Oral Histories

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Vancouver - Mulgrave School Veteran Experiences

Svend Hansen	"At the Memory Project I was lucky enough to be able to talk to Svend Hansen and ask him some questions. I saw pictures of him and some of his friends and I also got to see some of his certificates. I found them very cool to look at. After talking to Svend Hansen I realize more about what he did for our country and appreciate it more." (Lindsay Marks)

Jim Clarke	"Jim Clarke brought shrapnel with him when he came to visit. He explained that he had been injured with shrapnel. I felt really devastated when I heard that most veterans got wounded and some of them never returned home. It changed their lives forever." (Sameena Kamdar)

Wallace Beck	"I thought Mr. Beck was a kind guy. He didn't sounds like he regretted anything at all. He answered my questions about injuries without hesitating to talk a bit. I would like to learn more about some of the pictures he brought." (Daniel Newell) Read Wallace Beck's Story

Mel Smith	"Mel Smith served in England and North Africa. Young people should know that veterans sacrificed their lives for our freedom. I thank them for sharing their knowledge with our school." (Braden DeCicco)

Fred Mullen	"Mr. Mullen would like children to know about the sacrifices the soldiers made to save their country from Hitler, and how young they were when their friends died in honour of their country. They lost their lives fighting for our freedom." (Michaela Hughes)

Daniel Lee	"When I asked Daniel Lee about the sacrifices the veterans made, he said that he suffered many losses (friends, family and battles), that they brought a better world to today's society, they brought peace to the world and that they stopped the conflict." (Rufina Ip)

Mary Hokonson	"Mary Hokonson served from 1942 to 1946 in Canada, England, Poland and Germany. She said that the of the sacrifices of veterans changed lives. I thought that Mary Hokonson was interesting and I think that other children will like to hear what she has to say." (Michaela Hughes)

Other comments: All the veterans were very open in telling their life story. I think that this openness came from being inside the Roadshow. I say that what the Roadshow is doing is a great thing and they should keep on doing it. (Graham Brown) The Memory Project is a great idea, because it is very important to keep the memory of these people who are very special to our country alive. It is an excellent way for children like me to learn about these conflicts that the veterans served. (Michaela Hughes) I thought it was cool that each veteran has their individual story, and their own way of telling it. During the whole time I was thinking, "Wow, how many children in Canada have the chance to meet such great people!" (Dylan Hogan)