![]() I read the letters each Remembrance Day and imagine what life would have been like for our family had he returned home after the war… Sadly, in one of his last letters, he expressed a concern that he was “born under an unlucky star.” It feels sadly prophetic all these years later. He sounds like a kind and caring man who missed his family. Although I never met him, I feel a connection to Grandpa through his letters. Each letter is signed off with, “Your loving husband Ira XOXO Kiddies XOXOXOXO”- hugs and kisses for his wife and his children, my dad, and aunts. My mom copied them all, put them in a binder, and my grandmother gave them to me as a Christmas gift many years ago. Quite a few years ago, my grandmother shared with my mom a collection of wartime letters from Ira, in addition to military enlistment documents, death certificate and details, and even a message of condolences from the King of England on the official Buckingham Palace seal and letterhead, all related to my grandfather. Some details were garnered from answers to our questions from our grandmother, documents from her collection and, later, information gathered from Edwin, at the Holten Canadian War Cemetery, where Ira is interned. However, being my mother’s daughter and sharing an interest in genealogy, I learned the story of his service and his death several years ago from a few sources. We didn’t grow up hearing the tragic circumstances that took my grandfather’s life. November 11th services were so important in my family not only because my dad served ten years in the Air Force, but also because my paternal grandfather, Private Ira Charles Langille, died in World War II on Apachingly close to the end of the war. They deserve our help in their personal healing process. They may come home, but they’re often not quite the same as when they left. Those who do deserve our respect and support. Supporting veterans who made it home is a significant cause. Personally, I think it’s quite brilliant and means more money raised in support of Canada’s veterans, as we keep donating to keep sporting a bright red poppy on our lapels. Folks often express frustration at how easily the poppies get lost, lamenting the straight pins that need securing to stay in place. In fact, usually buying many as they invariably slipped off so often during “poppy season”. No matter where I was, it was important to observe a moment of silence at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month - and to support veterans by buying a poppy and wearing it respectfully. As I got older, it was a local cenotaph or sometimes simply watching the service broadcast on TV if I was unable to attend in person. ![]() When I was younger, we went to the Alberni District Senior Secondary auditorium as a family, watching veterans, service members, and cadets lay wreaths for the fallen. I don’t remember ever not attending or observing a November 11th ceremony. ![]() “They sacrificed their tomorrows, for our todays.” Oh, so many “Theys”… ![]()
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