National NEWSLETTER - Web Edition |
March 2007 |
Page 2 |
President Report - Carol Hadley
Happy New Year, everyone!! Best Wishes for a terrific 2007!
Well it’s hard to believe that I have been retired for a year now –time sure flies by when you’re having fun! Soon, curling will turn to golfing as we head to Texas for March trying to limber up for another wonderful year – hope the weather cooperates again.
All our Hong Kong veterans have received the wonderful book of memories that Nancy Hamer Stahl compiled of the student’s work that went to Hong Kong in 2005. This book contains the stories, poems, etc that the students created on an “adopted” member of “C” Force. The original piece of the work lies in the time capsule outside of Sai Wan Cemetery. Great job Nancy!!
Memorial Wall
When the Hong Kong Veterans Commemorative Association was formed, the veterans asked us to create a memorial so that the Canadians who fought in Hong Kong and what they experienced, would not be forgotten. It has taken a decade for our National Association and Regions to become fully operational and of course we have obtained our charity status. Recently an opportunity has come to light and we feel it is time to fulfill our promise to the Hong Kong Veterans.
The HKVCA have formed a committee to produce a Memorial Wall for ‘C’ Force, to perpetuate the names of the Canadians who went to Hong Kong. A design is almost complete, a fundraising committee has been formed and a search for an appropriate site is underway. We will keep you updated on the progress of this project in the newsletters and on our website.
Please consider this project very important when reviewing your gifts to charity. We will issue tax receipts for gifts over $20.00 and we will arrange for special recognition for large donations.
You may submit your donations through regular mail to your region’s treasurer, or the national treasurer, Barry Mitchell.
For your convenience we now offer you the opportunity to use your credit card to make donations through the CanadaHelps organization. A direct link is available on our website (www.hkvca.ca) or to facilitate this process you may use this link: http://www.canadahelps.org/CharityProfilePage.aspx?CharityID=d80969%20. This is a secure website where credit card and personal information is protected.
You may choose to place your donation into General projects, “C” Force Memorial Wall or any of the regions by using the arrow beside "Fund/Designation". Other choices available are for recurring donations, or on behalf of or in memory of another person. There is a box available for any other instructions/messages that you wish the Executive to have. Should you have any questions or concerns please contact Barry Mitchell (204) 269-1497 or Carol Hadley (204) 837-6754.
CanadaHelps is a charitable organization sanctioned by Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) to assist other charity associations with the collection of donations via the internet and to issue charity tax receipts.
If you wish to conduct your own fundraising for this project we would be very grateful but request that you notify your National or Regional Executive before you begin as there are guidelines that must be followed.
Elections 2007
The National Executive elections are completed and I congratulate all who have been elected for 2007 – 2008 term. Your new HKVCA Executive is: President – Derrill Henderson
Past President – Carol Hadley
HKVA President – Phil Doddridge
1st Vice – Murray Doull
2nd Vice – Helen Wedge
Secretary – Jim Trick
Treasurer – no nomination accepted so Barry Mitchell has agreed to continue for another term.
I know that the Association will be in good hands and will continue to grow under your guidance. I wish to thank the Elections Committee, Ron McGuire, Elections Chair, Mitzi Ross and Sandi Cameron Committee members, for their time and diligence to this task.
As this is the last time that I will be addressing you as President, I wish to thank all the members for the opportunity to serve this Association for the past six years and working with some wonderful, dedicated people.
The HKVCA Executive and Members can be proud of the accomplishments that have occurred in the past 10 years of our existence -
• We have 6 regions operating across Canada;
· we have kept the veterans and widows as our prime consideration out of respect and pride for all that they have done for us;
· plaques are marking 3 battlefield sites in Hong Kong;
· assisted Port Perry school trip to Hong Kong and the time capsule at Sai Wan;
· grave markers are on many HK veterans’ graves;
· we have hundreds of videotaped interviews of our veterans that we hope to have digitized and put on our website;
· A Memorial Wall project in the works;
· established charity status;
· recognition in some areas in education – curricula and resource books available; ON essay contest; developing speakers;
· regular meetings online for National Executive and most regions meet on a regular basis either online or in person;
· regular communication with our members through the WASURERU-NAI (National newsletter), the regions newsletters and our website (www.hkvca.ca );
· local and national gatherings such as lunches, reunions and biannual conventions.
And we are not done yet! There is still much to do and it would be wonderful to have more people on board to do it. Please, contact your local region or national executive and become involved – “many hands make light work” and bring new ideas and innovation to our Association.
Convention
Our next Convention in 2007 will be held in Calgary – the AB/SK, (Alberta/Saskatchewan) Region committees are finalizing the plans. Information on convention events is in the newsletter and we hope that everyone will consider attending. Mark your calendar for August 15 – 19, 2007 and we will see you in Calgary.
Padre
Jeff Forst, Great Grandson of Uriah Laite recently contacted the HKVCA to inform us of a project on which he is working. He is the fortunate recipient of an Osprey Community Foundation Literary Grant and Capitol Theatre Restoration Society for the creation of "Padre", a one-man play inspired by his great-grandfather Honourary Captain Uriah Laite's notebooks from Shamshuipo POW camp.
March 2007 is when the premiere will be held in Nelson BC, the script and subsequent DVD will be available to the public after that. This project will increase the awareness of the Hong Kong Veterans, our HKVCA and some of the revenue will come to our coffers – which is always a good thing.
We wish Jeff well in this project and welcome him to our association.
Deadly December
Ronald C. Parker, the son of a WWII Hong Kong veteran, has written a book that tells the wrenching story of one of the great battles of World War II, “DEADLY DECEMBER, The Battle of Hong Kong ”. Follow this link to http://www.lulu.com/content/561522 to purchase the book or to contact Ronald C. Parker:rcwp2000@yahoo.ca
Recognition
There are many individuals in our Association that have done a lion’s share of work to get the organization to where it is today. One such individual is Verna Pearson. She has recently had to leave her position as Secretary/Treasurer/Membership due to health reasons, both for herself and her ailing husband. We are truly sorry that she had to make that decision but we are grateful for the time and energy that she has put into the Atlantic Region in particular and the HKVCA as a whole. We sincerely wish that she and her husband’s health will improve.
Canadians continue to go into battle areas around the world. I received this information from the family of the late John James, WG – “I am writing to you to inform you that one of the members of the HKVCA, Corporal Stephen James Grandson of John James, will be going to serve his country in Afghanistan in January. He is currently a Medic with I Canadian field Hospital at CFB Pettawawa. He is scheduled to Leave January 26.” Please, keep Corp James, all our Forces and civilians that are in these trouble spots, in your prayers for their safe return.
I had a note from Roy MacEachern wondering if there was anyone who would have served with his Grandfather (Fred Arnold Wyrwas) originally from Inverness N.S., who was captured in 1941 and died in a Hong Kong POW camp Dec.24 1944? His email is royy@shaw.ca if you have any info for him. Thank you.
To those who are suffering or have suffered ill health – we hope for relief for you. For those who have suffered loss – we share your grief and wish you peace.
In closing, I will share this wonderful Irish blessing:
May love and laughter light your
days, and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours, wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
God bless!