april 08, 2009 12:40am
August 16, 2008 Leaving PEI
Saturday August 16, 2008.
Leaving PEI
The day started with breakfast with Louis and Frances. On this morning we, to my surprise, no sting beans. We had a good breakfast and we finished up with a video shoot were the two brothers gad a chance to talk about the two brothers that they lost in WW2. Walter was in the army and was killed in France. He was o guard duty and was attacked and was shot in the head. As Louis told the story he made a point of saying that Walter died instantly. James was killed in the same plane as Harold La Pointe was wounded in. If you recall from another entry, Harold is my old scout leader that was a big influence in my life and one of the men that inspired the “Online Veterans Video Library”. James was a gunner on the Halifax that Harold was also a gunner. Harold was the only surviver of the seven man crew. Harold introduced me to the brothers Louis and Francis in London Ontario.
After the shoot Louis and Francis Lead me to the ferry over the Northumberland Straight. We said our goodbyes and I drove the Blue Bomber onto the ferry.
This is my first time on the ferry and on the ocean. What a great experience. I stood on the upper deck and enjoyed the voyage. I met a man on board that was in the peace time navy. We had an interesting conversation and he gave me some pointers on were to go in Halifax. As we pull into the dock I was the last one on the upper deck. I didn't want the crossing to be over. I hurried down the the RV and got her started for the disembarkation. As we got onto the highway I had a smile on my face because the day was sunny, for a change and I was on my way into NS.
My first stop was Pictou NS. I stooped at the legion and got two interviews. The first was a man that played hockey for the army during WW2. The second man was a Korea war vet who had some good stories of combat. After taking a few pictures I headed for my next stop.
I arrived in New Glasgow around noon and met the president and the executive officer. They let me sell a couple of shirts and I walked out of there with 160 bucks, not bad for a short stop. From there I started down the highway to a small legion in Westville. I met the bartender and she showed me around. But no donations for t-shirts there.
I stayed the night in Truro at he legion. I was there about ten minutes when I gave away a shirt for an interview with a guy who was in the arm in 44 or 45. Then I hit gold, I met Charles McLean. Charles is one of the most inspirational men I have ever met. He is a ma tee man on a life mission to be a good Canadian. He served in Korea and rouse up the ranks very quickly and fought in Korea. He stayed in the army for a while and then spent some time in the Navy. Then after the CF he became a chartered accountant. He lost his first wife and remarried a great gale. He is very active in the Legion, to the point of taking a shot just to march in a parade. Quite a man.
After walking back to the RV with Chinese food ,that I got ripped off for, I turned in for the night.
