continue the work that has been done in the Region. Norma’s number is 1-403-280-5680 and Gail’s number is 1-403- 208-0022. Please give them a call and offer your assistance.
Thank you. Carol Hadley
Manitoba Moments ….
Hello one and all
Well here we are with fall upon us. In Manitoba we are having beautiful weather, hopefully it lasts. Since the last newsletter we held our VJ Day Celebration and we were honoured to have the Lieutenant Governor Philip Lee in attendance. We had two HK veterans in attendance George Peterson and Bill Bell Sr. With losing so many of our veterans it was so special to have them there. The Colour Party and our piper did a great job. We had a packed house for VJ Day and it was great to see the support from the other Veteran Groups and Legions.
The Tea and Tidbits was held and we had a small attendance of six woman.
We have accepted the Convention to be held here in Winnipeg in two years so we will be starting on preparations for that event.
I am now working on the LAST BIG REUNION DINNER to be held on October 22 2011. His Honour Philip Lee will be attending the Reunion with his wife. The reason we are no longer having the gala evening is because of the lack of attendance from the members. We will be holding smaller event in its place. We need your support to keep the memory of the veterans alive so come out to the functions that are being held.
Grant Shepard is not well but we wish him better health. George Peterson is having a knee replacement October 21 and will not be able to attend the Reunion.
Thank you to Lucette and her committee for a great job on the convention I was unable to attend but heard through the grape vine all had a wonderful time. Well that is all. Stay in touch, until we meet again. Juliet Lafortune Regional Director Manitoba
Ontario Offerings….
From our Regional Director, Mike Babin: Congratulations to Lucette Mailloux Muir and her team for staging an excellent reunion in Granby in August. This was my first Quebec reunion, and I was impressed by the organization and camaraderie. It was terrific to see the eight Veterans who were there, as well as a good number of HKVCA friends.
Back in June, several of us attended the Foundation Day dinner of the Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) Association in Toronto. As you know, The Volunteers were Hong Kong residents – British, Chinese and others – who fought alongside our soldiers against the Japanese invasion. George MacDonell was an honoured guest at the dinner, and received a standing ovation from those present.
As you all know, this is the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Hong Kong. Geoffrey Emerson, a Hong Kong resident and author, is organizing a reunion of the Stanley Camp Internees from November 28 to December 5. Much of his program is of interest to us and anyone thinking of visiting Hong Kong at that time should consider joining the program. For further information, you can contact Geoff at emerson@netvigator.com.
Have an enjoyable fall!
2011-06-18
Veteran Luncheon Crystal Beach 2 Gerry Sunstrom & Ken Pfiher
2011-06-18
Veteran Luncheon Crystal Beach
Gordon Coyne, our Area Representative for the West Central reports:
Veteran Ken Pifher (RRC): The sun is shining brightly where Ken lives in Grimsby, Ontario, as a huge grape harvest ripens on the vine. He is having an excellent summer, leading a very active life. In June he was asked to represent the Hong Kong Vets at this year’s edition of the Canadian International Tattoo in Hamilton, Ontario. It was a very proud moment for him; and soon he will be on his way to attend the Annual Conference in Quebec. Bravo, Ken!
Veteran Gerry “Sunny” Sunstrum (RRC): When I spoke with Gerry recently he was feeling like the proverbial old soldier who’s get-up-and-go has “got up and went”. His next door neighbour in Niagara Falls, with whom he has enjoyed lunch at Timmers every day, has also “got up and went” to a retirement residence. The good news is that all Gerry’s medical tests are “normal”. A high point of his summer, he says, was attending the very memorable Area Luncheon hosted in June by Lori Atkinson-Smith.
Widow Elizabeth Chesser (Ken Chesser RRC): In her 91st year, Elizabeth is being well cared for at Extendicare, Brampton, Ontario. Her daughter Kathleen works nearby, so is able to look in on ‘Mom’ regularly. Elizabeth has lost all her mobility, but makes up for it with her cheerfulness. Using her wheelchair, we took an interesting tour through her large ‘home’. We also had a happy time reviewing photos of the Dedication of the Memorial in 2009.
Widow Sylvia Doucette (Gerald Doucette RRC): When I called Sylvia on July 29th I was startled to find her celebrating her 77th birthday. Happy Birthday Sylvia! May you realize your wish to “live to 90”. She continues to live independently in her bungalow in Brampton, Ontario. Her daughter Roseann lives nearby, so is able to stay in close touch. Sylvia was able once again to enjoy an extended winter vacation with family in her native Guyana.
Widow Dorothy McColm (Murray McColm RRC): When I met Dorothy for the first time recently, she was resting comfortably in the sunny Common Room of St. Joseph’s Villa, a nursing home located in Dundas, Ontario. A serious stroke has left her unable to speak. Her daughter Elaine lives nearby so can look in on her regularly. Dorothy’s room is decorated gorgeously with family photos, and includes her late husband Murray’s Hong Kong crest.
Widow Doris Murray (Gordon Murray RRC): We are indebted to Doris’ son Bert, who lives in Brampton, Ontario for this update on his mother. Doris is receiving continuing care at Faith Manor, a nursing home in Brampton. Bert describes her as being “comfortable and happy, and well cared for”, but little aware of her surroundings. She is in her 87th year.
Widow Marjorie Overton (Bill Overton CPC): Marjorie always provides us with a very cheery conversation. Now in her 82nd year, she has lived for some time in an apartment in Mississauga, where her daughter is able to look in regularly. Unfortunately, Marjorie has had several serious health issues in recent years, and these have curtailed her once-active social life. She has fond memories of attending many meetings of the Association when her husband was alive.
Widow June Smith (Harold Smith RRC): June continues to live independently in her home in St Catharine’s, Ontario that she and Harold bought many years ago. Fortunately, she has a son and daughter-in-law living nearby who are a big help to her. June had big news when I called her….the birth of her first great-great grandson several days previously. She told me the baby, Mateo Smith, is a “gorgeous little fellow at 9 pounds, 2 ounces”. Congratulations June! She describes our Association as a “wonderful organization”, adding “I’m glad it is there”.
Jackie Le Drew, our Northern Area Representative, sent in this item: Mrs. Doreen Berry (North Bay) widow of Harvey Berry WG will turn 87 this month and just had a great-grandson born September 10th, Nolan Reed, 6 lbs. 10 oz.
A note from Sandra Brazel and her mom Gladys Brazel widow of Arnold Ervin Brazel RRC (both from Emo) visited the HKVCA Memorial Wall in August in Ottawa. Sandra said she felt so proud to be the daughter of Arnold.
Quebec Quotes ….
- Lucette Mailloux Muir, Regional Director
Greetings from sunny Quebec.
After a great sunny and warm summer and a very good turnout for our National Convention, things are returning to a bit more normal pace. More to say on the Convention and Quebec activities will follow in this edition of the Wasureru-Nai.
We are at work in preparation for the November Remembrance period as schools are back for their sessions and the vacation periods are over for the most part.
We will shortly be holding our fall executive meeting and plan for the upcoming New Year.
A call for membership renewals for 2012 is also being prepared as this year is fast coming to an end and notes to our sick will be mailed.
At the risk of repeating the news I will close this report at this time.
From our house, to your house Happy Thanksgiving and take care of each other. Till next time.
.^
Eastern Breezes…
- Emmie Flanagan, Regional Director
Greetings from the East Coast.
Apparently the weather stations are saying we had a "Soggy Summer"... so I’m hoping it was good for our local farmers.
My mom (Clara) and I attended the National Convention in Granby, where we were blown away by the professional organization and attention to detail from Lucette Mailloux and her team. It takes a lot of hard work and dedication to pull this off without a hitch and Lucette did just that! Thank you Lucette for showing us such a great time!
It was an honour to meet with the eight Veterans who attended. I only wish we could have had more time to chat. Many of you went out of your way to travel such a long distance and my hat’s off to you all for being there to help spur us on, the HKVCA was only so blessed with your presence.
It was also wonderful to finally meet Regional Reps and Board Members. You’re a great bunch of people and very dedicated to the mission of our association. I look forward to meeting with you all again.
HKV Bill McWhirter along with other HKV family members attended the Annual Maritime/Gaspe Reunion in Florenceville, NB on the weekend of Sept. 10th. Again, it was very well organized by the Darrah family. Without a doubt we must recognize the Darrah's and give them much thanks for keeping our region together for so many years, as this year marks the 20th time they’ve held this reunion. They have given so much over the years where thank you is an understatement to their commitment and dedication.
It was decided at the general meeting, the next Annual Maritime/Gaspe reunion will be held in Belledune, NB on the weekend of September 5, 2012. We thought we should give the Darrah’s a break and have them come here without worry of time and schedule. We also anticipate this time line will coincide with the unveiling and "Dedication" to our ‘C’ Force Memorial in Belledune.
Until next time, have a wonderful Autumn and take care.