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Mary Milner was born and raised in the West Midlands of England, nestled between Coventry and Birmingham. At the age of 12, her life took an unexpected turn. It was 1939, and war had gripped Europe. She was set to begin senior school that September, but when she arrived, the school was gone, destroyed by a bomb. Instead of classes and homework, her days were now filled with the harsh reality of a world at war.

On Remembrance Day, we honour the memories of those who faced unimaginable horrors during the Holocaust and celebrate the resilience of survivors who carried the weight of those memories into the present. Among these survivors is Aileen Frydrych, who endured the devastation of World War II as a young Jewish girl in Poland, and later Belarus. Her story is a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of relentless persecution.

For Remembrance Day, we honour the resilience and courage of Holocaust survivors, whose stories remind us of the depths of human cruelty and the strength of the human spirit. Paula Goldhar’sstory is a powerful example of surviving against overwhelming odds, a narrative that speaks not only of loss but of enduring hope.

On Remembrance Day, we honour the quiet valor of veterans like John Lajoie, a Kingsmere resident whose wartime narrative differs from the well-trodden battlefields of Europe. His tale is set in the perilous expanse of the North Atlantic, where, as a navy minesweeper during the Second World War, he and his fellow crew members hunted for and deactivated hidden sea mines to ensure the safety of passing vessels.

As Remembrance Day approaches, we take a moment to reflect on those who served in the world wars. Among them is Chad Bark, an army veteran with a distinctive story. Unlike the harrowing tales from the front lines which are often associated with war, Chad's experience was unique, and one shaped by his role in the Signal Corps.

As Remembrance Day approaches, we reflect on the stories of veterans like 103-year-old John Kuharski, whose memories of service are as vivid as they are heartrending. With World War II already underway John's journey began on May 8, 1940, as a young 20-year-old stepping into a dark, dangerous and uncertain world.

Each November, we commemorate Remembrance Day, honouring the brave souls who stood in defense of our freedoms. This year, we delve into a slightly different military journey of one such hero. Englishman William “Bill” Wornes — whose childhood was indelibly marked by the war — served with both the British and Canadian armies, bringing music and courage to various corners of the world.

"I can't believe that I could survive the horrors I went through.” This quote tragically sums up Rose Mandelbaum’s early life, before she came to Canada aged 21. Now in her mid 90s, Rose had been through it all before she arrived on in Halifax in 1947 and it’s hard for anyone who didn’t live through World War II to truly understand her viewpoint.

During his time in the military, Corporal Ron Smith knew every army song.

Born in 1934 in Toronto, ON, Ron joined the military when he was 23 years old. By the time he joined in 1947, WWII was over. However, there was always work to do.

Ron served primarily in the kitchens as a cook. He also worked in the transportation sector. He enjoyed his time in service, and stayed with the military for 25 years.

Ron spent most of his time in the military in Canada; however, he did spend a year on a peacekeeping mission in Palestine and the Middle East. He enjoyed the experience.

While in service, Ron met his wife. She was a server at a local restaurant in Barrie, ON. The couple were happily married for 47 years. After he retired from the military, Ron became a custodian for the school board in Barrie. He continued to love singing and was part of a tri band in Orillia for several years.

Today, Ron continues to sing and enjoy life at Owen Hill Care Community in Barrie, ON.

Anti-aircraft ammunition streaked by them, missing them by inches — until it didn’t.