ST. PAUL - While the pandemic may have slowed things down at the St. Paul Legion, members continue to do what they can to support one another, fundraise, and persevere.
Leading up to Remembrance Day, the usual tasks still need to be done. The poppy flag has already been raised, and plans are in place to host an outdoor event on Nov. 11. A new initiative selling yard signs has proven to be more successful than anticipated, and the act of remembering those who a fought in wars long ago, and not-so-long-ago, remains a priority.
When Peter Bednarchuk graduated from high school, he was just 17 years old. Bednarchuk decided to apply to the Canadian Coast Guard. He went for a tour to see what the job of a mechanical engineer would be like, and realized quickly that he was going to be claustrophobic and it likely would not be a good fit.
So, he asked about being a deck officer, but there was no space for him in that role. At this point, "the track was made" and Bednarchuk decided he would pursue a career in civil engineering through the military. With no spaces available in military colleges, they still agreed to support him and he went to Dawson College in Montreal.
Upon finishing his education, Bednarchuk would go on to serve with the Royal 22e Régiment in the 1970s. He was posted in Germany, and many other areas, and while he can't speak to many of the specifics, he says he was mostly involved in Cold War and Peace Keeping efforts.
Making the decision to spend time in the Canadian Armed Forces was something that simply came naturally. Bednarchuk's father was in the No. 4 Fighter Wing, stationed in Solingen, Germany, working as a mechanic. Bednarchuk had two uncles on his mothers side who served in the military and both were WWII veterans.
A first cousin of his father was killed in WWII when the HMCS Spikenard was hit by torpedos off Iceland in February of 1942.
"It was always difficult for my great aunt," recalls Bednarchuk. Even seeing her nephew in his uniform years later was tough for the grieving mother.
When asked if there was anything specific that drew him to serving in the armed forces, Bednarchuk says it was fairly common growing up to have friends who had parents who served. He was also involved in Boy Scouts and Air Cadets as a youth.
It was "just the fact that there was a job to be done," someone had to do the job, and he was capable of doing the job.
After serving five years, Bednarchuk decided he wanted to dedicate his time to raising a family, and moved on to pursue other things outside the military.
But, what he experienced continues to have an impact on him, and because of his experiences he has a greater understanding of what the world can be like - and it's not always good.
"We want our children to be raised in peace," says Bednarchuk, adding, some people need to do the tough things to keep their country safe. Speaking to current and recent serving military personnel, he notes that many Canadian citizens don't realize that these people truly do stand on guard for the nation.
Delving deeper into the emotions that come along with serving in the military, Bednarchuk says there is no glory. But, everyone is there for a reason, and "it's not the paycheque." Similar to how police officers wake up each day and go to work, there is a high risk involved in doing the job.
Looking ahead to Remembrance Day, Bednarchuk believes it is important to honour the day. By remembering "we believe we have less of a chance that it'll happen again," he explains.
And it's not just remembering the men and women who died serving their country, but those who returned as changed people.
"We're all changed."
The Legion
And while Bednarchuk is willing to answer the call when a job is needing to be done - such as through his ongoing involvement with St. Paul Search and Rescue - there is one place that took him some time to join.
"It took me over 40 years to join the Legion," says Bednarchuk. A basic reason could be "life," but it may go deeper.
Perhaps, it was because he was nervous that joining the Legion would bring back certain emotions... "but maybe it was the time in my life to let that happen," says Bednarchuk.
So, he did eventually take the step and become a member.
In life, people have a number of roles, such as being a parent, a sibling, or an employee - but when Bednarchuk attends the Legion, he is simply "Peter" and he can shed the other roles for a moment in time.
Supports in place to help people deal with post-traumatic stress disorder have come a long way in recent years, but it can still be tough for people to reach out when they need to. And a person doesn't have to experience bullets going past their ears to feel those tough emotions, says Bednarchuk. Giving oneself to their country, to the people, and accepting such a heavy responsibility can weigh on a person.
Fellow veteran
Fellow St. Paul Legion member Jim Morton has only been part of the the local branch for a handful of years, moving to St. Paul four years ago to be closer to family.
Morton also joined the Canadian army as a 17-year-old. He had been in cadets, had a yearning to join, and so he did in 1965.
He went through basic training and was sent to Germany for two years with 1RCHA. He was part of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) efforts and when he came back to Canada he ended up with Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI). He experienced the FLQ Crisis, which he describes as a "very weird time" in Canadian history.
After about a decade, he moved on to work as a prison guard in British Columbia. Eventually, he went back to school and found a career with Owens Corning, working in the fibreglass industry.
Morton's reason for stepping away from the military somewhat echos Bedarchuk's story. After three years of overlapping military life with family life, Morton made the decision to focus on his family.
Now involved with the St. Paul Legion, Morton says he would like to see more being done for local veterans.
"I think we have to pay respects and remember," says Morton.
He is now in the process of planning a special trip with his wife for their 50th wedding anniversary that will see the pair travel across the country to meet up with people who also served. He says there remains a special bond with the people he walked alongside in the military.
