The future of our children depends on peace

Trudy Lang shares her message during the Rotary Club of North Bay's Take Time to Remember program Monday.

The Rotary Club of North Bay in partnership with the Royal Canadian Legion held their annual Remembrance Day program luncheon Monday.

The program included Remembrance Day readings, playing of The Last Post and Reveille, and a moment of silence to commemorate all the Canadian men and women who witnessed the conflict and made the ultimate sacrifice for peace.

A very touching moment during the luncheon came when Trudy Lang, a local school teacher, shared a message her father Franciszek Antony Piekarski recorded in 1993 for her school Remembrance Day Services.

“I used to play the tape with his voice giving this message, and it was extremely moving for adults and children alike. You could hear the emotion in his voice and picture the tears in his eyes,” notes Lang.

“My Dad was called to service in the army in 1937, spent two years, in army service and was due to go home, when World War II broke out in 1939. He then spent 1939-1945 in the war, day and night for 6 years, and the next two years 1945-1947 with England's King's Occupation Forces patrolling borders. Ten (10) years of his life were given for our freedom! I'm so proud of him. He is my hero!”


Remembrance Day Message

"I remember when the Second World War broke out in Europe. I had been in the Polish Army for my required two years and I was due to go home in just two weeks. I didn't get home then and have never to this day seen my family. I drove a tank on the front line; I witnessed the massacre of Normandy; I saw the destruction and suffering of human life that comes with years of war.

The future of our children depends on peace. Children, you can't remember, but, think; think of ways to solve problems peacefully."

Franciszek Antony Piekarski
(1993)


Remembrance Day ceremonies take place today at Memorial Gardens on Chippewa Street at 10:45am.