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
---------------------------

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.

Remembering Private Joseph "Joel" Paulson - WW1

I didn't want to forget a man I never met, who is still a part of my history.  My Dad's mom (my Grandma)'s brother, Joseph, whom she called Joel, went off to War when he was 20 during WW1.  I heard the stories growing up -  about the brother, the uncle, the great-uncle none of us ever knew.  He died in WW1.  "Wasn't there for long before he died"... "never left Halifax".    Possibly the truth is, he died from influenza, the Spanish Flu, on his way over.  As, I'm sure so many deaths must have been contributed to illness.  He was only 20 when he died in 1918, buried in Hampshire, UK.  This, I only found out during my research to validate his existence.   Isn't it funny, as in funny - peculiar, how we always need validation of existence?  Hearing about him all my life piqued my interest - but I don't have any photos, I never saw a picture of him in uniform hanging on the wall.  I really don't know that much about him, but my Grandma must have loved him because she gave my Dad his nickname "Joel" as one of his given names, and my brother was also given his name.  So, Joseph, Joel... must have been a special guy - so, I want to know everything I can about this man, we all know so little of.  I can't ask my Grandma now... since, she has passed.  But, in this world of technology, and a little help from my genealogical mom - I found a couple of things so far.

In Memory of Pte Joseph Paulson

He was born July 13, 1898.  He had 4 sisters and 3 brothers,  Palmer, Olga, Selmer (Sam), Arthur (Arten - whom my brother was named for), Mabel, Mary and my Grandma, Annie.  He was in the Canadian Infantry Saskatchewan Regiment 15th Div Reserve Battalion.  They gave plaques to the family of those who died.  He died October 5, 1918 and was buried in Hampshire, United Kingdom in the Bramshott (ST. MARY) Churchyard.  (If you're ever passing through, please give him my love).  

So we know that he made it overseas, but other than that I have more personal digging to do.  For me, just seeing his name recognized and added to a War Memorial validates the existence of this ancestor who's blood runs through my veins.  I can now feel a closeness, an attachment, or a connection.  I can't explain it - but it brings me peace.  

Brenda Gelean

Canada Remembers

In the Beginning, Pte George R Carver

*  It is the 100 year anniversary of the Canadian Red Cross. *

All month, it is my hope and intention to bring to you each day another glimpse into the Canadian History of War since WW1.  With some links to great sites and my dad's research and collections of Gas Masks and Army Vehicles, I hope you will find it interesting and educational & most of all, a time to reflect and remember those who've gone before us.  This is my introduction to this month's blogs.

Although war has touched every country probably since the dawn of time - it is a relatively new approach, to try to learn from our mistakes and not repeat History or re-write it.  'Lest We Forget' those who died on the battlefields.  Since the Great War, World War 1 which began in 1914,  "Lest We Forget" taken from Rudyard Kipling's poem "Recessional" written in 1897 for Queen Victoria, became the line of Remembrance.  Is this when we began to Remember?

I have been very fortunate to have a family that does Remember, and they share their remembrances and the remembrances of those whose family's have passed on.  Whether it be through museums or Remembrance Day displays, we can be sure that at least at one time each year we have the opportunity to remind people and teach people and the generations to come about our history, and how Canada was a part of it.  We will remember not just Canadians but all those who have been affected by War, and sadly the casualty list keeps growing because too many have Forgotten.  So, I'm going to do my part and share what I have learned, share my thoughts and hopefully share my eagerness to learn and try to understand humanity.  In our search to understand the wrath of War, maybe we can end them.  Nice thought, eh?  Well, let's spread the word and at least begin to Remember, and try to learn from our History.

I mentioned above how we must not repeat History, BUT I also mentioned not Re-writing it.  Many people think we have to sugar coat War... as to not offend anyone?!  I don't know why they feel the need to "cover up" the truth.  How can one possibly learn anything or believe anything if it turns out to be fiction?!  War is very real - we all know that.  War kills, people kill - there is always an enemy.  We are all the enemy - because there are always two sides.  Okay.  So, why do people try to hide a symbol, a flag, a name that's from our History?  And here I mean World History.   Some people can't handle the truth.  Well, here it is folks - the truth hurts, but it hurts even more if kept hidden.  Many may say, it's History - forget about it.  Wrong!  Never, ever forget, but remember those who had no choice.  Today, we really do have a choice, are we making the right ones?  I don't think we've learned our lessons, yet.

Pte George Carver, Canadian Scottish
Wilhelmshaven, Germany

I have never fought in a War, neither has my Dad.  But, my Dad is a huge asset to educating people like us about War and it's History.   My Mom's Dad, my Grampa is a Veteran from WW2.  He started out with the Canadian Armoured Corps, then going overseas was transferred to the Seaforth Highlanders and then transferred to the Canadian Scottish Regiment.  My mom was just a young girl and her younger brother thought his Dad was a picture on the wall.  My Grampa survived overseas and came through the war-torn economy and lack of work, food and money with a family to take care of.  Once the War has ended, do we all forget about the pieces that need picking up?  My Gramma and Grampa are still with us today, and that's all I need to do is look at them to Remember.

Brenda Gelean

Press Release: Truehope Challenges Health Canada in Federal Courts

Press Release: Truehope Challenges Health Canada in Federal Courts

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