Dennis Gelean, Collector of Militaria of the World Wars

Across the country, individuals, groups, businesses and veterans are remembering Wars gone by and maybe even those still waging.  In Canada, between November 5 to November 11 it has become a week of Remembrance.  Above is a newspaper clipping of my dad, Dennis Gelean in the midst of only a small portion of the history he's managed to pull together & keep alive by sharing it with anyone who takes interest.  Be sure to check out his web page for a look into the Gas Masks, Uniforms, and Vehicles of the World Wars.  They live in the Bulkley Valley, where the Coast Mountain GM Showroom will be displaying some of his collection in honor of Remembrance Week.

FREEDOM ISN'T FREE

My dad sent this to me in an email yesterday.  He notes, "This was in the Langley Lodge review, it didn't give the authors name, but I hadn't heard it before and thought others should have it as well."  I fully agree, a beautiful tribute.  Thank you to the author, whoever you may be.

FREEDOM ISN'T FREE
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I watched the flag pass by one day,
  it fluttered in the breeze.
  A young Soldier saluted it,
  And then he stood at ease.

  I looked at him in uniform
  So young, so tall, so proud,
With hair cut square and eyes alert
  He'd stand out in any crowd.

I thought how many men like him
  Had fallen through the years.
  How many died on foreign soil
  How many mothers tears?

How many pilots planes shot down?
   How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers graves?
    No, freedom isn't free.

I heard the sound of Taps one night,
  When everything was still,
  I listened to the bugler play
   And felt a sudden chill.

I wondered just how many times
  That Taps had meant "Amen",
When a flag had draped a coffin,
  Of a brother or a friend.

  I thought of all the children,
 Of the mothers and the wives,
 Of fathers, sons and husbands
   With interrupted lives.

  I thought about a graveyard
    At the bottom of the sea
Of broken hearts and unmarked graves.
   No, freedom isn't free.

No, Freedom Isn't Free!


If you like freedom,
Thank a Veteran.