Nov/Dec 2016 THE MERITTONIAN. Royal Canadian Legion Merritton ~ Branch 138. Remembrance Day

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1 Nov/Dec 2016 THE MERITTONIAN Royal Canadian Legion Merritton ~ Branch 138 Remembrance Day

2 What s Inside Last Post ~ 3 Presidents Message ~ 4 2nd Vice Presidents Message ~ 5 Sgt. At Arms Message ~ 6 Poppy Kick-off Parade ~ 7 In Flanders Fields ~ 8 John McCrae The Author of In Flanders Fields ~ 9 Colouring page ~ 12 Remembrance Day Word Search ~ 13 The Origins of the Memorial Poppy 14 Armistice Dinner ~ 16 Upcoming Events~ 17 Events Calander ~ 22 T was the Night Before Christmas ~24 From the Editor ~ 25 R O Y A L C A N A D I A N L E G I O N M E R R I T O N B R A N C H Primary Business Address Address Line 2 Address Line 3 Phone: Fax: Look us up on Facebook: Page 2

3 In Flanders Fields Page 3

4 LAST POST LIFE: Don McKay ORDINARY: R. Rennie E. Smith C. Cook All Canadian Soldiers from all conflicts past and present, who have lost their lives for the benefit of us and others. WE WILL REMEMBER THEM Page 4

5 PRESIDENT S MESSAGE Dear Comrades, The time has come once again where we take time to remember and honour all those who have served our great country. Our Remembrance Day celebrations have already started with the Poppy Kick-Off on Saturday at the Pen Center. We had a nice turn out and we are grateful for the Thorold Pipe Band for their participation once again this year. I would like to take a moment to remind all of our members that participating in the Poppy Campaign is your responsibility as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion. The boards are up in the clubroom and there are lots of spaces to be filled. Please take note of the upcoming Armistice Dinner, Church Parade and our Remembrance Day services at the Cenotaph. As we look forward to the coming winter months I invite you to continue to support the Branch regularly. Remember as well that we have all sorts of fun events coming up including: Karaoke with Karen Bower, Bingo Bowling, Turkey and Ham Roll, LA s Kris Kringle Vendors Fair, Kids Christmas Party, and New Years Eve Party. As well throughout the week we have, Euchre, Cribbage and our Toonie Draws, Steak Draws and our monthly. The fish fries will be starting up again after Remembrance Day as well. There are lots of things for you to do at the branch and we love to see you there! Respectfully Alex Verdile President Branch 138 Volunteers are needed around the Branch. If you have some time and can help out with an event or with something around the Hall please contact Alex or one of the Executive members! Page 5

6 2nd Vice Presidents Message It is that time of year when we as Legion members are most busy and in fact the most rewarded for our efforts. Remembrance or Poppy Campaign as most of us know it. We put on our best, be it our uniform or dress clothes and give of ourselves for a couple hours to sell our poppies, so that we have funds to assist our veterans (the Remembrance part) and our community. Today we have few veterans of the so-called great wars but we have many from other conflicts and peacekeeping duties. They too are just as entitled to our assistance and Comradeship, they have served their country. It s plain and simple. We must remember them all. We must strive to show we, as a Legion have not outlived our purpose, our purpose still lives on. It grows each day as we assist other nations, defend our own when needed and ensure the freedoms of all in this world. We must respect what the New soldier does, what he or she has to do. Our soldiers today make a conscious choice to enter our Canadian Armed Forces, yet accept whatever that assignment entails. Much like the soldiers of the First and Second World Wars they do not choose their fate, it is assigned. Let us all strive together on this upcoming Remembrance to think of all our soldiers, their sacrifices for us. Whether New or Old soldiers, in our hearts, they never die. They gave for us and defend us and all that we have today. William Borden 2nd Vice President / Poppy Chairperson RCL Branch138 Page 6

7 Sgt. At Arms Message Hello Comrades. By now, you all know that the Poppy Campaign is in full steam and we always have our parades, dealing with that time of year. We held our Poppy Kick Off Parade at the Pen Centre on Saturday, October 29 th. Our Church Parade goes on Sunday, November 6 th, forming up at the Branch at 910 in the morning. We are off to St James Anglican Church this year. Incidentally, St James will be closing as of January 20 th, 2017, with their last service held that day. It s sad to see 140 years of history in Merritton disappear. Our Remembrance Day Parade will form up at the Branch at 10:30 and march off to the Cenotaph, for our service and wreath ceremony. I am happy to announce that Afghanistan, has been added to the reverse side of our Cenotaph, directly below the Korean War. The following is a question that I am asked time and time again; Is there a proper way to dispose of worn-out Canadian flags? Evaluate your Canadian flag. If it is faded, worn or threadbare, it may be time to dispose of it. Even flying a flag with a single tear or hole in it is considered disrespectful. A good rule of thumb is that, if you have to consider whether it is time to replace your flag, it probably is. Choose an appropriate spot to burn your flag. If you are planning a brush fire to rid your yard of grass and hedge clippings or a bonfire to watch, these are appropriate times to dispose of your flag by burning. You can also burn your flag indoors in a fireplace or wood stove. Inappropriate flag burning situations include trash burning; it is disrespectful to burn the Maple Leaf with trash or cooking fires. Fold your Canadian flag up nicely. Be sure that it does not touch the ground or floor, if you can help it. It is not necessary to create a decorative fold, you are just folding it to make it easier to handle. Light your fire and allow it to burn long enough that you know it has taken hold and will not spontaneously go out. It is acceptable to use accelerants -- such as lighter fluid -- that you would normally need to get the fire going, just do not apply them to the flag itself. Place your Canadian flag over the burning fire. If necessary, adjust the logs so the fire continues to burn. It is acceptable to add logs to the fire on top of the flag, as needed. Allow the fire to burn until the flag is reduced to ash. Dispose of any remnants as you would in a typical fire. Be careful if you are using accelerants with your fire. Consider what the fiber content of your flag is when selecting a burning location. Some man-made materials may give off unpleasant fumes when they are burned, so consider burning a flag made from synthetic fibers outside. Mike Gander Sgt. At Arms RCL Branch 138 Page 7

8 Branch Colour Party at Pen Center The Thorold Pipe Band, Branch Colour Party and Ernie Adams - WW2 Veteran and Senior Past President of Royal Canadian Legion, Merritton Branch 138. Page 8

9 commanded in response to the Fenian raids from the United States in McCrae excelled as a student, winning a scholarship to the University of Toronto while only 16 years old. His university training was interrupted however after three years due to his battle with severe asthma. This did not deter him however. During his year off he was assistant resident master at the Ontario Agricultural College in Guelph where he taught English and Mathematics. McCrae first faced the tragedy of death while studying in the Halls of the University of Toronto. His sweetheart, a 19 year sister of one of his friends died of typhoid fever. This has often been suggested as the reason that he never married. In 1898 John McCrae received a Bachelor of medicine degree from the University of Toronto Medical School. He then moved on to work as the resident house officer at Toronto General Hospital until he moved to Baltimore and interned at the Johns Hopkins Hospital alongside his brother Thomas who had been working there since J o h n M c C r a e t h e A u t h o r o f John McCrae was the second son of Lieutenant-Colonel David McCrae and Janet Simpson Eckford McCrae. He was one of three siblings, a sister Geills, and a brother Tom. John hailed from a family that was well known for it s military service as well as for their love of poetry. His ancestors had fought against the English in Scotland, during the 1715 and 1945 rebellions. They had also put together the Fernaig manuscript, which was a book of Gaelic poetry that contained contributions by the family and by others. McCrae was born in Guelph on November 30, It s said that his mother loved to read poetry to the children and thus his love of poetry was seeded in him early on. He joined the Highland Cadet Corps at Guelph Collegiate Institute at the young age of 14 and later at age 16 joined the Militia Field Battery unit that his father had started and That day of battle in the dusty heat We lay and heard the bullets swish and sing Like scythes amid the over-ripened wheat, And we the harvest of their garnering. John McCrae, In Flanders Fields and Other Poems In 1899 he accepted a fellowship in pathology at McGill University in Montreal. He wasn t there even long enough to get settled however, before military service called once again. Volunteers were needed for the Boer War and McCrae quickly headed the call. He went as a lieutenant with an artillery unit and spent most of a year in South Africa. By 1901, McCrae had returned to Montreal and resumed his medical work and studies. As a Governor s Fellow in pathology he worked in research at the Medical Faculty Laboratories at McGill and also performed autopsy duties at the Montreal General Hospital. In 1902 he was appointed Resident Pathologist the Montreal General Hospital and later assistant pathologist at the Royal Victoria Hospital. Later that year continued his training for a number of months in England and became a member of the Royal College of Physicians. His career continued with many distinguished appointments. After opening his own practice in 1905 he continued work and lecture at several hospitals and was also appointed as pathologist to the Montreal Foundling and Baby Hos- Page 9

10 pital. He was popular and well liked with all who met him and was known for being able to find a story for every situation. In 1910 McCrae was invited to serve as expedition physician for Governor General, Lord Grey, as they travelled by canoe from Norway House on Lake Winnipeg to Hudson's Bay. Lord Grey was noted to have said We travelled 3,000 miles and McCrae had a story for every mile. On August 4th 1914, Britain declared war on Germany. As a member of the British Empire Canada was also at war. The citizens of Canada quickly responded and within three weeks approximately 45,000 Canadians had responded to the call. John McCrae was one of those. He promptly volunteered and was appointed brigade-surgeon to the First Brigade of the Canadian Field Artillery with the rank of Major and as second in command. McCrae brought his horse Bonfire with him into battle. During the war he penned many letters to his nieces and nephews supposedly Shortly before his departure, he wrote to a friend: It is a terrible state of affairs, and I am going because I think every bachelor, especially if he has experience of war, ought to go. I am really rather afraid, but more afraid to stay at home with my conscience. (Prescott. In Flanders Felds: The Story of John McCrae, p. 77) He spent the winter on Salisbury Palin in England and then in February of 1915 his unit sailed for France. On April 20th the Canadian division that McCrae s unit belonged to was ordered to relieve a French division in the Ypres Salient. This was the area that is traditionally called Flanders. It was during this time that some of the heaviest fighting of the First World War took place. On April 22, the Germans used deadly chlorine gas against the Allied troops in a desperate attempt to move forward and to break the stalemate. Through the debilitating effects of the gas the Canadian soldiers relentlessly continued on and held the line for another 16 days. John McCrae tended to hundreds of wounded soldiers every single day. He was surrounded by the injured, maimed, dying. Of this time who wrote these thoughts: The general impression in my mind is of a nightmare. We have been in the most bitter of fights. For seventeen days and seventeen nights none of us have had our clothes off, nor our boots even, except occasionally. In all that time while I was awake, gunfire and rifle fire never ceased for sixty seconds... And behind it all was the constant background of the sights of the dead, the wounded, the maimed, and a terrible anxiety lest the line should give way. (Prescott. In Flanders Fields: The Story of John McCrae, p. 98) Page 10

11 The day before he wrote his famous poem, that one of McCrae s closest friends was killed in battle and buried in a makeshift grave with only a wooden cross to mark his passing. That next morning he sat listening to the larks singing through the gunfire and shell blasts. The poppies were already starting to blossom between the crosses marking the graves of those who had fallen. Unable to do anything for those that had been lost he put pen to paper and gave a voice to them through his poem In Flanders Fields. McCrae submitted his poem to The Spectator, a British weekly magazine only to have it rejected. It was publish, anonymously on December 8th in Punch, which was Britain's leading satirical magazine. The words of the poem were quickly memorized by the soldiers however. Friend and college Andrew Mcphail said, The soldiers have learned it with their hearts, which is quite a different thing from committing to memory. It circulates, as a song should circulate, by the living word of mouth, not by printed characters. Soon after it was written, McCrae was transferred to No. 3 Canadian General hospital in France where he was the Chief of Medical Services. The hospital consisted of huge tents at Dannes-Cammiers until finally the bitter, bitter cold weather force them to move and they relocated in the ruins of the Jesuit College at Boulogne. It was a 1560 bed hospital that covered a huge 26 acers. It was here the wounded were brought from the battle of the Somme, the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the third Battle of Ypres and from Arras and Passchendaele. On January 24th, 1918, McCrae was the first Canadian to receive the honour of being appointed consulting physician to the British Armies in France. However, the asthma that had haunted him all is life, the poison gas used by the Germans and the cold, miserable weather and harsh conditions had taken its toll on his health. On January 28th 1918 John McCrae passed from this world due to double pneumonia. The following day he was buried with full military honours in the Wimerux Cemetery. His horse Bonfire led the way, adorned with white ribbon and with McCrae s riding boots backwards in the stirrups. A hundred nursing sisters stood in line at the cemetery to honour him. Back home in Canada, tributes were made in papers across the country and in medical journals. Memorial services were held in his honour and a stained glass window dedicated to him at McGill University with the inscription Pathologist, Poet, Soldier, Physician, a man among men. Soon after publication, In Flanders Fields became the most popular poem about the First World War. It was translated into many different languages and is known around the world. It was used on billboards as advertising for the sale of the first Victory Loan Bonds in Canada in The popularity of his poem also prompted the adoption of the Poppy as the Flower of Remembrance for the war dead. To this day people still honour the poet of In Flanders Fields by visiting the limestone cottage McCrae House where he was born. There is a memorial cenotaph and a garden of remembrance there as well. The Poppy and John McCrae s Poems still stand today as the voice of those who have died in war and continue to be a reminder for us each Remembrance Day: ~We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved, and were loved, and now we lie In Flanders Fields.~ Sources Listed on page 21 Page 11

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14 T h e O r i g i n s o f t h e M e m o r i a l P o p p y T h e P o p p y L a d y It was Saturday, November 9th 1918, only two days before the Armistice was declared at 11 o clock on the 11th of November. At the YMCA Overseas War Secretaries headquarters in New York a woman named Moina Michael was working in the Gemot in Hamilton Hall. This was reading room where U.S servicemen would often be found saying goodbye to their family and friends before they left on their tour of duty overseas. That day the Gemot was a buzz with activity, with people coming and going all day long. As well, the Twenty-fifth Conference of Overseas YMCA War Secretaries was in full swing. It was during the morning hours that a young soldier left a copy of the November edition of the ladies Home Journal on Moina;s desk. She was having a busy day, but around 10:30 am she found a few moments to spare and took a quick look through the magazine. She found a brightly coloured page that had the poem We Shall Not Sleep printed on it. This was another name for the poem In Flanders Fields that was penned by Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae. She had come across the poem before but on this occasion reading it the very last line was what caught and held her attention: If ye break faith, with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields. In her autobiography, entitled The Miracle Flower, she described this moment as a deeply spiritual experience. She felt that in some way she was being spoken to, even called to by the voice of those soldiers and officers who has been silenced by death. It was such a powerful moment in her life that she made a personal promise to Keep the faith. She decided right then and there that she would always wear a red poppy of Flanders Fields as a sign of remembrance. It was to be an emblem of keeping the faith with all who died as written in McCrae s poem. To further cement her vow she wrote her own response to McCrae s words in the poem We Shall Keep the Faith. Page 14

15 We Shall Keep the Faith Oh! You who sleep in Flanders Fields, Sleep sweet 0 to rise anew! We caught the torch you threw And holding high, we keep the faith With All who died. We cherish, too, the poppy red That grows on fields where valor led; It seems to signal to the skies That blood of heroes never dies, But lends a luster to the red Of the flowers that blooms above the dead In Flanders Fields. An now the Torch and Poppy Red We wear in honor of our dead. Fear not that ye have died for naught; We ll teach the lesson that ye wrought In Flanders Fields. There were three men that attended the conference that day and they asked Moina to accept a cheque for 10$ in appreciation for her attempt to brighten up the place with flowers. Their actions moved her and she told them that she would buy 25 red poppies with the money that they donated. She then proceeded to share with them the illustration from the article that contained John MCCrae s poem, as well as her poem of response. The delegates took both poems with them as they went back into the conference. Moina made good on her promise to buy some red poppies. She found one large silk poppy and 24 smaller ones in the Wanamaker s department store. Later that evening when she returned to the conference, many of the delegates asked her if she had a poppy that they could wear. She distributed her silk poppies to the delegates and kept only one to wear herself. This was the first time that poppies were worn in memory of all who died in Flanders Fields. Moina s religions upbringing inspired her belief that the Memorial Poppy was spiritual symbol not just a sentimental one. She even compared the poppy to the rainbow that is said to have appeared in the sky after the great flood in the Bible. She believe that the poppy brough a message of hope and optimisum for a world that was returning to a place of peace after the war to end all wars. Sources listed on page 21 Page 15

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20 December 11th 10am 2pm Royal Canadian Legion Br Chestnut St., St. Catharines Featuring EPICURE FOREVER LIVING CAKE & FLORAL CREATIONS by SANDI SCENTSY SWEET MAMA S PATERIES & PRESERVES SWEETLEGS 5Th AVENUE 31 GIFTS KEEP SHINING LOCAL ARTISANS L.A BAKE TABLE Sponsored by Ladies Auxiliary, Br. 138 Page 20

21 Late night buffet Party favours and Champagne Door prizes Doors open at 8pm Music 9pm $25 per Person Tickets can be purchased at the Bar Page 21

22 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 LA Meeting 3 4 Armistice Dinner 5 Karaoke With Karen 6 Church Parade Trivia with Kimmy 7 Cribbage 8 9 Executive Meeting 10 Seniors Euchre 11 Remembrance Day 12 Karaoke With Karen Cribbage Seniors Euchre 18 Toonie & Steak Draw 19 Karaoke With Karen Cribbage General Membership Meeting 24 Seniors Euchre 25 Toonie & Steak Draw 26 Bingo Bowling Monthly 50/50 Karaoke Cribbage Page 22

23 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Toonie & Steak Draw 4 5 Cribbage Seniors Euchre 9 Christmas Turkey and Ham Roll Kris Kringle Vendors Fair 12 Cribbage Executive Meeting 15 Seniors Euchre 16 Toonie & Steak Draw Cribbage Seniors Euchre 23 Toonie & Steak Draw 24 Christmas Eve 25 Christmas Day 26 Cribbage Seniors Euchre 30 Toonie & Steak Draw 31 New Years Eve Gala Page 23

24 This poem was written by a Peacekeeping Soldier stationed overseas. Submitted by Eric Jensen. T was the night before Christmas, he lived all alone; in a one bedroom house made of plaster and stone I had come down the chimney with presents to give and to see just who, in this home did live. I looked all about, a strange sight I did see; no tinsel, no presents, not even a tree. No stocking by mantle, just boots filled with sand: on the wall hung pictures of far distant lands. With medals and badges, awards of all kinds; a sober though came through my mind. For this house was different, it was dark and dreary; I found the home of a soldier once I could see clearly. The soldier lay sleeping, silent, alone, curled up on the floor in this one bedroom home. The face was so gentle; the room in disorder-not how I pictured a true Canadian soldier. Was this the hero of whom I d just read? Curled up on a poncho; the floor for a bed? I realized the families that I saw this night owed their lives to these soldiers who were willing to fight. Soon round the world the children would play and grownups would celebrate a bright Christmas day. They all enjoyed freedom each moth of the year because of the soldiers, like the one lying here. I couldn t help but wonder how many lay alone on a cold Christmas Eve. The very though brought a tear to my eye; I dropped to my knees and started to cry. The soldier awakened and I heard a rough voice; Santa don t cry, this life is my choice. I fight for freedom; I don t ask for more. My life is my god, my country, my corps The soldier rolled over and drifted to sleep; I couldn t control it, I continue to weep. I kept watch for hours, so silent and still and we both shiver from the cold night s chill. I did not want to leave on that cold, dark night; this guardian of honour, so willing to fight. Then the soldier rolled over with a voice soft and pure and whispered, Carry on Santa, it s Christmas day, all is secure. One look at my watch and I knew he was right. MERRY CHRISTMAS MY FRIEND AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT! Page 24

25 Dear Comrades, Another Remembrance Day has arrived and we have once again come to take time to remember those who fought for our freedoms here and around the world. Canada has a proud history of heeding the call in times of conflict and in leading the way in peacekeeping. I am so very proud to be part of this country. Each year the number of Veterans from past conflicts become fewer in number but we must not forget what they did for us. Their sacrifice is what made Canada what it is today. As we remember we can not forget our current Armed Forces and the service that are giving to make sure that we continue to have the freedoms that we have celebrated and enjoyed for all these years. As members of the Royal Canadian Legion we must continue to find ways to make sure that we and future generations do no forget. Please remember that part of our oaths when we became members was to assist with the Poppy campaign. I know for some it is hard to stand but we can bring chairs and tables for those who need to sit. As well the Poppy Chairperson has other things that need to be done and your help would be welcome there as well. Poppying is a small thing to do considering what has been done for us. Please participate. The seasons are once again changing. The summer has passed and the fall is fading into winter. Winter is always a challenging time for the branch. Its harder to get out when the weather is cold and snowy. All the extra clothes, the warming up of the car, the challenges of driving in the snowy weather all make it more difficult. Many travel to warmer southern locations for the season. But our Branch still needs your support. Please don t forget our Branch during the hustle and bustle of the Christmas holiday season. There are still lots of activities coming up for you to attend. Don t forget our upcoming Turkey and Ham Roll, our Christmas Party for the Kids, and our New Years Eve Party! Thank you again for all your support. I look forward to another year serving as your newsletter editor! Renee Resources for John McCrae article: In Flanders Fields: 100 years: Writing on War, Loss and Remembrance by Amanda Betts In Flanders Fields: The Story of the Poem by John McCrae by Linda Granfield and Janet Wilson Resources for The Origins of the Memorial Poppy article: The miracle flower: The story of the Flanders Fields Memorial Poppy by Moina Belle Micheal, pub 1941 The Poppy Lady: Moina Bell Michael and Her Tribute to Veterans by Barbara Walsh and Layne Johnson The Poppy: A Hisproty of Conflic, Loss, Remembrance and Redmeption by Nicholas J. Saunders Page 25