Remembrance Day is an important opportunity to recognize and thank those who have served and continue to serve in our Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP.
More than 70 veterans live at our AgeCare communities across Alberta, BC and Ontario, and each one of them has made important contributions to the freedoms we enjoy today. Jackie, George, Len, Frank and John have graciously agreed to share their stories with us, reflecting on their time in the service and how it shaped their lives.
Jackie H., a resident of AgeCare Holyrood in Maple Ridge, BC, has lived a life in service to others, starting with her time as an Officers Driver in Halifax during World War II. “I would drive officers around as well as picking up wounded sailors from the port and bringing them to the first aide tents and hospital,” Jackie describes. “I also received my pilots license during the war.” In a male-dominated field, Jackie’s connections with other women were important. “There were only a handful of women who served alongside me, and we formed strong bonds and friendships,” she explains.
While there were certainly some difficult times, Jackie’s time in the service played a big part in shaping her life’s trajectory. “Serving in the war made me a very resilient and compassionate person and gave me the motivation to pursue my passion,” says Jackie “The degree I am most proud of is my Master’s in Social Work. I specialized in mental health care and housing for people with mental disabilities and worked as a social worker and seniors’ advisor well into my 80s. In 2014 I had the great privilege of being awarded the Courage to Come Back Award. MLA David Eby highlighted the work I did to change the face of mental health treatment in BC.”
George F. was a Royal Canadian Artillery Officer during the second World War in western Germany. He now lives at AgeCare Trilogy in Scarborough, Ontario. “My memories are fading,” George says, “but one thing that is clear is that I admire all the soldiers who fought for the freedom that we have in Canada.
George is proud to have received a certificate from Queen Elizabeth the Second acknowledging his appointment to an officer position in the Canadian Army. The badge of the Royal Regiment of Canadian artillery mug surmounted by The Royal Crown is another one of his treasured souvenirs. George sums up his experience by stating “what I’ve learned in life is that you can never take freedom for granted.”
A resident of AgeCare Royal Oak in Kingsville, Ontario, Len C. served in the air force from 1964 to 1969. As part of the base transportation team, Len “drove anything that had wheels and tracks”. A memorable period from his time in the service was the week he spent in the Arctic doing survival training – the recruits had to build their own igloo and stay in it in -50 weather and 50 mile per hour winds! When asked how his service experience impacted his life, Len explained, “I grew up! I was 17 years old when I went in; my mother had to sign for me. I went from a teenager to a man in 10 weeks.”
Frank C. is a resident of AgeCare Parkhill near London, Ontario. Frank joined the Royal Air Force in 1951 where he served two years in England as an aircraft mechanic. He credits his time in the service as a big part of what shaped him into the man he is today. “The Air Force taught me a trade – for two years I was able to hone my skills as an aircraft mechanic,” he explains. “It also taught me to work and get along with people and gave me the confidence to stand up for myself”. While Frank learned some important and enduring life lessons, there were also many moments of sacrifice. “One person who sticks out to me was a pilot who lost his life in a crash,” says Frank. “I had just fixed the plane before he went up, but an accident occurred during the flight, and he didn’t make it back”.
John H., a resident of AgeCare Brant in Burlington, Ontario, served in the Canadian Army from 1955 to 1963. He was stationed in the Middle East from 1958-1959, and then served at several different locations across Canada. The friends he made along the way were one of the highlights of John’s time in the service. “I made good friends with others in the Air Force and Navy,” he says. “A good friend joined the military the same day I did. We kept in touch until his passing, and his son went on to be a Brigadier General.”
Thank you to Jackie, George, Frank, Len, John and all the veterans living at our AgeCare communities and elsewhere across Canada. May we never forget their bravery and sacrifice.
