LEST WE FORGET: SOMETIMES I WONDER WHO WILL REMEMBER SACRIFICES TOMORROW ON NOV. 11?

Lois Cooper | MuskokaTODAY.com

MUSKOKA — We take a few minutes or a few short hours at this time of year to remember those who signed up to go to war or to keep the peace for us, so we may continue our enjoyment of freedom today.

I was reminded of family members who stood strong. My cousin, Hank Van Drunen, a teenager, lost his leg at Dieppe. He came home and lived a long life out-running his demons.

My Uncle Ernie Kennedy landed on D-Day, to wade ashore with water up to his armpits, holding a gun overhead. He marched across France, Belgium and into Holland, carrying the communications radio on his back.

Troops were being fed rations left-over from the First World War. And it was so muddy in France, that the troops threw the hard biscuits into the mud hoping they would soak up some of the water. However the biscuits were so dehydrated that they remained dry the next morning.

Uncle Ernie Kennedy landed on D-Day, wading ashore with water up to his armpits, while holding a gun overhead. He also marched across France, Belgium and into Holland, carrying the communications radio on his back. He is seen with his war medals. PHOTOS Lois Cooper family collection

We were a lucky family; for all the cousins and uncles that served came home.

We were there to support them as best we could. Although born just after the war, I was raised with great respect for service.

Sometimes I wonder who will remember?

Then I think of my experiences in the Netherlands and Belgium on my travels. As I was going through the airport in Amsterdam 2014 a young man, looking at my passport, exclaimed over my being Canadian and sincerely thanked me for my country’s part in freeing Holland during WWII.

On the same trip, in Belgium, a day-guide asked me a question and after finding out I was Canadian, a conversation ensued with more Belgiuns joining in. They were elated to tell me about their country being freed by Canadian troops from Winnipeg and how they have a bridge named for Manitoba.

It is very encouraging to have young people be thankful for our stand for freedom and it gives hope for the future.

Another family story of interest is one of true Muskoka experience of migration.

Andrew and Janet Cooper were drawn to Macaulay Township in 1871 by government promises of wonderful farm land.

So they left their wonderful farmland in Middlesex county near London, Ontario, and came to Muskoka, to take up farming on our hog and cherry land. That is ground hog and chokecherries!

Their eldest son Alex Cooper married an Irish girl named Kathleen Cooper and they took up farming (on our present day land – we call “the Farm”).

When the First World War came along, their eldest son, Lawrence, became a member of the 122 Muskoka Battalion in 1915.

He was one of the lucky ones who came home.

Lawrence (“Laurie”) Cooper was a member of the locally famed 122 Muskoka Battalion, signing up in 1915.

Youngest son, Mel Cooper

Then in 1939, their youngest son, Mel Cooper, joined the Royal Canadian Air Force where he became  corporal and a military police officer.

Corporal A.L. Cooper joined in the Second World War becoming a military police officer with the RCAF. His Sept. 10, 1941, National Harbour Board port pass from Halifax is seen here.

The Cooper’s were lucky that both sons survived the wars.

But I can’t help thinking what an unexpected gut-wrenching time it must have been.

We must keep our promise to remember all those who fought, those who gave their lives, and those who came home to live with their demons.

And it is also time to thank all who are part of our armed forces today and those who will take up that roll.

Alex Hogg, 11, who still lives on the Cooper’s family farm on Hwy. 117 in east Bracebridge, proudly reads a toast and tribute last night at dinner remembering his many relatives to served and sacrificed in two of Canada’s wars as his grandmother Lois Cooper reflects, looks and listens.

Remembrance Day

services in Muskoka

  • Bracebridge: 10:45 at Memorial Park hosted by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 161
  • Gravenhurst: 10:45 a.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 302 at the cenotaph
  • Huntsville: 10:30 a.m. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 232 at the cenotaph
  • Lake of Bays: 10:40 a.m. at the Dorset Pavilion
  • Georgian Bay: Mactier 10:45 a.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 507
  • Muskoka Lakes: Port Carling 10:45 a.m. Royal Canadian Legion Branch 529 at the cenotaph
  • Muskoka Lakes: Bala Legion Branch 424 10:45 a.m. at Wahta Mohawk First Nations main building.
Memorial Park in Bracebridge, where a new band stand, left, is being built, will be the site of the annual Muskoka Pioneers Army Cadets overnight vigil tonight where cadets will take shifts standing guard at the centotaph where snow that fell today.

EMAIL: Lois@muskokatoday.com

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