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ovember
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Poppy sellers reflect on soldiers’ sacrifice A Langley couple shared their distant, and recent, war memories.
are we going to have a war with the Russians?’” The officer answered, “Yes, and any day soon.” Those words sent a chill through Omelaniec, because he had a cousin drafted into the Russian army from Belarus. by Troy Landreville Omelaniec spent part tlandreville@langleyadvance.com of his Wednesday sitting alongside his wife Sixty-seven years have Pam at the Willowbrook passed and the image of a Shopping Centre, where Hitler ephigy hanging off they sold poppies by donaa rope is still fresh in Sam tion on behalf of the Royal Omelaniec’s memory. The lifelong Langley resi- Canadian Legion. War affected Pam dent was seven years old Omelaniec’s family. Her when the Second World uncle was killed in the War came to an end in Battle of Gallipoli in 1915, 1945. during the First World That May, Omelaniec War. stood at 203rd Street and “He was 21,” she said. Fraser Highway, near his “I have his medals and home, watching a victory an actual card he sent… parade pass by. “The one thing I remem- from Egypt just a few days before he ber is, there died.” was Hitler “Canadians Pam on a gallows volunteered, and it’s was born on a float. in Bury, They had so humbling to go him strung and see literally miles England and said up there,” and miles of Canadian in the UK, Omelaniec people recalled. graves.” were “It’s funny Pam Omelaniec never told that things about the like that Canadian involvement in stick with you.” Omelaniec’s memories of the conflict. “When we went to the Second World War era France a few years ago, revolve around his feet. and I saw those rows and “You had a hard time rows of Canadian graves… getting kids’ shoes,” he Brits think, and I’m shared. “So I had to wear sure a lot do, that those a pair of girl’s shoes that guys were conscripted. were handed down from They weren’t,” she said. my older brother Mike. “Canadians volunteered, They had little silver and it’s so humbling to nickel buckles on them. go and see, literally, miles I hated those things but and miles of Canadian they worked.” graves, and two guys were In 1956, the then 18from Cloverdale.” year-old Omelaniec joined Many Canadians volunthe Westminster Regiment. teered to fight for our free“That was the year that dom, and Pam said that the Russians invaded needs to be related to the Hungary, and I rememyounger generation. ber we were training in Looking back at their Nanaimo at the army visit to Normandy in 2008, training camp, and one of the young men asked, ‘Sir, Sam recalled that, “One
particular headstone that got us. There was a young man in his early 20s, and the writing at the foot of the headstone said, ‘Always remembered by your wife and your little son Ronnie.’ And that really touched me. You wonder who Ronnie is now. He’d be about my age, I guess.”
Royal Canadian Legion volunteers Sam and Pam Omelaniec sold poppies by donation Wednesday afternoon at the Willowbrook Shopping Centre.
Troy Landreville Langley Advance
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Rotary Club of Langley Central
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Free sweets and treats throughout the centre. Also, enjoy random giveaways including ELLE Canada magazine. Plus, spend $100+ at any retailer during the event and receive a special gift from The Body Shop (limited quantities available).
BRONZE SPONSORS
ROLL ENDS FOR SALE
$10 tickets available at Willowbrook’s Customer Service Centre, via participating charities and shopwillowbrook.com. 100% of ticket sale proceeds to benefit local charities.
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#112 - 6375 - 202nd St. 604-534-8641
CUSTOMER SERVICE 604.530.4492
FRASER HWY & NO. 10 HWY, LANGLEY