Remembrance Day 2009

When my dad found out he was being posted overseas in two weeks, he married my mom. This happened in the same way for many couples of that time.

He was a pilot and flew Lancaster and Halifax Bomber on many missions. Dad has told us many tales of his time in the RCAF Squadron 429. At age 90, dressed in his airforce jacket deccprated with his wings and medals, I am sure he will be thinking of the many and varied experiences he had during the war years tomorrow on Remembrance Day.

His flight crew. He is bottom left.

Once again, thanks for fighting Dad. You are one brave hero of mine.

He wrote the following:

Remembrance Day

Crippled, bent, alone he stays

upon a bench.

No more he plays with children there

upon the square.

It hurts too much for him to bend

to let the small ones condescend

to hear the story

of his glory.

Many years ago they said

as he lay still upon a bed

"You can bet

We won’t forget.

"Have we forgotten then so soon

the ones who lived that afternoon

the shelling stopped

and war was not?

Remembering those who died in trench,

forget not him upon the bench.

When passing by give him a break

and stop, and smile and gently shake

his withered hand,

He’ll understand.

Doug Williams