- Jan 9, 2009
- 15,675
- 10,233
I've started this thread because today, November 11, is a special day. A day to remember.
And on that note... I'll tell you what I remember...
My father...
LAC (Leading AirCraftman) Bernard "Bunny" Haidenger. He would have been in his early 20's (20-23) in this photo. From what I know, during WW2 he was primarily stationed at RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) Station Rockcliffe (Ottawa) where he was a member of a bomber crew (Flight Engineer) and he flew back and forth over the Atlantic, from Ottawa to Britain and Gibraltar) in a bomber carrying the mail to Canada's troops fighting in Europe. He remained in the RCAF until mandatory retirement at age 50, minus a short stint as a printer after the end of WW2.
My father had two brothers, Paul and Phil, and they also served during WW2 (Army). My mother had three brothers; Roy and Bill who served in the Navy and Clarence who served in the Army. All made out of the war alive. They were fortunate. Many didn't and died so young. Most were in their early 20's when their lives were cut short and I'm sure most died afraid in the midst of the horrors of war.
After the war two of my mother's brothers developed addiction problems (alcoholism) and I've often wondered if their WW2 experiences were a contributing factor. Back then nobody talked about PTSD. Nobody. Not all of WW2 victims died from 1939 to 1945. Some took longer.
Thank you for your service.
And on that note... I'll tell you what I remember...
My father...
LAC (Leading AirCraftman) Bernard "Bunny" Haidenger. He would have been in his early 20's (20-23) in this photo. From what I know, during WW2 he was primarily stationed at RCAF (Royal Canadian Air Force) Station Rockcliffe (Ottawa) where he was a member of a bomber crew (Flight Engineer) and he flew back and forth over the Atlantic, from Ottawa to Britain and Gibraltar) in a bomber carrying the mail to Canada's troops fighting in Europe. He remained in the RCAF until mandatory retirement at age 50, minus a short stint as a printer after the end of WW2.
My father had two brothers, Paul and Phil, and they also served during WW2 (Army). My mother had three brothers; Roy and Bill who served in the Navy and Clarence who served in the Army. All made out of the war alive. They were fortunate. Many didn't and died so young. Most were in their early 20's when their lives were cut short and I'm sure most died afraid in the midst of the horrors of war.
After the war two of my mother's brothers developed addiction problems (alcoholism) and I've often wondered if their WW2 experiences were a contributing factor. Back then nobody talked about PTSD. Nobody. Not all of WW2 victims died from 1939 to 1945. Some took longer.
Thank you for your service.
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