CJ Rhodes

““The main thing was to keep going. You sat huddled in the landing craft as massive shells from British warships thundered overhead. No one was saying much. Finally, on command, you ran down the ramp into the water and slugged up onto the beach with machine-gun fire all around and you saw men getting hit and falling and yelling. You ran past the bodies. Now you heard mortars whining in from the six-barreled maw of a Moaning Minny–one of those terribly accurate German machines. It was an awful feeling. There  was heavy fire from 88-mm German anti-tank guns up in the hills. The lieutenant “got it” and the sarge took over. He waved you on. You got your eyes on a ridge several hundred yards off the beach and pounded forward until you got the hell up behind it.”

Words on paper…yup, a scene from a Hollywood movie…could be, an exert from a novel…might be. We’ve all heard different variations of this story, perhaps from an uncle or a grandpa. We all listen carefully to the words. Sometimes we show empathy, sometimes we show sympathy. We believe some of it but mostly we just carry on with our lives and don’t pay much attention to it. The person that spoke these words is alive and well. He’s old (87), lives close by (North Vancouver), is modest, not a braggart and, I suppose, feeling lucky that he’s here to tell the story.

I don’t know Frank Zantolas but he is so typical of the veterans that are often overlooked by us. Frank authored my opening words based on his experience on June 6,1944 (D-Day). He was (is)  with the 3rd Canadian Infantry that landed on Juno Beach on that very infamous day. Canadian troops suffered 1074 casualties with 359 dead on that beach, in a faraway country, a long way from home. He, in my opinion, suffered the ultimate horror. Not the kind of horror you see in the movies, the kind you experience in real life. War is hell and Frank is probably living it every day of his life. 45300 Canadians lost their lives in WWII. Countless more in previous wars and way to many since. I’ll place Las Vegas odds that not one of them wanted to die and probably died way to young. Fathers, mothers, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, cousins, aunts, uncles you name it they all gave their lives. He, along with every veteran who has ever put on a Canadian uniform, is/are the reason we are free and live in a free country. I don’t even know him but he’s my hero and I’ll NEVER FORGET him. We owe him.

Remembrance Day, for me, brings attention to the many veterans in our community and to their sacrifice. What they did is the reason why we live in a free society. November 11 is Remembrance Day in Canada and it’s important for you to remember the people who did what they did in the name of freedom. You owe them that much. Do it this year  because they are an aging group and, quite simply, you may not have many more opportunities. Show that you care by attending the Osoyoos legion Remembrance Day service at the Sonora Centre . The doors open at 10:00 am with the service starting at 10:50 am. And….if for some ridiculous reason you can’t find a poppy to wear call the legion @ 250-495-7447. Someone that cares about you will help you out.