Second World War Veteran Robert Edward Smith, 97, left, at the North Battleford Remembrance Day ceremony at John Paul II Collegiate on Monday. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff

By Angela Brown

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Nov 11, 2019 | 5:07 PM

It was an emotional day for many families and veterans themselves attending the Remembrance Day ceremony in North Battleford Monday.

The service organized by The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 70, one of several ceremonies held in the Battlefords area, had a packed crowd at John Paul II Collegiate.

Among those participating was Second World War Veteran Robert Edward Smith, 97.

The North Battleford resident attended with his daughter Janice Christensen and son-in-law Ben Christensen.

“I would never miss it,” Smith said of the importance of the Remembrance Day ceremony. “I haven’t missed one since 1948.”

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He served overseas working in communications, using Morse Code to relay messages among the troops. Smith said he and his team would dig trenches for cover during the air bombings at night, waiting until it was safe to proceed.

Smith trained in London, England and served in France and Belgium, as part of his duty.

A member of the Signal Corps., he and his team were responsible for implementing radio technology during the war,

“We had telephone exchange, the wireless and the cable because the Germans couldn’t pick it up,” he said. “We had a big crew of linemen, they called them; they laid it as we moved.”

This was the only way to send messages to the troops, he said.

His division also was involved in delivering supplies to the troops in the field, including medical needs, clothing and food rations.

Smith said if he could say anything to his own grandchildren and great grandchildren today he hoped they never saw a conflict similar to the First World War and Second World War in the future.

The family of North Battleford Second World War Veteran Elzear “Shorty” Duhaime – (left to right) daughter Annette, wife Dorothy and son Alan – lay a wreath in honour of Duhaime who passed away Nov. 8. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

The family of North Battleford Second World War Veteran Elzear “Shorty” Duhaime – daughter Annette, wife Dorothy and son Alan – also attended the ceremony and lay a wreath in honour of Duhaime who passed away Nov. 8.

Duhaime’s nephew Gerry Duhaime attended the service as well.

Gerry Duhaime said the Remembrance Day service was always an important ceremony for his uncle to attend.

He said he recalls Shorty Duhaime telling him that during his service overseas, because he could speak French, he was able to inform many of the French people they were liberated when the war was over.

“Not a lot of the armed forces could speak French; so he was asked to do that,” Gerry said. “I thought that was pretty unique and incredible. He could speak four languages – it was amazing.”

“He was quite an interesting individual,” Gerry said, adding that he has a great deal of affection for his uncle, and is sad to hear of his passing.

Silver Cross Mother representative Mari Rodriguez, left, with her husband Veteran Byron Rodriguez, who served with the Canadian mission in Afghanistan, are shown at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 70 in North Battleford. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW Staff)

Many also attended a luncheon at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 70 in North Battleford following the service.

North Battleford Silver Cross Mother representative Mari Rodriguez, attended with her husband Veteran Byron Rodriguez, who served with the Canadian mission in the War in Afghanistan.

Master Cpl. Rodriguez, who resides in North Battleford, served as a medic with the Canadian forces during two tours, in 2008 and 2010. He was a crew commander in an armoured vehicle assisting and transporting casualties.

“You get to see a lot of things you don’t want to see, especially when they are your friends,” Rodriguez said of some of the harrowing experiences he witnessed. “It really hurts. You want to help as much as you can, but you are limited to what you can do.”

“I was able to see the need for us to be there – especially [to help] the children, women and old people,” he said, adding the most vulnerable were often victims of the Taliban insurgency.

Rodriguez said he hopes Remembrance Day reminds people including the young generation of how Canada has served in the past as well as what is going on in the world around them.

“We didn’t have to go but we did go. Why, because we always help,” he said. “Canada is well known for helping other people. Other countries that need help, we are always there to help them. And, which is more important, Canadians never expect anything back. We do it because we want to help, not because we have to.”

Rodriguez said he hopes other children in places where Canadian forces have helped can experience some of the freedom in their lifetime that Canadian children are fortunate enough to enjoy.

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow