For five years now, David Wrinch has carried out a role that he sees as being a true honour: taking students to the cenotaph in Snug Cove to talk about history, war and why it is important to remember.
“If you look at it as a percentage, a large number of Bowen Islanders died serving in the war,” says Wrinch. “Five young men died, when the population of this place was 100. What would that look like today?”
Wrinch says he has always tried to emphasize the horror of war to the young people he speaks with, in the hopes that it is something they do not have to experience. Also, he wants them to know the purpose of the Legion, which existed to support veterans and their families.
Wrinch says that although his father was a veteran, he never did participate in any Legion activities.
“I think he just wanted to forget what he went through,” says Wrinch. “Still, participating in this organization seemed like a good, worthwhile thing to do.”
This year, in honour of past Legion president Nairn Knipe, the Legion has brought in a piper for the ceremonies. As they do every year, the Legion will be hosting lunch after the Remembrance Day Ceremony. Soups, salads and sandwiches are all welcome donations.
