Military Service Recognition Book 40 Derksen Mechanical Services (DMS) specializes in industrial piping and equipment installation for new construction as well as expansions, maintenance turnarounds, and plant relocations. We provide a comprehensive range of engineering, construction, procurement, project management and quality inspection services in sectors such as oil and gas, mining, petrochemical, hydro generation and food processing. DMS is proud to support the Royal Canadian Legion COMMITTED TO SUCCESS 125 Higgins Ave. Winnipeg, MB, Canada R3B 0B6 O ce Ph: (204) 668-4460 www.dmsindustrial.ca Jayna Butler, age 14, a grade 9 student of Gilbert Plains, Manitoba, was honoured to have the experience to attend the National Remembrance Day Service in Ottawa on November 11, 2011. Her 2010 essay entitled “To My Grandpa” placed first locally and provincially and second nationally in the Legion essay contest. Her 2011 essay entitled “Freedom is a Gift But It’s Not Free”, placed first locally. Jayna had 2 great-grandfathers who served in World War II. Jayna travelled to Ottawa with her mother Kristine Butler and her maternal grandparents Ivan and Marlene Miller of Stonewall, Manitoba. Her two essays are printed below. I am very proud of this young lady. — Brenda Cairns Freedom Is A Gift But It’s Not Free On November 11th of each year, we take the time to remember the ultimate sacrifices that so many men and women have given to our country from halfway around the world. At Remembrance Day services across the country, we hear the names of the fallen Canadian soldiers and we lay wreaths to honour the bravery and courage that they displayed in the battles they fought. Remembrance Day is more than just wearing a poppy. It is a day that we recognize the many Canadian men and women who have answered the call standing tall so that we may live in peace. After the World Wars, there were many soldiers that did not come home who were instead laid to rest. These soldiers’ families did not get the chance to say their final good-byes, never mind have the chance to welcome them home. These soldiers never had the opportunities to raise their families or to hold their grandchildren in their arms. They gave the ultimate sacrifice to Canadians. Lucky for us, my two great-grandfathers were both welcomed home from World War II, leaving the battles behind them. They were able to lead the lives that we wanted and were able to create lasting memories with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. For this, we are thankful. Still today, many brave men and women continue to fight for Canada’s freedom and are stationed in countries on peacekeeping missions. These brave Canadians step foot onto dangerous soils everyday risking their lives and hoping that they will one day again walk onto Canadian soils to be welcomed home by their loved ones and not be brought home in a flag covered coffin. Canadians stand behind these heroes every day. To me, Remembrance Day is more than just wearing a poppy. It is a day that we need to express our gratitude towards many courageous men and women. These are people whom we may never know or meet but who have served our country and have impacted this country’s history. As Canadians, we need to remember that our freedom is a gift which is certainly not free. To My Grandpa Dear Grandpa, Grandpa, you were called home to continue your journey in heaven on July 10, 2010 but my life on earth has continued on and now another Remembrance Day is here. We are all wishing that you would be heading off to the Legion service in Crystal City today to pay your respects to your fellow troop members and remember the days you served in the war. However, I know you wouldn’t want us to just sit here wishing that you were going there. Instead, you would want us all to go to our services in our towns, pay our respects, remember your days of service, and think about the Canadian soldiers that are serving overseas today. I know you didn’t talk much about your war life until one of your grandsons thanked you for fighting for our country. Even then you didn’t exactly open up. However, I do remember the time last June, the day before your 95th birthday party, when you told me the story of having to trade cigarettes just so you could eat a supper of lobster that night while you were serving in the war. Another wartime story came to light just before you passed away when you told me that I got my musical ability from you. I listened to you tell me the story of you having to choose to play either the trumpet or the drums in order to get a leave. You decided to play drums because you were not the best trumpeter. Your wartime stories were few but the ones you told helped me understand your past life experiences and what wartime was like. From your time in war, I know you wished that people would have learned from the first two World Wars so there never would have been events like 911 and so our Canadian troops didn’t have to fight in Afghanistan and Iraq today. I can just imagine how you felt when you heard on the news that another Canadian soldier was killed fighting for our country. These events must have reminded you of the days you sat in the trenches watching battles take place and how unnecessary they were. Grandpa, today as I go to sing in our school’s Remembrance Day choir and march and play in the community band, I will sing and play a little louder, prouder and more confident than ever before because I know that you fought for my freedom. I am very proud and honoured to be your great-granddaughter and to have called you Great-Grandpa. Love always, Your Great-Granddaughter
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM0NTk1OA==