New book details WW II veterans’ stories
Sue Nielsen
Speaker Reporter
DISTRICT — The Temiskaming Speaker is pleased to announce the publication of our Survivor Diaries book. It is a compilation of previously published Speaker articles featuring 56 Second World War veterans’ stories.
Between 1939 and 1945, over 1.1 million Canadians served in the army, navy, and air forces contributing significantly to the Allied efforts during WW II.
The average age of a WW II veteran is said to be 91 years of age.
We are proud to have documented our veteran’s stories, their thoughts on war and the feelings of pride expressed over and over again when recalling their wartime experiences.
Our veterans’ stories stand as an important testament to Canada’s war involvement.
But they are also a reference point for families and friends of the veterans, and for those future generations who may someday try and understand why war happens.
“With these stories, future generations now have a reference point of Remembrance,” wrote Temiskaming Speaker Editor Gordon Brock in the book.
LAUNCH
The book will be officially unveiled in a special ceremony at the Bunker Military Museum at 24 Prospect Avenue in Cobalt on Saturday, November 7 beginning at 1 p.m.
There will be an open house and social taking place from 1p.m. to 4 p.m.
People attending this special event can purchase copies of the book, be eligible for door prizes and partake of refreshments.
“We are so excited and it is such an honour to be publishing this book,” said Temiskaming Speaker General Manager Lois Perry. “We put together a team in early spring to create the book. It consisted of our editor, Gordon Brock, our creative director, Heidi Jobson, and myself.”
Some of the veterans featured in the book will be on hand to sign copies of the book and a percentage of the sales of Survivor Diaries will be donated to the Bunker Military Museum.
The Temiskaming Speaker has been chronicling Temiskaming’s veterans’ stories on a regular basis in our Remembrance Day tabloid going back to 2004.