When the fate of the world was at stake, ordinary Canadians stepped up and carried extraordinary burdens. During the Second World War, more than one million Canadians served overseas. They crossed the Atlantic and faced enormous hardship — yet they pressed on with courage and determination. They were young men and women who put duty before comfort and risked their futures so freedom could endure.

Many never returned and those who did come home carried the memories of battle, shaping the peace that followed. We honour them not only for their victories, but for their resolve to stand firm against tyranny and fascism. Their sacrifices secured more than land; they defended values that remain central to our country — freedom of speech, freedom of worship, and freedom from fear. We also honour the resilience of those who survived the oppression of war and continue to share their stories with us today. Each November, we pause not just in silence but in gratitude.

We share the stories of military personnel and survivors so future generations understand the cost of war and the gift of peace. The Canadians who served remind us that liberty is never free, and that remembrance is both our duty and our promise. It is our responsibility to honour their courage, share their stories, and promise future generations we will never forget. Aspira is proud to care and have cared for these brave residents. Below are some of these residents and their stories.

Aileen Frydrych
Aileen’s story is one of both loss and strength. From hiding during Nazi invasions to rebuilding her life in Canada. Surviving the Holocaust as a child, she created a future across the Atlantic filled with family, perseverance, and pride. 

John Kuharski
John was just 20 when he entered a world at war, taking on dangerous missions that kept Canadian tanks moving through Europe. He recalled the chaos of Normandy, the pain of separation from his family, and the relief of returning home.  

Paula Goldhar
Paula, who at 14 endured ghettos, forced labour, and devastating loss during the Holocaust, embodies resilience and hope. Her survival and courage carried her forward to a new life in Canada. 

André Hissink
André’s life was shaped by war and resilience. Drafted in 1939, he survived the German invasion of Holland, perilous flights with the Dutch Naval Airforce, and a crash that claimed a crewmate. After the war he was honoured with multiple military medals and finally settled in Canada. 

Rose Mandelbaum
Rose endured ghettos, camps, and unimaginable loss in wartime Lithuania, surviving with toughness and her father’s guiding spirit. After liberation, she built a new life in Canada with her husband Harry, raising a family that became her greatest source of strength. 

Bill Robertson
Age 23, Bill parachuted into Nazi-occupied Belgium after his bomber was shot down and survived four months in hiding with a Belgian family. Reunited with his squadron and later sent home, he built a new life, marrying and raising four children.