COLUMN: Flash back – March 7, 1946, Steinbach welcomes home veterans
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 11/11/2024 (193 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Happy servicemen, their families and friends, crowded the Steinbach Collegiate Auditorium for a “Welcome Home” dinner given in their honor by the Steinbach Board of Trade, Steinbach Town Council and the Women’s Institute.
Ben D. Penner, who gave the “Welcome Home” address, said he regretted that lack of space did not permit invitations to be extended to the boys from outside of the district.
Reverend Henry Brandt said grace and delivered a short sermon, “Saluting with gratitude and pride your heroism and sacrifice.”
A short program by the Steinbach Brass Band was followed by Mrs R. Whetter singing An Irish Lullaby, accompanied by A. Rempel.
Jac G. Kornelsen presented leather wallets to the servicemen on behalf of the town, and it was noted that over half of the veterans have been students of Mr. Kornelsen.
Ernest A. Reimer acknowledged the presentations on behalf of the servicemen, and put in a few good words for the army, for good measure.
Not to be outdone, Ernest Goossen, of the Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve, responded with the comment that “quality goes before quantity” and that “the navy always had quality.”
Ben Unruh then took the floor, speaking for the Air Force, saying that they weren’t as delicate as Reimer had painted them to be.
A toast (“Adam’s ale”) was proposed to the servicemen by Dr. Whetter, answered by Walt Barkman. Further toasts (still “Adam’s ale”) were then proposed to the King, and to the wives overseas. Quite a number of the boys stood up for that last one.
Two families were especially recognized for their dedication to the service of their country. Mr. and Mrs. Jac. D. Barkman had six boys in the Services, while Mr and Mrs A.A. Reimer had five boys in the Services.
A two-minute silence was observed for five missing boys: George Barkman, Ronald Campbell, Frank Giesbrecht, Jake Klippenstein and Nick Peters.
Norman Friesen, Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve, played the last post.
The dinner ended in a happy mood, with a sing-song, led by Averno Rempel. When the lights dimmed, and the show was over, the boys gathered elsewhere to continue their sing-song.