When I was a young girl my paternal grandmother (born in 1905) hand
wrote her life story as a gift to her four grandchildren. In her story, she only spoke about war a couple of times. Below is the excerpt about her memories of the end of WWI:
wrote her life story as a gift to her four grandchildren. In her story, she only spoke about war a couple of times. Below is the excerpt about her memories of the end of WWI: “On Nov 11, 1918, the first world war ended. I remember the day well. My sister Annie and I had stayed home from school for a week and helped Uncle Dick and Archie take in all the white beans, potatoes, mangels, and turnips. We were finishing the turnips that day when a neighbour’s dinner bell rang for about half an hour. Word had come over the phone that the Kaiser had signed the Peace treaty. That night my dad made a dummy Kaiser. He stuffed an old pair of overalls and a smock with straw and found an old hat. He propped it up after pouring a quart of coil oil on it and set it on fire. Many of the neighbours came that night and I’m sure some of them were both sad and happy. We kids tramped on the ashes and sang.”
Thank you to all who have served and who continue to serve our country here and around the world. Thank you to all the loved ones of those who serve, as I know yours is a sacrifice in service as well. Thank you all for affording me the privilege of raising my child in a country where there is peace and safety. I pledge that Toad will know of the sacrifices of the past and will see the service of the present.