Page 4 - Nov. 9, 2017

Editorial
I Do Not Know Your Name
EDITORS NOTE: It has become a tradition at e Independent to honour those who have died in service to our country the week before Remembrance Day. We do so with this verse.
I do not know your name
Nor for which battle you died.
I do not know your home,
Nor the tears that were cried.
I do not know where you rest
Nor the promises broken.
I do not know your uniform
And your fears lay unspoken.
But I know your spirit exists
at your courage is admired
And your sacri ce is honoured
By each soul that is inspired.
And I o er you from my heart ank you, to guardians unknown For o ering yourselves for us all at we may keep freedom...
Our home.
Sherrie Ball
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Page 4
The Independent
Thursday, November 9, 2017
Our Story
The me frame of this photo of Florence is not clear, but a few cars can be seen on the roadway. Some of the buildings
are familiar as a few s ll remain on the main street. This is looking north.
Petrolia Heritage Photo
Ordinary men doing extraordinary things
Heather Wright
One of the most profound experiences I’ve had as a reporter is a trip I took with veterans of the Second World War to Belgium. It was the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the country. About 20 veterans and a few reporters from the communities they came from went from city to city. The veterans were greeted as the heroes they were.
and dozens of other people slipped into the foyer.
her eyes, the soldier carefully broke it in two. He gave one piece to that little girl who now stood before me and told her his daughter would wear the other half.
Everyone wanted to meet them which came as no surprise.
I don’t remember her name today, but she told me. In her hand was a bracelet. She held it tight, careful not to let it fall as she told me her story.
But one event did surprise me. I’m not even sure what town the caravan of Canadians was in at the time - it has been many years since I made that trip and the memory is fading. What I do remember is the huge crowd of people which lled the hall. It was an evening event. I think there was music if I remember correctly.
She was a young girl during the Second World War. Her father was not with them and, of course, it was a scary time for her and her family.
“Will you tell my story? I want to nd this man. I want to thank him.”
It was getting warm in the hall, so I
And then she held up the chain. A Canadian soldier had befriended her, he had a daughter at home her age. He had purchased the necklace to give to his daughter on his return. But before
While I was catching my breath a woman approached me. She would have been in her sixties. She had beautiful blue eyes.
But she clearly remembered the Canadian soldiers arriving in her town and the joy which they brought.
Even though the
story was told, that soldier was never found. His name remains a mystery. For me, he is a symbol of all those who fought for a righteous cause; ordinary men, with families they had left behind to do extraordinary things.
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