The Rotary Club of Charlottetown paid tribute Monday to those courageous men and women who served their country in time of war to protect the freedom and democracy Canadians hold dear and the values they have long cherished.
More than 20 veterans, most of them from the Korean War, were hosted by the club at its annual Remembrance Day program at the Delta Prince Edward.
Retired Senator Archibald Johnstone, who flew with a Royal Canadian Air Force heavy bombing squadron during the Second World War, recounted some of his wartime experiences for Rotarians.
He also spoke to the contributions made by others who, like him, had been members of aircrews that flew Lancaster and Halifax bombers out of bases in England.
Johnstone focused on the contributions of the airmen featured in his book Six Who Flew.
That book details the wartime service and careers of Dr. G. Denton Clark, Dr. Sheldon R. Cameron, former Senator Orville H. Phillips, Rev. Arnold A. Hiltz, Derek G. Hughes and Johnstone himself.
Johnstone said a number of those who signed up when war broke out didn’t really know what to expect.
Some, he said, thought it would be a great adventure.
It was all that and so much more.
Johnstone said the average age of the seven-man aircrews he served with overseas was just 20 years old.
The oldest man on his crew, whom they called ‘old pop’, was all of 27.
He spoke to the camaraderie in the service and how hard it was to wake up in the morning after a bombing run and see so many empty beds in his hut.
“Some days they were seven, some days there were 14, some days even 21 empty beds. It was hard. Over 55,000 Commonwealth air crew were lost.”
Thoughts often turned to those back home, to the parents, brothers and sisters who had lost family on bombing runs, he said.
Johnstone said the welfare of veterans has always had a high priority with him and he was fortunate to have had the opportunity to serve Canada’s veterans when he was a member of the Senate, co-chairing the Veterans Committee under fellow P.E.I. Senator Orville Phillips.
The two Island senators travelled to veterans’ facilities across the country and spoke with veterans about the services they received and the manner in which they were treated.
Lt.-Gov. Barbara Hagerman told Rotarians and guests Monday that Canadians must remember the sacrifices made by those who served.
“The peace we enjoy came at a tremendous cost,” Hagerman said.
Thousands of those who defended our right to live in a free world under a government of our own choice paid for that right with their lives, she noted.
“Thousands of others returned home bearing the emotional and physical scars of war,” Hagerman said Canadians must never take for granted the sacrifices made by those who took up arms when their country called on them.
“They truly believed our values and our freedom were threatened ... We must acknowledge the courage and the sacrifice of those who served their country.”
Liberal MLA Bush Dumville, speaking for Premier Robert Ghiz, said Canadians should remember their veterans every day, not just on Remembrance Day.
Dumville, who’s also a Rotarian, said he remembers Canada’s veterans every time he drives past the cenotaph in Charlottetown or drives on the Veteran’s Highway.
“Each of us needs to ensure that everyone knows of the sacrifices made by those who fought for their country,” Dumville said.
He applauded the town of Stratford for commemorating the sacrifices of veterans by putting up posters throughout the community bearing the images of local veterans.
The club paid special recognition to veteran and club member Tony Sosnkowsi for his outstanding service to the club in organizing the club’s Remembrance Day program for many years.
Rotarian Bob Acorn, a Royal Canadian Air Force veteran, laid a wreath in remembrance of those who’d served their country.
Monday’s program featured songs that were popularized during the First and Second World War and several photographic displays honouring wartime service by Islanders.
