by Denise Rudolph
My first trip overseas with Dad was in 2003 for the opening of the Juno Beach Centre. In 2004, we travelled to Belgium, Holland, and France. In 2005, we travelled to Zutphen, Holland and stayed with host families.
In 2006, we travelled to Carn, France to actually retrace the steps of places Dad and his regiment fought through, to hear stories and attend ceremonies honouring them. It was so emotional. Seeing the people thanking them, getting them to sign their books, talk with them, and have their picture taken made my heart happy.
Dad was always welcomed with open arms; he received certificates, medals, lapel pins in most places we visited. When we attended ceremonies and school children attended, Dad was happiest.
We visited so many cemeteries, looking up war buddies, people’s relatives from back home and paid our respects. A ceremony was held at each cemetery with a wreath being laid. I remember one cemetery; Dad was a bit tired and said for me to go look up his buddy’s grave and he would wait for me to come back. I paid my respects to then find out it was Dad’s buddy who had been hit in the trench beside him and killed. That could have been my dad – I am thankful he came back home. I will always cherish my trips with Dad and I reflect on them often. I have a wall dedicated to my Dad, of certificates, pictures, and drawings. My dad – my Hero.
les was a wonderful man who came to the mira nursing home at my request to see the vets there and join in celebration with us where he and our vets were the guests of honor over and above the town offiicals --and yet they were always humble --they - he- and others gave so much so we could be free