I recently attended the Fernie Legion Veterans dinner, a very special dinner organized by the Legion membership that is held annually to pay tribute to the veterans of our area. This year First Responders were added for the first time.
Emcee for the event was Legion president Jennifer Cronin who did an excellent job of keeping everyone’s attention. Jennifer delivered a beautiful speech giving tribute to veterans adding that this dinner is usually held on a Saturday closest to the anniversary of D-Day that falls on June 6th.
Oscar and Diane Nielson were in charge of the evening and did a great job of adding some beautiful touches such as placing a fresh carnation boutonnière on veterans and veteran widows as they arrived. White linen covered tables and dark blue napkins were a lovely backdrop to the bottles of white and red wine available for everyone so as to toast the veterans and First Responders that included Fire Fighters and RCMP representing this area. Another nice touch was a table filled with memorabilia such as photos and military items. A tribute to the Unknown Soldier in the form of an empty place setting was also on that table. After everyone enjoyed a delicious dinner prepared by the Legion Ladies Auxiliary a toast to the Queen was offered by Pat Pierce and then one by one the Army, Navy and Air Force veterans were honored by the playing of their anthem.
As mayor I was honored to say a few words and present everyone with a Fernie pin. I truly believe Veterans are the pride of our Country; it’s because of our veterans that we are fortunate to live in a free Canada. First Responders may not be in a war however the work they do is essential. Their ability to respond quickly saves lives at all hours of the day
and night. Brett Uphill presented a donation to assist with costs of Installation of new windows to the Legion building on behalf of Fernie Professional Firefighters Local.
At the end of the dinner Jennifer recited a most moving poem written by (retired) Captain Kenneth Carlson titled “D-Day Remembered”. When she was finished Jennifer surprised everyone by disclosing that Captain Carlson, the author of the beautiful verse is her father.
D-DAY REMEMBERED
In 1944, on the sixth of June
It depended on both the tide and moon
If the Normandy invasion would be on
Before the day began to dawn.
The sky was filled with aeroplanes and gliders,
Bombs were dropped on the German abiders
While behind the beach the paratroops landed
And Glider troops gathered as commanded.
Meanwhile, at sea a huge invasion force
Set out and steered a steady course
For designated beaches on Normandy’s shore,
British, American and Canadian forces galore.
Crafts large and small, there was a place for each,
Ferried the invaders to their landing beach.
The landings were achieved, but many men fell,
The defenders made each beach a living hell.
Canadian forces on the beach known as Juno
Found their advance to be painfully slow
But they overcame the defenders of the shore
And soon gained their objective, inland they tore.
The combined forces of air, sea and land did okay
On June sixth. They paved the way
For more forces to follow, and finally defeat the enemy
In Berlin, the capital of Germany.
D Day was proof that the Allies were strong
When united they could hardly go wrong
And with the Russians advancing in the East
It was possible to defeat the Nazi Beast.
The invasion forces were followed by huge concrete blocks
That would become new wharfs and docks
So supplies could be assured for those at the fore
Who needed food, replacements, ammunition and more.
The invasion was not easy, the road to victory long
Many problems arose, things often went wrong
Many lives were lost, thousands were wounded to
So please think of the bravery of the invading few!
We owe them a debt, which we can never repay
So pass on the knowledge of that dreadful day
To the next generation. They all need to know
That war is a waste for both Allies and the foe.
