December 2000

Members Remember (page 1)

This year the Institute paid tribute to veterans with a Remembrance Night Diner. The virtually sold out event was hosted by the President, Col Paul Black. There were four speakers, who were introduced by Capt Charles Scott-Brown and they all made spellbinding addresses.

The first speaker was a new veteran and Peacekeeper, MGen Lewis MacKenzie who expressed his satisfaction in the way Canadians are embracing Remembrance Day. He said, "Last year on November 11th I driving along a highway between television interviews. Just before 11:00 o'clock I pulled over and stopped to observe two minutes of silence. I looked around and at least 16 other vehicles had pulled over and the drivers were standing on the side of the road." After a pause to let the full impact of his message sink-in he added, "That would not have happened a few years ago". On the question of the current of the operation effectiveness of the Canadian Forces, Mackenzie said, "There was a time when I did not think that that Canada's commitment to Peacekeeping operations was having an adverse impact on the Canadian Forces. Now I believe does". Then he went on the to elaborate. The second speaker was LCdr John Frewer who had been attached to the Royal Navy and was on board HMS Edinburgh in 1942 during a run from Murmansk. The cruiser, which was on convoy escort duty, was hit by two torpedoes from a U-boat. Unknown to the Germans the ship was carrying £44 million in gold as Russian payment for war materials. It sank several days later. LCol Frewer provided a riveting account for the extremely unpleasant living conditions onboard a Corvette in the North Atlantic in winter during convoy escort.

LCol Tom Gilday offered the audience a glimmer of his considerable experience serving in the Special Service Force. This included the do's and don'ts of survival on the battlefield. A big don't is not to move consciously across open terrain in enemy's view. The people you are going to liase with will not appreciate the unwarranted attention you might bring with you. He then went on to describe of the heroics of the troops who served under him.

F/Lt Ed McKay, a veteran Spitfire and Typhoon pilot. F/Lt McKay gave an insight into the challenges of converting from flying a Spitfire to a Typhoon. He explained the intricacies of diving through enemy anti-aircraft to engage a target. McKay said that after 800 hours on combat operations he returned to Canada to become an instructor. The first thing he had to do when he returned home was to learn to drive a car.

November is decision month on both sides of the border. First it was the election in the States, followed by municipal elections in Ontario. Then the writ is dropped for a federal election at the end of the month. Just to keep everyone on their toes, and just in time for Christmas the Museum Committee holds the annual auction. To bid or not bid can be more taxing than deciding were to put your X on the ballot, but the relief of being out bid or gratification of getting what you want can be just as rewarding. As in previous years the Dining Room was filled to overflowing as members and guests This year the gravel was wheeled LCol John Gibson and LCol Ed Raymond and they aided in raising $9,000.00 on the sale of 77 items from a rather spectacular oil painting that was sold again before leaving premises, to Soviet memorabilia, safe weapons.

Chief Don Maracle, Chief of the Bay of Quinte Mohawks addressed members and guests in the Library. In his speech he covered the historical support that Canadian aboriginals have consistently provided the Crown in times of conflict. A support that has been not reciprocated with the onset of peace. His presentation covered pre-confederation Canada to date. During question period LCol Tom Gilday mentioned that a soldier who served under him, Sgt Tom Prince MM, lost his native status by joining the Canadian Army as volunteer.

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