Every last one should be remembered
Milburn's actions redefined courage
A few years ago while flipping through The Star's annual Remembrance Day feature, I was taken aback by the photograph of a soldier with a gleam in his eye, a wry smile and a cocked head as if to say, "few people have done what I've done in this war." It dared me to read the accompanying text.
The text told clearly and firmly how the soldier had parachuted behind enemy lines on June 5, 1944, minutes before midnight. He was part of the British and American airborne who were to cut communication lines, destroy bridges and perform general chaos while the assault on the beaches occurred. I was awestruck.
That group of paratroopers dropped from gliders into the French countryside, some of the bravest people who ever lived. Gen. Rommel had anticipated such a drop and had flooded fields and inserted spikes called Rommel's Asparagus, so many of this secret battalion either drowned or were impaled.
That a survivor of such a battle actually lived in Windsor prompted a phone call to Gordon Milburn. Mr. Milburn talked openly and freely regaling me with stories for about 20 minutes.
His voice was an enthusiastic rasp tinged with impishness that all good storytellers seem to have. That picture in the paper was taken a few days before the D-Day launch and, after consuming a bottle of rum with companions, they headed off to what might have been their last photograph.
After we hung up, it occurred to me that Mr. Milburn never mentioned freedom, liberty, evil, way of life, God, or any other platitude.
Although he did say his daughter was Windsor's first female black school principal. It was an epiphany.
A man who had a plethora more freedoms here in Canada than the United States couldn't join the U.S. forces because they were segregated and airborne troops were strictly white during those times. In an era when politicians were calling for dubious state funerals and invading fourth- and fifth- world countries for the flimsiest reasons, Mr. Milburn's actions redefined courage.
To paraphrase Bud Green-span, we saw a man give dignity to war. A man who lifted war up beyond the infantile behaviour of grown men sacrificing the lives of others. All honour to Gordon Milburn of Canada.
Mr. Milburn passed away this week at the age of 90. May he rest in peace.
GREG ATKIN, Windsor
A few years ago while flipping through The Star's annual Remembrance Day feature, I was taken aback by the photograph of a soldier with a gleam in his eye, a wry smile and a cocked head as if to say, "few people have done what I've done in this war." It dared me to read the accompanying text.
The text told clearly and firmly how the soldier had parachuted behind enemy lines on June 5, 1944, minutes before midnight. He was part of the British and American airborne who were to cut communication lines, destroy bridges and perform general chaos while the assault on the beaches occurred. I was awestruck.
That group of paratroopers dropped from gliders into the French countryside, some of the bravest people who ever lived. Gen. Rommel had anticipated such a drop and had flooded fields and inserted spikes called Rommel's Asparagus, so many of this secret battalion either drowned or were impaled.
That a survivor of such a battle actually lived in Windsor prompted a phone call to Gordon Milburn. Mr. Milburn talked openly and freely regaling me with stories for about 20 minutes.
His voice was an enthusiastic rasp tinged with impishness that all good storytellers seem to have. That picture in the paper was taken a few days before the D-Day launch and, after consuming a bottle of rum with companions, they headed off to what might have been their last photograph.
After we hung up, it occurred to me that Mr. Milburn never mentioned freedom, liberty, evil, way of life, God, or any other platitude.
Although he did say his daughter was Windsor's first female black school principal. It was an epiphany.
A man who had a plethora more freedoms here in Canada than the United States couldn't join the U.S. forces because they were segregated and airborne troops were strictly white during those times. In an era when politicians were calling for dubious state funerals and invading fourth- and fifth- world countries for the flimsiest reasons, Mr. Milburn's actions redefined courage.
To paraphrase Bud Green-span, we saw a man give dignity to war. A man who lifted war up beyond the infantile behaviour of grown men sacrificing the lives of others. All honour to Gordon Milburn of Canada.
Mr. Milburn passed away this week at the age of 90. May he rest in peace.
GREG ATKIN, Windsor
posted by WE Speak at 3:53 a.m.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home