Ceremony Day

Ceremony day- Well the day that we have all been waiting for has arrived. Twenty full busloads of kids from across Canada, from PEI to BC. Yes, the entire cemetery was pretty much full and very few headstones were left unattended. The weather cold and damp, quite symbolic I might add, but the kids stood still and silent through it all. Unfortunately with a system to bus all students in to the Moro River area, we ended up being one of the last buses in place and therefore did not get very much time to really appreciate the size and total loss of life present below our feet. Only a few of the grave rubbings were completed because of the schedule and the pending rain, but we decided we would begin a new quest. There is nothing like making a positive out of a negative. WE have decided that tomorrow at Cassino Cemetery we will find new soldiers, and start the process from what is usually the end of the journey, a grave rubbing. We’ll see how that goes as some great ideas grew out of the last minute thinking session that took place before the march back to Ortona.
One of my “WOW” moments for the day occurred the minute Olivia and I found ole Freddie Boychuk. Almost instantaneously Olivia bent down to touch the grave and began to cry. Giving her a minute to compose herself we attempted to do the grave rubbing, but to no avail as the ceremony was about to start. I promised her we would go back.
As the ceremony began we each stood in front of a soldiers grave as the stories of gratitude and old were told. With many people getting emotional around us the “WOW” moments continued to flow with the tears. Kelly and Daniel located William Oaks and stood in front of his grave. If you don't know the story, WillIam C. Oaks was in the same tank regiment and worked in the same tank as Kelly’s “grundaddy” Earle Colwill. More emotions, more great memories.
As the cold damp weather continued on around us your children stood in attention and listened and more importantly thought about what it must have been like to in that area 65 years ago. We each had PEI flags with us to lay at the graves and before we left, I gave a couple of kids the opportunity to write on their flags and leave a message for their soldier and whomever would happen upon the grave next. A lot of thank you’s were said by Olivia and Lucas and Daniel, and I simply wrote” Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Because of you my children grow up in a better world...” As with my trips before it seemed so insignificant, but that was all I had to give, but it was heartfelt.
After the ceremony the large flag was unfurled and the windy downhill, and eventually uphill trek to Ortona began. The flag was huge and beautiful and took countless students took carry it all the way to Ortona. It took maybe 30 minutes for all of the students to make it back and we treated to a nice lunch before going to the afternoon city portion of the ceremony began. Soon I was going to have be in the spotlight and I had just gotten the script in the morning, oh well I am king of “wingin’ it” at TOSH so it shouldn’t be a problem.
Just as we were about to leave for the outdoor ceremony at city centre it began to pour!!!!! We still had about a 10 minute walk to the new location, thankfully indoors at St. Tomaso Church. You may be asking why weren’t the students bussed??? Well the logistics of that would be a nightmare as the city streets are about the width of your driveways, and 20 buses do not fit all at once in many European streets. So we walked in the pouring rain and no one complained, I would travel anywhere with these kids...by the way they want to go on another excursion next year. I told them to relax and let’s finish this one.
As Co-Master of ceremonies in front of 1000 people or so it was very special to play a role in this great activity. There were more speeches from students, dignitaries and most importantly the people of Ortona. The Mayor spoke of his gratefulness to the people of Canada for saving their city, and if you remember that little Lasorda lady I mentioned earlier, she was also recognized for all of her years of dedication in keeping the memories of the Canadian soldiers alive. She was very grateful and full of hugs and kisses once again. Because the altar of the church was so crowded, each time someone new came to spoke I was forced to withdraw to the back and each time I ended up beside Francesca who would rub my hand and want to hug me constantly. I have never felt that much sincerity and gratefulness in all of my life. I did not fight to save her city, but my fellow Canadians did and she has said she will be forever grateful and part Canadian at heart....amazing stuff. Another neat story was told was another survivor Tomasso, and I can’t remember his last name. HE spoke of remembering the Canadian boys fighting in the streets and specifically of December 28th 1943 as he and his father made their way back to the city to see what was left of their city and their home. They came across a Canadian soldier working hard to stir a pot of food. HE continued to say that the soldier came over to them with one of the biggest smiles and greetings he had ever had. The soldier offered them some food, beans no less, and he and his father quickly ate the beans as they had not eaten in over two days. They began to work in the streets with the Canadians in order to try to clean debris whenever it was safe and has never forgotten the helpfulness and kindness of the Canadians and from that day vowed to never forget us and make sure that every time he met or found out a Canadian was in Ortona he would welcome them with open arms. Another amazing story.......
Once again it is late and the kids are in bed as we are preparing to leave for another cemetery tomorrow as previously mentioned. It looks as if we are going to take a bit of a side excursion when we arrive back in Roma as the opportunity has come up to take some students to the ancient catacombs. I will hopefully have no issues with internet tomorrow evening and post once more. Sorry but not many pics tonight and the kids are already in bed. Take care and chat later!!!
dc