1 November 2015
The Rev. Art Turnbull, Branch 15 Chaplain

Lest we forget!  Words for November and for every month of every year.

Words  never to forget.

Seventy years ago the battles of World War Two drew to a halt.  That last year was an agony of human misery.  War was fought, sometimes hand to hand, sometimes with new atomic force, but on a scale as never seen before.  An Allied supreme effort was launched to confine and reduce the German Nazi forces.  The Pacific campaign was closing in on Japan, island by island, jungle by jungle, sometimes hand to hand in desperate fights.

For the civilians on the fronts of war whether in villages or cities, there was never before seen such massive massacres and sacrifices.  The people of Holland were being starved on purpose.  Only the efforts of British and Canadian air force flights dropping food packages kept that population alive.  Farm land in all of Europe was torn asunder.  The citizens of those nations were being bled to death.  So much had been sacrificed to the war effort that those “at home” were impoverished.  It did not matter whose side you were on.  All were caught in the same net.
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1 October 2015
The Rev. Art Turnbull, Branch 15 Chaplain

Summer seems to have rapidly faded into the  fullness of Autumn.  That means my Summer generic column is out of date.  Sometimes I am probably out of date as well, but that is the way of those of us who are now older than our fathers.  Time keeps moving on and each day brings new challenges and joys.

October is an election month for the citizens of Canada.  It is obvious that the candidates of all stripes are out and about doing the talking and promotion necessary to catch the attention of all Canadians.  Many different interest groups are also making it into our vision as each tells why they should have their special concern placed before all others.  I expect the first weeks of this month will see an increasing amount of verbiage coming our way.

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1 June 2015
The Rev. Art Turnbull, Branch 15 Chaplain

The activities of the Legion commemorations, of the Canadian memorials, and of worldwide needs, have been a source of a busy season just past.  As we now engage in the life of the Summer months we look for a slowing of pace; yet even now we shall remember.

June has presented us with the 52nd Convention of the BC/Yukon Command, of the Royal Canadian Legion.  This is in our own city.  The memorial and dedication is on our own Thunderbird Square, our own Cenotaph. This is probably the last time we will be the home hosts of such a gathering.  Never again will there be that many Legion veterans and members assembled on our sacred ground. What we need to keep in mind this summer is that we will keep on remembering our own for times yet to come.  Even as our numbers grow smaller on each parade, “we will remember them”.

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1 May 2015
The Rev. Art Turnbull, Branch 15 Chaplain

The recent Ypres recognition at the Abbotsford Cenotaph was an important moment.  Though very small in turnout the significance of the Second Battle of Ypres on the days of 22 to 26 April are a Canadian moment in history that must not be forgotten.  It was very good of Mr. John Durham to arrange for the memorial as a tribute to his father who fought in the battle, was gassed and wounded twice, and then taken prisoner for three years by the German army.   Like so many WW 1 veterans, Pte. Edwin Durham came home, put on his civvies and went to work building his family and Canada.  Yet Edwin did not forget his battle.  Every anniversary was remembered.  Thanks Mr. Durham for inviting some of us from the Legion to take part this year of the 100th anniversary.
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1 April 2015
The Rev. Art Turnbull, Branch 15 Chaplain

April is that month that is put to music.  “April showers” come our way bringing flowers in May.  The tune is one of those that stick in the mind.  It can be hummed anytime.  The words can be sung along in the morning shower.

April showers in World War One brought the devastation of war in Europe to a greater depth.  The rallying of the troops for the Empire in 1914 led to drenched and stinking reality  in the trenches of warfare.  The 2nd Battle of Ypres in April 1915 found the Canadian soldiers being drenched with chemicals in the gas attacks from the enemy lines.  The promise of “May flowers” was a long time coming.

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