Branch, Root and Tree…. Royal Canadian Legion 3 photos)

Postcard Memories is a weekly series of historic postcard views and photos submitted by René Hackstetter.

I invited my daughter to the Branch for a drink one day and the response was a  bit of a shocker.

“Oh, c’mon Dad - it’s full of old people smoking and drinking!”

No, my dear, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, it is full of  people of all ages thoroughly enjoying themselves soaking up stories from the  Vets and, yes, some are ‘old,’, but there is No Smoking, it is outside - Branch  rules.

Remember this, they fought for their country at eighteen or twenty, coming home shattered and this is their safe place to hang out. Come and talk to them and you might view the world a little differently.

Yes, they enjoy the comradeship of a drink or a smoke, but this is a part of being a Vet. Another  might be talking to you because they were your age once and though the world appears differently today, many of the challenges are much the same.

They  would love to talk to you about that world they knew and the world you know. Frank Graham used to talk to all the schools. He’s gone now. It is your turn.

The Branch marks the year from Decoration Day to Remembrance Day on  November 11. No, it is not a day off school, but an important marking of the year. Midland Pipes and Drums sets the tone by marking the beat and the  tune.

At one time, when God and Queen were paramount with loyalty and service, not empty shells, but living realities, these Veterans, wrinkled by time, served these ideals.

Our feeling for them is one of gratitude and, by their example of  service, we, as younger comrades, learn the steps toward these ideals of serving community, country and flag.

Yes, it may sound odd to say this, however, bear in mind, these landmarks have been laid down generations ago and continue to serve as pillars, supporting these ideals.

In this era, when memorials are being torn down, may I remind your  generation that these monuments, as imperfect as they are in light of the present, served as mute testament to our forefathers and mothers and struggles and victories.

They did what they did out of necessity and fought or made peace over ideas that changed all of us. No one wants war, so we arm for peace.

As a country, we have managed to remain out of major wars. The ruins of all war live with us presently and, post pandemic, we can get a sense of what a public emergency creates and destroys.

Imagine you are twenty and war breaks out in your country. There are stark choices to be made. These Vets made the choice. You, too, will make a choice.

In the meantime, between war and peace, come down to the Branch and toast our Vets. Talk with them…they want to share their story with you, while you  are young and they are here.

Copyright René Hackstetter August 28, 2020. 

Revised September 21, 2020.