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RE: Keep Right On To The End Of THe Road
I came to realize over the years, they talked about the funny, the spiritual and other aspects because talking about what took them there, the war brought up too many memories.
I used to facilitate presentations to young students around Remembrance Day. When we reached the point where the kids were able ask the Veterans questions I used to start off by asking the kids if they ever had bad dreams.
When they would respond with a show of hands I'd then say to them, "bad things happen during a war. These gentlemen may have seen some of those bad things and would rather not talk about them. So, if they decline answering a question, please understand, it's like a bad dream".
The kids were good about it and the Vets appreciated having the out if the kids ventured too close to painful stuff. It almost seemed to challenge the kids to ask very thoughtful questions.
One of the early groups of kids when we finished the presentations. The teachers were trying to get the kids to line up for the walk back to school. They ignored their teachers and lined up to shake the vets hands and thank them. It was a very touching moment for the vets.
Growing up going to Remembrance day services from young, aware our father fought during the war, met my Mom as a pen-pal during the years away through her cousin, married to my Dads brother, questions never asked going into detail.
Dad went to MOTH meetings monthly, being a relatively small community we went to Christmas parties at the MOTH hall and grew up with all the children whose parents had been over as well.
Walls in the halls, sketches of my Dad from his time away, one knew not to ask, my father in law much the same. Rare stories were told when time was right. Question...., never it was not polite!
Scout Hall outings not very frequent, viewing Charlie Chaplin, Three Stooges and odd black and white movie like Dam Busters were shown on an old projector to wall screen, we learned slowly what the meaning of war is.
Now all written in history, with too many wars still happening. Children do need to know, perhaps doing family tree will lead them into questioning why one day!
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