- Reaction score
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- Points
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Not in anymore, but I try to hit at least some of the Remembrance Day gatherings following the cenotaph ceremony. Just sharing a few highlights as they come to me - feel free to share yours, too.
Thunder Bay, having a legacy of once being two cities, continues in its almost Balkan-tribal "if there's a ceremony in the north side, there must be a separate but equal one in the south side of town". I attend at the cenotaph where I used to parade as a Reserve infanteer. To be honest, I was disappointed in the turnout, although being a weekend, the organized groups of school classes coming out and then going back to school weren't there.
Shirley Boneca, Tony's mom, was the Memorial Cross Mother laying her wreath at our cenotaph. I understand a relative of Robert Costall laid a wreath at the south side ceremony.
Sgt's mess had a "memorial" table, with a Canadian flag hung up behind it, with framed photos of Josh Klukie, Tony Boneca and Robert Costall, each with a lit candle next to it. There was a book of condolence to sign on the table as well.
A group of about a dozen PPCLI soldiers who were with Tony Boneca when he was killed (some from his section, some from his platoon, some from other companies) were there, coming to pay their respects to Tony's parents and his final resting place. I'm told the Bonecas hosted them last night and tonight, with all traditional Portuguese hospitality. I bought a couple of them a drink, thanked them, and was told it was an emotional visit for them. I think it was good for both sides - the parents hearing more about their only son, the troops being able to see the kind of mutual support Tony's Thunder Bay colleagues were capable of. The PPCLI troops presented a display case with Tony's helmet in it to the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment - no word on where it will be displayed yet.
Maybe I'm getting old, but the troops - Reg & Reserve - are looking awfully, awfully young.
Talked to officers in the Regiment, telling them I hope the recent stretch of not having to deliver bad news to parents would continue, while at the same time hoping I wasn't jinxing it by just saying it.
Had a chance to chat with both Old Medic and dglad in one of the messes.
The crowd in the Sgt's mess (all ranks eventually ended up there) was big. Sadly, fewer and fewer WW2 vets about or on parade - only saw what appeared to be one in the mess.
Wondered why we didn't (as we have in other years) hit the Naval Reserve Chiefs & PO's mess. Talked to others who said it might be because of Tony's death, with everyone wanting to stay at "home station" at the Armouries more than usual. Someone said it was an odd way to remember, drinking and socializing. I said it's really no more odd than, say, the reception announced after a graveside service.
Spent some time at one of the Legions in Thunder Bay, had the egg salad & ham sandwiches prepared by the women of the Legion.
Bought a beer for a senior medical officer Reservist (nurse) who'd been to K'Har, and had the dual duty of helping the sick/wounded and, because of his certification as a funeral director, also helped the US Mortuary Affairs troops - even helped prepare Tony Boneca for the final trip home. He wants to go back next year. Either job is tough, and I told him I respected him for doing both.
Most of the troops ended up at a club run by a former Reservist. More drinking. Pizza ordered and eaten. More drinking. Some broken glasses, but no fights. More drinking. When CBC Newsworld showed photos of the fallen in a montage, the biggest rounds of applause from the assembled Reg & Reserve members in the room were when Tony Boneca's and Josh Klukie's photos came on screen. More drinking. I went home early, having spent time with former Regimental alumni, as well as up-and-coming members of the Regiment.
Maybe I think too much about someone who'd had a few wobbly pops telling me I have an "inordinate affection" with respect to people connected with the fallen. I offer drinks, condolences and thanks, and I leave them to the rest of their grieving. I do it because I grieve, and I want to be able to do something.
We will remember them.....
Thunder Bay, having a legacy of once being two cities, continues in its almost Balkan-tribal "if there's a ceremony in the north side, there must be a separate but equal one in the south side of town". I attend at the cenotaph where I used to parade as a Reserve infanteer. To be honest, I was disappointed in the turnout, although being a weekend, the organized groups of school classes coming out and then going back to school weren't there.
Shirley Boneca, Tony's mom, was the Memorial Cross Mother laying her wreath at our cenotaph. I understand a relative of Robert Costall laid a wreath at the south side ceremony.
Sgt's mess had a "memorial" table, with a Canadian flag hung up behind it, with framed photos of Josh Klukie, Tony Boneca and Robert Costall, each with a lit candle next to it. There was a book of condolence to sign on the table as well.
A group of about a dozen PPCLI soldiers who were with Tony Boneca when he was killed (some from his section, some from his platoon, some from other companies) were there, coming to pay their respects to Tony's parents and his final resting place. I'm told the Bonecas hosted them last night and tonight, with all traditional Portuguese hospitality. I bought a couple of them a drink, thanked them, and was told it was an emotional visit for them. I think it was good for both sides - the parents hearing more about their only son, the troops being able to see the kind of mutual support Tony's Thunder Bay colleagues were capable of. The PPCLI troops presented a display case with Tony's helmet in it to the Lake Superior Scottish Regiment - no word on where it will be displayed yet.
Maybe I'm getting old, but the troops - Reg & Reserve - are looking awfully, awfully young.
Talked to officers in the Regiment, telling them I hope the recent stretch of not having to deliver bad news to parents would continue, while at the same time hoping I wasn't jinxing it by just saying it.
Had a chance to chat with both Old Medic and dglad in one of the messes.
The crowd in the Sgt's mess (all ranks eventually ended up there) was big. Sadly, fewer and fewer WW2 vets about or on parade - only saw what appeared to be one in the mess.
Wondered why we didn't (as we have in other years) hit the Naval Reserve Chiefs & PO's mess. Talked to others who said it might be because of Tony's death, with everyone wanting to stay at "home station" at the Armouries more than usual. Someone said it was an odd way to remember, drinking and socializing. I said it's really no more odd than, say, the reception announced after a graveside service.
Spent some time at one of the Legions in Thunder Bay, had the egg salad & ham sandwiches prepared by the women of the Legion.
Bought a beer for a senior medical officer Reservist (nurse) who'd been to K'Har, and had the dual duty of helping the sick/wounded and, because of his certification as a funeral director, also helped the US Mortuary Affairs troops - even helped prepare Tony Boneca for the final trip home. He wants to go back next year. Either job is tough, and I told him I respected him for doing both.
Most of the troops ended up at a club run by a former Reservist. More drinking. Pizza ordered and eaten. More drinking. Some broken glasses, but no fights. More drinking. When CBC Newsworld showed photos of the fallen in a montage, the biggest rounds of applause from the assembled Reg & Reserve members in the room were when Tony Boneca's and Josh Klukie's photos came on screen. More drinking. I went home early, having spent time with former Regimental alumni, as well as up-and-coming members of the Regiment.
Maybe I think too much about someone who'd had a few wobbly pops telling me I have an "inordinate affection" with respect to people connected with the fallen. I offer drinks, condolences and thanks, and I leave them to the rest of their grieving. I do it because I grieve, and I want to be able to do something.
We will remember them.....
