|
We did not stand for those who stood for us.
|
Letters/Heritage Mike Sterling, Archie Gillies Southampton |
|||
|
Arthur Haley What can we make of the Bluewater School Board Meeting last week? The open session in the morning consisted of some good programs where some of the local school children work with others in a meaningful way. It was pleasant -- no controversy on good work by kids for other kids. The afternoon session starting at 1:30 pm was not pleasant. We won't dwell on the three five minute deputations by parents. They were angry and frustrated. The Board was silent. They were heartfelt and emotional presentations and their concerns deserve attention -- none was offered. These events have been covered extensively in the Saugeen and Kincardine Times. Also covered in the Saugeen Times and Kincardine Times was the speech given by WWII veteran Arthur Haley. He was accompanied by 3 other veterans who did not speak. We were impressed by their deportment and professionalism. They marched in, sat and waited their turn. Mr. Haley gave a strong speech. It is no wonder he is interested in the public speaking programs for youth. He's good at it. As you may have gathered by the news article, the Legion program on public speaking was terminated by the principal of the Wiarton School. Everything was done according to the rules. Mr. Haley was notified by a one paragraph letter from the principal. He then went through channels to see if he could reverse the decision. The Legion administration sent two unanswered letters of appeal to the minister of education. The Legion did everything correctly. Finally Mr. Haley and the Legion made one last well put together appeal to allow them to volunteer as they have for decades to run a contest on public speaking for the children. This is a program that is run all over Canada and has been for years. We have attended three of the contests held on Saturday mornings. 29/03/2009 08:37 AM |
At the end of Mr. Haley's presentation, no member of the board responded or asked any questions. Haley thanked the board for listening and he and his fellow veterans left, moving in a drill field manner. The audience was shamelessly pinned to their seats. We said nothing. The audience cannot speak unless they are on the schedule. We should have risen to bid them goodbye at least. We did not expect Mr. Haley to speak and did not know anything of the controversy that he had been working on for about a year. We somehow knew more than we should due to his clear presentation. What is his point? It's quite simple. He wants to continue the public speaking program for grade school children in Wiarton to teach the kids to communicate and to know something of the Heritage of the Veterans. He wants them to be able to think on their feet. He wants to impart some wisdom and educate them. The School Board did not respond at all at the meeting. How best to describe it? 'Strange' comes to mind. It seemed to make no sense to us. Maybe there is a reason, but the moment to explain it is forever lost. Even a reversal will not quell our feelings of unease. We did not stand with those who stood for us. Like a song, let's repeat that refrain ... We did not stand for those who stood for us. The Legion gained even more of our respect for their dignity. The veterans wore their medals and Mr. Haley spoke about each of their service in the past. For example Mr Haley was in the battle of Falaise. The allies were the winners. A loss would have changed the war and our world. He stood fast for us.. It is recognized along with the Battle of the Bulge as the key battles on the western front. They had to win or be pushed back into the Normandy pocket and into the sea. Who did they face? The vaunted and fanatical SS. Are these men worth knowing by Wiarton School Children? Later Mr. Halley helped liberate Holland. When the children of Wiarton are over 80, will they have a remembrance of Mr. Haley? If he feels up to going for Remembrance Day this year in Holland, he will be greeted as a hero. All the school children always have a day off and everyone will admire his clear voice and military bearing. After Falaise, he helped free Holland and still has trench foot as a result. I hope the Wiarton principal, board members and administration think about Mr. Haley when they attend the 'habitual' Remembrance Day program on November 11th. Isn't the motto "Lest we forget"? What does that mean? It means 'for fear of forgetting'. |
|||
|
 for
world news,
books, sports, movies ...Search the site. Enter Key words |
