Ont. growers thank troops for their service

Nov 09, 2018

Remembrance Day ceremonies take place Sunday

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

Canadians will wear red poppies and attend ceremonies Sunday in recognition of Remembrance Day.

On Nov. 11, 1918, German, French and British officials signed an armistice to bring the First World War to an end. The war officially ended in June 1919.

This Remembrance Day will mark the 100^th anniversary of the armistice.

With that anniversary at top of mind, Farms.com connected with members of the Ontario ag community to give them a chance to recognize the service of past and present veterans.

Some producers highlighted that veterans should receive acknowledgement more than just one day each year.

“I wear a poppy all year,” Jim McLachlan, a cash crop producer from Essex County, told Farms.com. “A lot of the men and women that went over to Europe didn’t come back. But because they went over in the first place, we’re able to live freely. I would hope everyone says thank you to a veteran every time they see one.”

Other producers, like Hank Batterink, a dairy farmer from Lambton County, discovered a personal connection to the Canadian military.

The 73-year-old was born in Holland in 1945, near the end of the Second World War. He’s since learned about Canadian troops marching through the country after liberating it from German control.

Holland celebrates Liberation Day annually on May 5, and Canadian dignitaries are often invited to attend. Batterink attended this year’s celebrations.

“I know that Dutch people are eternally grateful for the Canadians,” he told Farms.com. “History has taught us that, if it weren’t for those that gave their lives, we could be living in very different conditions. We have so much to be thankful for, and I think we have to be mindful of that.”

Cathy Hendriks, a beef producer from Bruce County, also has a personal connection to the Canadian forces.

A family friend recently returned from service in Afghanistan.

“He’s back in Canada now and is safe,” she told Farms.com. “We’re so lucky that we have men and women who voluntarily join the military to help keep us safe. We should all be thankful every day when we wake up.”

Be sure to pick up the November edition of Better Farming to see a photo essay about how Ontario’s ag community contributed to the war efforts.

SHAWSHANK61/Getty Images Plus

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