WWII Sacrifices Retold to Students (by Canadian Vets)

Toronto Sun ^ | May 9, 2006 | Mary Gazze

[NorthOf45]

WWII sacrifices retold to students
Veterans at school on 61st anniversary

Toronto Sun
By Mary Gazze
May 9, 2006

Students at Leaside High School learned a lesson in the triumph and tragedy of war yesterday by listening to the still vivid memories of three World War II veterans.

"What is the moral choice? To give up and become slaves, or fight for our freedom?" former sergeant-major George MacDonell, 84, a veteran of Hong Kong, said on the 61st anniversary of V-E Day, the day the war ended in Europe.

He is part of the Memory Project, a website that collected stories from 500 veterans for future generations.

MacDonell told the incredible story of his capture at Hong Kong and the starvation and beatings that followed in Japanese prisoner-of-war camps.

Canada sent almost 2,000 soldiers to defend the then-British colony of Hong Kong. After three weeks of fighting, the Allied troops were overwhelmed on Christmas Day, 1941.

"I saw rape, murder, chaos and pillage," MacDonell said of the Hong Kong fighting.

He had no regrets about enlisting as a 17-year-old.

"We knew it was going to be no picnic," he said, happy that he could help prevent "a society where if your skin is black or your religion is Jewish, you're thrown into a gas chamber."

The veterans' positive outlook at what came after the war resonated with students. "I went to a Holocaust speech and it's certainly sad. This one didn't bring tears to everyone's eyes," said Grade 10 student Duncan Cameron, 15.

Yesterday was the final day of the Memory Project's Road Show, which over the past year visited eight Ontario cities and let over 1,500 veterans share their experiences with students.

To listen to their stories, go online to www.TheMemoryProject.com

[NorthOf45]

I have visited TheMemoryProject.com many times. It is an incredible site ... well worth a click. Having vets speak to students should be a priority.

[NorthOf45]

Canadian Military Ping

[glorgau]

They should also tell the kids about the French canadians that wouldn't be posted overseas fighting a "British war".

[kanawa]

TheMemoryProject.com

[fanfan]

Canada ping.

Please FReepmail me to get on or off this ping list.

[Bear_Slayer]

My grandfather served in the Canadian armed forces. I inherited a medal he earned. I don't know what it was earned for.

Does anyone know of a website that identifies Canadian medals by sight?

[GreenLanternCorps]

Braver men than I.

Thank you for your service to King and Country.

[GreenLanternCorps]

This site may help, let us know which one it is.

http://www.vac-acc.gc.ca/remembers/sub.cfm?source=collections/cmdp/mainmenu&CFID=3170644&CFTOKEN=95689372

[Beagle8U]

WW2 Sacrifices.

I still have a bunch of "Canada meat ration" wooden coin tokens from WW2, also some US military issued Italy lira notes.

I forget where I got them, but it was in the early 60's.

I didn't know that Canada was rationing food then.

[Bear_Slayer]

Thanks.

The medal is the

Canadian Volunteer Service medal

[Snowyman]

They should also tell the kids about the French canadians that wouldn't be posted overseas fighting a "British war".

Before or after they tell them about the thousands of French Canadians that did go to fight the "British war"?

[tutstar]

ping...

[MD_Willington_1976]

My grandfather, an MP, had a few friends who were paid a visit to by the Japanese "dentists" in Hong Kong, the favourite tool for removing teeth was the butt stock of their rifles...

[coydog]

I had several cousins who were POWs in HK. One of them didn't survive the experience.

I may have to show forgiveness, but I sure as hell won't forget.

[Fair Go]

This is very good to see. In helping to repell the Japanese juggernaut, the Canadians were also helping to keep countries such as Australia and New Zealand free. Apparently the Japanese military thought that New Zealand would make a nice holiday resort.