Page 1
Page 2
Page 3
Page 4
Page 5
Page 6
Page 7
Page 8
Page 9
Page 10
Page 11
Page 12
Page 13
Page 14
Page 15
Page 16
Page 17
Page 18
Page 19
Page 20
Page 21
Page 22
Page 23
Page 24
Page 25
Page 26
Page 27
Page 28
Page 29
Page 30
Page 31
Page 32
Page 33
Page 34
Page 35
Page 36
Page 37
Page 38
Page 39
Page 40
Page 41
Page 42
Page 43
Page 44
Page 45
Page 46
Page 47
Page 48
Page 49
Page 50
Page 51
Page 52
Page 53
Page 54
Page 55
Page 56
Page 57
Page 58
Page 59
Page 60
38 FOCUS - NOVEMBER 2015 eorge Emmerson doesnt use a script when he speaks in public. A speech has to come from the heart and you dont need notes to do that he explains succinctly. Its no surprise that multiple organizations would invite George Emmerson to address their Remem- brance Day events. A youthful 93 Georges razor-sharp memory and eloquent manner offer his listeners a potent blend of first-hand experience and engaging story-telling. His November 2014 appearance at Oshawas Hillsdale Manor set in motion unexpected events thanks to a VIP audience member. Erin OToole the Minister of Veterans Affairs sat at my table George remembers. He asked me two things in the course of that evening could he alert the media to my story and would I like to go to Holland for the celebration of 70 years since their liberation from the Germans I said sure to the first and excit- edly replied yes to the second. The story Mr. OToole was anx- ious to share with the media related to a seemingly trivial event late in Georges war experience. Emaciated labour camp internees dotted Dutch roads returning home at wars end. After preparing a meal for one who happened upon their position George sent the man to continue his journey with two chocolate bars to sustain him. The incident was forgotten until by a strange twist of fate George encountered the same mans daugh- ter locally some 60 years later. The Dutchman was by then suffering from advanced Alzheimers and could not communicate but George continued to visit him. Each visit included a gift of two chocolate bars in the hope of stirring memories. Media outlets pounced on the feel-good tale of highly-unlikely coincidence earning George a measure of celebrity. The Toronto Star did a story and I enjoy interviewing meeting interesting people learning about unfamiliar topics unearthing the details behind a story. I especially relished the opportunity to speak a second time to George Emmerson the Canadian soldier who so vividly shared his World War Two memories for a Focus on Scugog story last November. That period of history fascinates me and George himself amazes me. Now 93 a nonagenarian my 25-cent word for the day Georges vitality can serve as an example to us all. And his stories never fail to captivate and entertain. A w ith Rendezvous Remembrance