Military Service Recognition Book

Military Service Recognition Book Volume VIII 126 705-738-6741 60 West Street, Bobcaygeon, ON Veteran Spotlight: NCO Ken May One night and one doctor changed everything for this WWII veteran. Born in 1921, Ken May joined the Royal Canadian Army at the age of 21. He and his brother were both sent overseas during WWII, and fought in various battles in Northern Italy. In December 1944, Ken received leave in Rome and was asked by another soldier to take his prayer beads to be blessed by the Pope. Not a Catholic himself, Ken went to the Vatican and knocked on a side door. A Swiss Guard helped him with his request. “However, when I got back [the soldier had been] killed. So I gave them to his friend, who said he would make sure his mother got them,” Ken said. “That was during the middle of the day. A little later on they called us all together, and said we’re going up on a midnight attack tonight. So I hadn’t had too much sleep, and now we’re going up on a midnight attack.” Their midnight attack on December 20, 1944, under an exceptionally bright moon, turned into an ambush. During the attack, Ken suffered seven bullet wounds. He was transferred to a medical hospital, where one doctor fought against amputating his right arm, which had been shattered by two of the bullets. The doctor won. Fifty years later, he and Ken would reconnect and discuss everything that had happened. To this day, Dr. Ganshorn is impressed that Ken regained complete use of his hand. Today, Ken is 99 years old. He recently 昀nished writing his memoirs, and is awaiting their publication. He is well known for his friendliness at Kawartha Lakes Retirement Residence in Bobcaygeon, ON, where he lives. “I have fun… I talk to more people in the dining room than anyone else!” Hover your phone camera over the code, open the link, and read the full story. Read more stories at https://blog.siennaliving. ca/lestweforget siennaliving.ca

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