By Joel van der Veen
DAVIDSON — For the crowd gathered at Davidson Town Hall on Remembrance Day, Alf Stulberg represented a living link with history and Canada’s fight for freedom.
The 94-year-old is one of the area’s last surviving Second World War veterans, and his story struck a chord with many in attendance.
During the ceremony, Bonnie Jean Low read a short summary of Alf’s war experience, detailing how he joined the army in November 1942 and went overseas in June 1944.
Stulberg was captured by the Germans in the Netherlands three months later and spent around seven months as a prisoner of war.
He was released prior to VE Day on May 8, 1945. By that time the long marches and lack of food had taken their toll; at the time of his release, he weighed just 121 pounds.
When Low finished reading, the crowd of more than 200 broke out in a spontaneous standing ovation. Stulberg humbly responded by thanking all for attending and adding, “It is a privilege and an honour to be here.”
It was a brief moment and a highlight of Wednesday’s ceremony, organized by the Davidson Inter-Church Association (DICA) and Branch 51 of the Royal Canadian Legion.
The 90-minute program, led by emcee Mary Jane Morrison, incorporated music, Scripture and history with military tradition.
Legion branch president Gordon McRae, who served as the parade marshall, said he was pleased with the turnout and response.
Pianist Nancy Wilkins led a community choir in singing old standards as the audience members filed in, with the parade of colours beginning around 10:45 a.m.
Members of 553 Sherlock Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets led the parade, followed by the singing of “O Canada” and a prayer by Lana Schmiedge.
The Last Post, two minutes of silence and the Reveille were followed by the Act of Remembrance, after which Comrade Ila May Northrop read the names of fallen comrades from Davidson and district.
A total of 15 wreaths were laid during the ceremony, followed by the hymn “When Quiet Peace is Shattered.” Ila May Northrop read from Ecclesiastes 3, Father Joseph Gyim-Austin read Psalm 47, and Joanne LePoudre offered a prayer.
A slide show, created by last year’s Grade 12 class at Davidson School, was shown, followed by the hymn “O God, Our Help in Ages Past.”
Members of the Legion presented brief historical speeches. Ila May Northrop read a history of the Legion, which celebrates its 90th anniversary nationally this year.
Gladys Junop presented the history of the local branch, which was formed in 1919, originally as part of the Great War Veterans Association, and remains active with a total of 30 members, including three veterans.
Mary Lynne Golphy read a history of the Ladies Auxiliary, which was active for decades and disbanded in 2000.
Low concluded the speeches by reading of Stulberg’s war experience, for which he was honoured in May by the French government and named a Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour, an order established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802.
An offering was collected for DICA’s Christmas Gift Card project. Rev. Mathias Ross gave the prayer of dedication, followed by the hymn “Faith of Our Fathers.”
Pastor Lucas Branstetter gave the benediction, after which “God Save the Queen” was sung and the retiring of the colours commenced.
Following the service, a 90th anniversary cake was served, along with coffee and doughnuts provided by Riverbend Co-op.
For the full story, along with coverage of Remembrance Day events at Hanley, Craik and Davidson School, please see the Nov. 16 edition of The Davidson Leader.