Military Service Recognition Book 12 Life Decisions²,W¶V their Move, Respectfully By Monique Robichaud It was 1939, Allied forces were being called upon, our Canadians left as sons, daughters, friends and acquaintances and returned as veterans. Talking with David, Jim, Glen, Harold, Peter and Jean, I asked, "Why? Why go face-to-face with danger?" They all agreed, it was just something you had to do. Virtually all who enlisted had volunteered - following in footsteps, the cause or looking for adventure. Peter had been drafted to the Army, but quickly made the decision to join the Air Force, allowing him to finish his school year prior to training. +XQGUHGV RI WKRXVDQGV RI &DQDGLDQV EHWZHHQ WKH DJHV RI DQG HQOLVWHG WR MRLQ :HVWHUQ (XURSH¶V ZDU campaigns against Germany. When asked, "What was it like?' Silence fell over the room. :KLOH UROOLQJ WKH VWHP RI KLV ZLQH JODVV EHWZHHQ WZR DJHG ILQJHUV -LP VWDWHG ³7KH ZDU FKDQJHG HYHU\WKLQJ LW FKDQJHG HYHU\RQH RYHUVHDV DQG DW KRPH ´ :H VSHQW WKH QH[W ILIWHHQ PLQXWHV WDONLQJ DERXW µWKRVH GD\V¶ KRZ WKH HQOLVWPHQW DIIHFWHG WKHP DQG WKHLU IDPLOLHV -LP VDLG ³,W ZDV HVSHFLDOO\ KDUG RQ KLV PRWKHU ´ Peter shared an RAF photograph of more than 24 young men standing tall, shoulder to shoulder²a reminder that more than 40% of our male population had joined Allied forces. While looking at these men in the photograph you could see the values of integrity, duty, honour, and the personal courage in which they all shared²much like those sitting next to me. Values which made change I imagine²more manageable, and attained early on and throughout their tours of service. +HUH , DP WRGD\ VLWWLQJ QH[W WR µOLYLQJ FRQQHFWLRQV¶ WR ::,, WKH GHDGOLHVW and most destructive war in history. These veterans held their memories and combat experiences close to their vest. Not a word was shared of their experiences between the years of 1939-45. As we looked at the photo on the coffee table, I was sure the memory was bitter sweet. Peter spoke of a few who had returned home, finding success LQ YDULRXV EXVLQHVV YHQWXUHV DQG ILQGLQJ WKH WLPH WR IO\ µVLQJOH DQG WZR VHDWHU DLUFUDIWV RQ WKH ZHHNHQGV :KLOH their numbers grow smaller with each passing year, and flying is now a fancy of the past, Peter and his comrades cRQWLQXH WR PHHW VRFLDOO\ « WDONLQJ DERXW WKHLU SHUVRQDOO\ PDGH DLUFUDIWV DQG WKH VXFK Our conversation moved onto lifestyle changes, changes each of them had experienced more recently; and more to the point²I wanted to know why they had chosen to live in a retirement residence as opposed to keeping their homes or moving in with a relative. For David, Jim, Glen, Harold, Peter and Jean, Scarborough is their community, where much of their lives have been spent as independent civilians in the workplace, keeping a home, enjoying marriage, family and friends² all the while advancing into retirement years. Some things were inevitable to change, but independence and community were essentials, non-negotiables. They simply wanted to remain in control of their own quality of life. Circumstances (loss or hospitalization of a spouse) was the primary reason for their lifestyle adjustments. While it is normal to feel concerned about the aging process, it was evident that age is simply a number. And to Peter James, RCAF (LAC) CIC (CPL) RCAF (F/C)
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