For many of us Remembrance Day evokes thoughts of those who gave their lives in the two World Wars, and especially World War II.
For instance, the Leaside Memorial Gardens Honour Roll commemorates young Leaside men who gave their lives during WWII.
But increasingly Remembrance Day honours the service of those from many other theatres of conflict.
In this issue Leaside Heritage Preservation Society columnist Ted DeWelles introduces us to Leasider Ronald Campbell, who enlisted in the Canadian Army and ended up seeing intense action in Korea. We tend to hear much less about heroes like Campbell, who may have suffered from what we now call PTSD and ended up taking his own life, than we do the fighters from the two World Wars. We hear even less about those Canadians who gave their lives in Afghanistan and other countries. We should hear more. Their stories matter.
One way to learn about some of the Leaside heroes who served their country is to participate in Leaside’s Remembrance Day Walk, which has been an annual event since 2022, and is the brainchild of the Leaside Heritage Preservation Society (LHPS). The event takes participants to the houses where 18 young Leasiders lived before heading off to battle during the Second World War, none of whom were to return home. At each place the fallen Leasider’s story is told.
So, on Nov. 11, consider taking a Leaside-focused Remembrance Day walk and learn about Leasiders’ outstanding service.
Lest we forget!
