By Matt Weingarden, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Lakeshore News Reporter
Remembrance Day ceremonies were held in Woodslee on Sunday November 9th at the Millen Community Centre. The event was hosted by the Millen Group and members of SOMM (Southern Ontario Military Muster). The North Wall Riders, Royal Canadian Sea Cadet Corps Agamemnon of Windsor, RCNA Firing Party, Br. 255 Colour and veterans took part in the ceremony on a beautiful sunny afternoon. Local dignitaries included Lakeshore mayor Tracey Bailey, deputy mayor Kirk Walstedt, Anthony Leardi – MPP Essex and Chris Lewis – MP Essex.
Local veteran Gerard ‘Gerry’ Becigneul, 92, served in the Korean Conflict as an arterial specialist with the 3rd Battallion Royal Canadian Regiment in a forward observation post on the front line. Born in Windsor, he joined the service at 19 years of age in 1951 and arrived in Korea in April of 1953. His artillery squad took part in the Battle of Hill 187, where he lost two close friends.
“It’s not a real happy event to remember…we went through a lot,” said Becigneul. “We were over run on May the 2nd 1953. That night we lost 26 Canadians. Two of those men were close friends of mine. It was very sad, and I’ll never forget them I can tell you that…they are still on my minds all the time.”
The Korean War is commonly referred to as the forgotten war. This is partly due to its placement in history, between World War two and the Vietnam War, both wars that greatly affected global politics, western culture and society. The Korean War began only five years after the end of WWII and ended just two years before the start of Vietnam.
Becigneul returned to Canada at the end of May 1953 at the age of 22 – just in time to attend his brother’s wedding.
“I was grateful that I did get home. We did our duty, we did it to the best of our ability,” said Becigneul.
“I was fortunate. I married and had a wonderful family, three children, grand children and five great grand kids.”
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