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From British Columbia ….

- Linda Stewart

You know how I like to brag about our mild winters in Victoria.  Well, that certainly was not the case this winter.  We’ve had rain and rain and rain. And major windstorms that knocked out power lines, along with snow that stayed and turned into slush that turned into ice.  And then more wind and more snow and more rain and constantly cloudy skies.  I’m sure you get the picture.  We’re all hoping for an early Spring. 

And so it was, on December 24^th 2006, at our traditional wreath-laying ceremony in Victoria.  It was raining and cold and windy.  When I arrived at the Cenotaph, several of those attending were huddled behind a large tree to escape the elements.  Thankfully, the rain let up later when Gerry Gerrard laid the wreath and we all gathered round to pay our respects.  In spite of the weather, there were about twenty family members, children and grandchildren of HK veterans at the ceremony.   Larry Stebbe had wanted to be in attendance as well but unfortunately he mixed up the time of the event and was at the Cenotaph at 10 AM instead of 2 PM.  I’m sure his comrades did not mind the solitary tribute. 

At Government House on October 25th, 2006, Hong Kong veteran Gerry Gerrard was honoured to present Lt.-Gov. Iona Campagnolo the first poppy of the Royal Canadian Legions' annual poppy campaign.  A picture of Gerry and Ev Gerrard with Lt.-Gov. Campagnolo appeared in the Victoria Times-Colonist and has been placed on our website.

On Wednesday, November 8^th, 2006, Larry and Anne Stebbe and Gerry and Ev Gerrard attended The Piper Richardson Repatriation Ceremony at the Legislative Buildings.

James Richardson, who had been a resident of Chilliwack, BC, was the only Canadian piper to be awarded the Victoria Cross. On Oct. 8, 1916, Richardson heroically piped the 16^th Battalion (Canadian Scottish) to advance against the enemy in the Battle of the Somme in the First World War. He was killed in action the next day, at the age of 20, and his pipes were considered lost forever on the muddy battlefield. Many years later, it was learned that they were actually the broken and mud-encrusted bagpipes in a display case at Ardvreck School in Crieff, Scotland.  Premier Gordon Campbell received the bagpipes on behalf of the citizens of British Columbia at the special ceremony on the steps of the Legislature. 

 We are very sad to report the death of Cy (Clarence) Stewart, HK veteran, with the Winnipeg Grenadiers.  Cy passed away on November 1^st, 2006 from cancer.  I spoke with Marje who told me that Cy’s wishes were to be cremated and have his urn placed in a niche at Hatley Cemetery.  He requested that there be no ceremony.  So Marje, his children and their spouses and children had a gathering when they placed his urn in the niche he had chosen.  She said that’s the way he wanted it.  Cy and Marje would have celebrated their 25^th wedding anniversary on December 12th, 2006.  Our most sincere condolences go out to Cy’s family and friends.

Lucille Warren passed away on December 9^th, 2006 at the age of 88.  She was in a long-term care facility in James Bay in Victoria.  Lucille was the widow of Robert (Bob) Warren who had been a member of Brigade Headquarters. 

Remembrance Day in Victoria had better weather.  There were blue skies over the Cenotaph as I laid a wreath at that ceremony on behalf of the HKVCA.  There were a huge number of people of all ages in attendance.

Aubrey Flegg has never missed placing a wreath on Remembrance Day on behalf of the Hong Kong Veterans since his return from the war in 1945.  Aubrey continued the tradition this year in his hometown of Kelowna.  Frank Brown and Bill Doull laid a wreath together on Nov. 11 in Sardis as the skies cleared showing the snow-topped mountains.  They marched together never missing a step and spent time talking to the families that approached them after the ceremonies.  Dale Miller (daughter of Stanley W. Wright) laid a wreath on behalf of the HKVCA in New Westminster.  Don Muir (son Of Bill Muir) laid a wreath on behalf of the HKVCA with his family present in Armstrong.  Sylvia Bigras (daughter of Elmer Weibe) laid a wreath on behalf of the HKVCA in Hagensborg.  Murray and Lucy Doull laid a wreath on Christmas morning on behalf of the HKVCA in Ucluelet.

Our traditional annual Spring Lunches will be held in June this year.  One will be in Victoria and the other in Vancouver, as usual.  Murray Doull will be sending all BC members the details when he mails out the membership cards and decals to the vets and widows.  This is a good time to remind you that membership fees (still $15.00) are due for 2007.  You may send them care of Murray Doull at 20368 Kent Street, Maple Ridge  BC  V2X 1A6.

Please accept our warmest wishes for the very best in the New Year.  We hope that 2007 brings you good health, much happiness and continued success. 

We wish you all the best for 2007.  Take good care of each other.  Until we meet again.

From Alberta-Saskatchewan …

- Gail Richoz

Wow - 2007 is already here!

Our Convention committee is in full stride, and there’s lots of excitement and enthusiasm in the air, so hang on to your hats!  But as my dad (Ed Shayler) always says - first things first!

The Ab/Sask HKVCA Regional Exec would like to wish all of our Veterans, their families and our members a Very Happy and Healthy New Year!       And for those of you able to attend our special event in Calgary this fall, we hope you will have many wonderful and lasting memories of 2007, to share and keep. 

Since our last newsletter, we are sorry to say Patti Stebbe had to resign her position as Chair of the 2007 convention committee.  We would like to express our thanks to Patti for her great efforts in getting the ball rolling, and especially in securing such a high profile and prestigious venue as the Hyatt for the HKVCA National Convention from Aug 16 - 19. 

We are pleased to introduce Marilyn Pridgen as our new 2007 Convention Chair.  Marilyn is Ralph MacLean’s daughter (residing in Calgary), and brings with her lots of enthusiasm and solid organizational skills (she has 4 children! – and we all know how much organization that must take!).  We hope you will give Marilyn your full support, in ensuring our Ab/Sask Region hosts the best HKVCA National Convention yet.

Thanks to continuing efforts of all the HKVCA, we are very proud our Hong Kong Veterans are no longer hidden from the eyes and minds of Canadians. We must not let the opportunity to build on our previous efforts slip away. The 60^th VJ Day celebration in Ottawa (2005) will be a hard act to follow, but Marilyn’s team is up for the challenge – with your help!

On a final note, in this New Year please reach out to your family and friends and encourage them to join the HKVCA Assn.

And for our Veterans' sake, please join Marilyn and her team in Honouring our Heroes   – Preserving our History.  

 

From Manitoba ….

- Juliet Lafortune

Well here we go again

There hasn't been too much happening here in Manitoba.

We had our luncheons regularly at St James Legion, the 2nd Thursday of the month - we would like to see more people come out and join us.

We had our Tea and Tidbits had 15 Ladies join us. We had a good time and again we would like to see more ladies come out and support us.

We are saddened to hear of the passing of so many of our members. Our condolences go out to the families.

There is a commercial on television that really touches me and it is the one of the lady sitting in a rocking chair and there isn't anyone visiting or helping her. We need to remember that we have veterans and widows who are in Seniors Home that would enjoy a visit from us - LET US NOT FORGET THEM.

I was notified of one of our members passing, she was a young woman not a relative just a friend to the HKV's, Jodie Fast. She helped with the convention in 2001.

I heard from the Wiebe family and Florence is holding her own. She has had a couple of strokes but is in good spirits. I'm sure Dick Wilson would like to hear from you and so would Freddie Poitras.

If you have any information for us or want to let us know about some thing we can help you with please notify us.

Congratulations to George Peterson on his speedy recovery from his knee surgery and Happy Birthday to you also George.

Please write on your calendars the date for the meeting and Lunches and Tea &Tidbits, VJ Day and The Convention In Calgary this year in August and the Reunion in October here in Winnipeg.

Bye for now, Till The Next time we Speak May God Keep You All Safe.

From Ontario ….

- Mike Babin

Fifty HKVCA members, including five Veterans (Alfred Babin, Flash Clayton, George MacDonell, Fred Mason and John Stroud), braved rainy weather and a major road closure to attend our Ontario General Meeting on October 28 at the Boulevard Club in Toronto.  We began the meeting with coffee and muffins and ended with a luncheon, which gave everyone a chance to chat and get caught up on the various happenings with our membership.  This was our first regional get-together in two years, and it was great to see such a good turnout.  Some of the attendees came from as far away as 400km!

Highlights of the meeting included the presentation of Special Contribution Awards to Veteran Bob “Flash” Clayton and his wife Jesse, and Veteran George MacDonell for their absolutely tireless work in visiting schools and volunteer groups, talking to the media and in many other ways spreading the Hong Kong story.  After last year’s pilgrimage to Hong Kong, George wrote and published a memoir titled “The Last Goodbye” which is a wonderful memento and a great tribute to all Hong Kong Veterans.

We also honoured Nancy Hamer Strahl and her husband Mike, who were not only key organizers of the 2005 Durham School Region trip to Hong Kong, but continue to aggressively promote the Hong Kong story to teachers and students across Canada.  Mike and Nancy produced a book titled “Passing the Torch - Our Youth Remembers Hong Kong” which contained not only wonderful photos of the pilgrimage, but also many of the essays written by students about the Veterans and their exploits, trials and tribulations.

Nancy also was instrumental in the production of a TV documentary on the school trip by Rogers TV, which has been shown on the Rogers cable system in Ontario.

It’s heartwarming to have such a dedicated group of people who believe so strongly in the goals of the HKVCA and who so selflessly spend their time and energy talking to others about Hong Kong.

 In keeping with our commitment to educate Canadians, and particularly young Canadians about Hong Kong, on November 3rd and 4^th we participated in the Ontario History and Social Science Teachers’ Association’s Annual Conference (OHASSTA). We were able to connect with about 250 of the teachers taking part, discussing with them the Hong Kong story and the importance of using the Ten Lessons in the classroom so that their students will better understand the importance of the role played by our Canadian soldiers in the Battle of Hong Kong.

Then, on December 1^st in Peterborough, we were able to present two workshops to the teachers of the Kawartha Pine Ridge Public School Board.  Two Veterans - George MacDonell and Flash Clayton - along with Ten Lessons author Nick Brune participated.  There were over 50 in each session and the audience was most appreciative of what the veterans had to say.  The incisive and enthusiastic questions posed by the teachers made it clear that they intend to bring the Hong Kong story into their classrooms using our “Ten Lessons” material.

To show the importance of reaching out to schools, we’ve renamed Pat Turcotte’s Publication Committee to “Education Committee”.  Pat and her team will continue to seek out opportunities to present workshops around the province.

And we’re proud to announce that in October Pat announced an essay contest that will pay cash prizes for the best essays written on the Hong Kong story.  This contest is open to high school students across Canada, in both English and French.  We encourage all HKVCA members to promote this contest to their own children and grandchildren, as well as to their local high schools.  (link deleted)  Although by the time this newsletter reaches you, time will be short to write an essay, we do intend to repeat the contest again next year.

Finally, I’m very pleased to announce that Denise McLachlan has taken on the role of our regional Secretary.  Denise’s father was Winnipeg Grenadier Tony Gelley, who sadly passed away last August.  Denise is already making a great contribution to our work in the region.

This will be the last national newsletter before the Calgary convention.  I’m looking forward to seeing as many as possible of you in Calgary  …  it’s shaping up to be a great event!

From Quebec ….

- Lucette Mailloux Muir

Greetings to all.

Hope you all enjoyed a nice and joyful summer and festive season. 

Since our last newsletter I attended our monthly on-line national meetings as regularly as possible. 

In August we attended the internment of Lancelot Ross in his hometown of Hopetown, QC.

We held our August Reunion in Granby, QC. It was well attended and from many notes, calls and comments, everyone had a good time.  In attendance we had eleven Veterans, many Widows, Family members and Friends of the HK Family for a total of eighty-three.  Six of our Provinces were represented by our guests from as far as BC, Sask and Manitoba with of course Ontario, NB and Quebec.  The weekend started with the meet and greet then our Joint-General Meeting, Commemorative Ceremonies, Parade and Flag deposit by all HK Vets present for our deceased Vets.  Philip Doddridge laid the HK wreath, Lucette Muir for the Commemorative Association, HK Widow Renee Giard for our Widows and Patricia Maltman from Winnipeg for all the Grenadiers.  We then enjoyed a casual meal and entertainment and a closing banquet, drawings followed by dancing to close the event.  Our “Honorary President” of the 2006 Reunion Organizing Committee was Oswald Clark.  The winners of our ticket draw were: Eili Viner of Calgary AB, Raymond Quirion of Montreal and Perce QC and Veronica Hunt of l’Ange Gardien QC.  Congratulations to all winners and great camaraderie was shared by all and thank you all how helped to make this Reunion a success by your participation.

In October we closed the books on a very successful Reunion of last August 2006. 

In Quebec City we attended the burial of the ashes and the celebration of life for Albert and Monique Russell.  Unfortunately, due to prior commitments, we were not able to attend the funeral for Oswald Clark, Reginald Law HK Vets, Kenneth Lyons son of Henry Lyons and a Commemorative Member and the late notice of the death of Rollande Miller a HK widow.  We will remember them!

Yours truly attended our local Armistice Ceremonies and deposited a wreath in memory of all Hong Kong Veterans and Quebec Region HK Veteran Dempsey Syvret motored to Ottawa to deposit the Hong Kong wreath for all HK Vets at the November 11^th Ceremonies.

We prepared and mailed our Newsletters “The Torch” in September, December and the next one will be in March.

We enjoyed a relaxing Christmas Season and January and we are now making plans for our next Joint-Executive Meeting, activities and next Reunion.  We, and many of our members are looking forward to the next Calgary Convention.

That is it for this time.  Enjoy; be good to each other and all the best for 2007.

From the Atlantic ……

-Neil Darragh

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