To all those writers who currently are industriously spinning their tales for our annual Seniors Literary Competition, thank you for hanging in there. With you wearing your fingers to the bones on your lovely new MAC or Dell, or whatever, we can honestly say while the Legion building is closed, we are very much alive and things are happening. Unfortunately, for those who are anxious for results, we have extended the closing deadline to Monday, June 15, 2020. Only ELECTRONIC submissions will be accepted this year, and they must be received at our new Seniors Literary email address <branch270seniorsliterary@gmail.com> by 6.00 p.m. June 15, 2020. No exceptions. Fortunately, for those who did
The National Flag at the Coldwater Cenotaph is lowered to half-mast today in commemoration of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, commemorative wreath laying ceremonies are cancelled in Ottawa and across the country, including here in Coldwater. The Battle of Vimy Ridge began on Easter Monday, April 9, 1917. The first wave of 15,000-20,000 Canadian soldiers attacked through the wind-driven snow and sleet into the face of deadly machine gun fire. The battle proved to be a great success, but it came at a heavy cost. The some 100,000 Canadians who served there suffered more than 10,600 casualties, nearly 3,600 of which were fatal. At Vimy Ridge, regiments from coast to co
Comrade Michael has always had strong military role models. His grandfather was in the Infantry and served in the Great War. His father was in the Air Force and served in the Second World War. Brother John is a former Air Force Reservist (see M.L. issue, April 2019). Comrade Michael wished to pursue a career in Aeronautical Engineering. In 1972 he applied to Royal Roads Military College (outside of the Esquimalt Military Base) near Victoria, British Columbia. At this time in our recent history, the College was attended only by male recruits. Female recruits were invited to attend two-three years later. The plan was to attend and get his education. Comrade Michael stated that albeit
