Edmond Kenneth Wilson; 65 years later. Gone but certainly not forgotten.

I have told this story before. My 1993 visit to the Reichswald war cemetery in Germany, taking a picture of this grave stone and finding his Great-nephew in 1997. The story grows and unfolds as more time passes.

Tomorrow, November 21st, 2009 is the 65th anniversary of Ken's death. He was 21 years old.

This week, two days ago, I spoke, for over an hour, to Ken's widow, Dorothy. She too was just a girl when Ken went off to war, a young bride who never saw her husband again. She is 87 years old and holds his memory very dear. She told me heart breaking, interesting and funny stories about Ken, she certainly brought the man to life for me.

Sixteen years after visiting the cemetery, taking a random photo of Ken's grave, I spoke to the woman who after 65 years, loves him still. She has been to visit his grave twice. I plan on going to see her one day soon.

November 21st, 1944 Ken Wilson, 4 other crew members died; 2 others became POW's and survived the war suffering terrible hardships.

I remember, Dorothy remembers, Ken on this anniversary.


the link to Ken's page on the McPhee website. (The whole site is well worth a visit.)
http://www.thewhpfamily.com/mcphee/page10.html

the links to my earlier postings.
http://thirtypoundsofcat.blogspot.com/2009/03/65-years-after-dying-in-service-of-our.html
http://thirtypoundsofcat.blogspot.com/2007/04/vimy.html

We do remember.

Berlin 33 years ago.

In August of 1976 my high school graduation gift was a trip to Europe. Now, that's not as extravagant as it sounds as I was born in Germany and had family there. One of the most memorable places I visited was Berlin, East and West. On this the anniversary of the coming down of the Berlin Wall, I thought I'd post a few pics from my trip there 33 years ago... The trip were I was yelled at, had a gun pointed at me, had 10 Marks "stolen" from me by the East German Currency Exchange lady and was warned to "hold your tongue." But hey, other than that... it was a great time! (I really wouldn't have missed it for the world and now, that chance to experience Berlin as it was, is gone.)

Thing that have pissed me off lately! (well some of them)

H1N1 shots. Priority lists... well, somehow, someone has decided that Police and Fire are NOT priority. What is? Oh, how about the Olympic committee, torch bearers and athletes? Yep... the people who protect us can drop like flies but heaven help us if a curler or a skier gets the flu!

H1N1 shots. Panic... Surprise! Yell fire and then lock the doors, guess what's going to happen? Lets see what happens when healthy 10 & 13 years olds drop dead in 3 days then hold public clinics.

H1N1 shots. Priority lists, again... The very people on this list, at least many of them, are on that list due to a health condition that would fricking impede their ability to stand in a fricking line for 3 or more hours! GAWD what are these "public health officials" thinking? Here in Windsor, it's out of control. Our Medical officer of health, Dr. Allen Heimann, (Bob likes to call him Hilter Heimann,) and his side kick, Deb Bennett are certainly not helping the situation. Google them, listen to them speak, read the words of the articles to do with H1N1 shots and judge for yourself. (Oh and before you go off and say... "sure she's not on the list so that explains her attitude." Yes I am, however, I will not and cannot stand in a line for 3+ hours waiting for it, it would be a physical impossibility for me and I'm not that bad off so I'll wait until my Doctor has it.)

Windsor Ontario and the CUPE strike savings, refund to taxpayers. Ok... so, they saved millions during the strike. Paid out millions in overtime for managers, security etc. There is a 5.6 million surplus. What are they doing with it? They are mailing every rate payer a $72.00 cheque! Seriously, they're spending $70,000.00 of the money to mail us a $72.00 cheque. Now keep in mind all those CUPE workers, be they Windsor, home owning residents will get this cheque too! So will the CUPE office that piled their trash outside their building causing the nearby residents to picket them! Where is the "I object" button when you need one? As Bob so succinctly said it... "give it to the downtown mission, imagine what they could do with 5.6 million!"

Come on people. $72.00? What's that? A tank of gas? Dinner at a mid range restaurant? 5.6 million, split between the Downtown Mission, The Goodfellows, The Homeless Coalition and a couple of other charities would go a long, long way and keep giving! (Note: no Orchestras or Art Galleries need apply!) $72.00 that's costing $70 thousand to mail out! What could these charities do with just the $70 thousand!

My god, what is the matter with people? Can you not see beyond the end of the tunnel?