As Remembrance Day nears every year I think about those in our family who stepped up to serve and protect. As a mother of four, and grandmother to 10, I am acutely aware that our lives would not be as richly blessed if it wasn’t for the sacrifices of those who bravely came forward — men and women in previous generations and now also — to serve and protect.
Two of our sons are first responders. Our oldest is an RCMP corporal, a loving husband and father of six, who teaches at depot in Regina, while our middle son is also a loving husband and a dedicated full-time firefighter in the Lower Mainland, with nearly 25 and more than 20 years of service respectively. There have definitely been times of parental concern for their safety and well-being as they step forward each and every day, whether on or off duty, as honour guards, volunteering, or training other recruits. Along with their brother and sister — both loving spouses and parents as well — they have expressed their pride in knowing the history of previous generations of family members who have served in a variety of roles.
My father, Ross Haynes, was a sergeant in the Army Air Corps during World War II, and his brother Robert (Bob) Haynes also served, fighting on the front line as a Private First Class and bugler during the Korean War, which took place from June 1950 to July 1953.
Dad was stationed on board ship towards the end of World War II, near Hawaii. He was educated in journalism and was in charge of communications on the ship. He later pursued a long career in newspapers, becoming an editor for a large Southern California newspaper owned by the L.A. Times. He notably covered the day Robert F. Kennedy was shot in Los Angeles, having just interviewed him; as he was walking back to his hotel across the street the shots rang out.
Interestingly, Dad wasn’t a fan of the water, and paid another soldier to push him off the high dive during training as they had to prepare to "jump ship" if need be when at sea. He got a kick out of telling us about that, acting it out with his eyes closed and arms crossed over his chest.
We had a big trunk with his uniforms, envelope or garrison-style caps, formal dress and daily dress uniforms, medals in "good standing", and a few we are still researching. Our brother Scott would often try on our father’s uniforms as he grew up, and I remember Dad teaching him how to salute properly, something we all were quite serious about practicing as we saluted him sombrely.
In Canada our mother’s three brothers were all highly-trained Royal Canadian Air Force pilots, and later in life they were reservists who continued to train new pilots near Edmonton at Cold Lake and Claresholm, Alberta. Although we didn’t know them well growing up, our mother and Aunt Hettie were very proud of their brothers' service, speaking of them often.
Not everyone served in the military; some provided essential support at home in the U.S. and Canada. Our mom Mary and our Aunt Hettie were both riveters for military aircraft in Vancouver during wartime. Mom also drove a milk delivery wagon during that time, drawn by horse, a job previously done by men before the war. An old photo that was recently discovered shows several Spencer Stores delivery milk wagons with a large number of women drivers in 1944, who were all providing necessary products at that time.
Our Uncle Bob Miller was always regretful that, due to what was then referred to as "flat feet", he didn’t qualify to join the Canadian Armed Forces. Today, with so much technology and special orthotics, that likely wouldn’t be an issue. His wartime contributions in the North Thompson Valley were very practical, as we heard growing up through stories from many long-time family friends about how he continuously provided much-needed wild game for many households; fish and bear fat was a replacement for lard or butter, which was highly rationed.
As we honour the memory of those gone ahead and those who stand with and for us today, let us never forget the vital contributions, both historically and presently through their sacrifice, bravery and dedication, of those who serve to protect.
