TOTT 16 November 2017.compressed

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November 16, 2017
OPINION
Ke e p i n g
memor y
alive
IT WAS an encouraging sight to have a
full house at the Port Alfred Moth hall
for the Remembrance Day parade on
S u n d ay.
It was one of the best-attended such
gatherings I have seen in the last 10
years, as they usually draw only a dozen
or so veterans and their wives, as well as
a few other old souls for whom occasions
like this are important.
They are occasions to remember not
only the fallen in two world wars and
other conflicts since then, but those who
came back from war, grew old and died in
peace – the ranks of their friends ever
thinning.
I remember attending a Remembrance
Day parade in Pretoria 25 years ago,
when there were still a few veterans of
World War 1 around, their hair grey and
white, and their bodies thin and frail, but
still standing at attention as they
honoured the solemnity of the service
and wore their memories on their faces.
It struck me that soon after that the
direct memory of that conflict by living
survivors would be gone, and what a loss
that would be for the world.
A few years ago there were still a few
World War 2 veterans among the old
soldiers at the various commemoration
ceremonies held by the Moths, SA Legion
and SA Air Force Association – both at
the Moth hall and 43 Air School – but
they too have passed on.
Moths members have lamented
previously how their members are few,
with no younger military veterans joining
their ranks. One day they will be gone,
and who will remember then?
I had a grandfather who fought in
World War 1 at the age of 16, lying about
his age as many young men did because
they felt the call to serve their country
and the commonwealth against a
powerful aggressor.
Though he did not speak in any
personal detail about his wartime
experiences, and I was too young to
appreciate it anyway at the time he died,
the memory of that was passed on to me
by my mother, who always was quietly
emotional during the Remembrance Day
services she attended with me.
What a precious thing to be able to
pass on to your children – that they can
inherit at least a portion of your memories
and care about what you cared about.
T h at ’s why it was good to see the
mixture of generations at this most recent
parade – the support of families and
friends to keep the memory alive. We will
remember them.
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Tide Guide
Kind courtesy-SA Navy
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Jon Houzet
0818 2048
0849 2117
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1018 2242
1048 2311
1120 2341
1155 –
TIE-DYE FUN: Mandy Birkholtz, left, recently showed the Shaw Park Primary Grade 5s and teacher Eve Clayton how to tie-dye their T-shirts in
beautiful jewel colours
Picture: SHANI STEWART
HAVE YOUR S AY
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CREATIVE TOUCH: Dawn Ewing with her seasonal
creations at Settlers Park craft market last
Saturday
Picture: JON HOUZET
Emergency numbers
Port Alfred hospital – (046) 604-4000
Police station – (046) 604-2001/2
Multi-Security – (046) 624-2508
Chubb Security – (046) 624-4810
Sky Alarms – (046) 624-2806
NSRI – 082-990-5971
Electricity (a/h) - (046) 624-1111
EMS (Emergency Medical Services) – 10177
Gardmed –082-759-2134
Holistic EMS – 063-460-0042
Fire Department – (046) 624-1111
PROUD TO SERVE: Officers at First City Regiment, from left, Captain Mapelo Zweni, Captain
Khayalethu Mona and Captain Vusumzi Tukulu attended the Remembrance Day parade at the Port
Alfred Moth hall on Sunday and laid a wreath on behalf of their regiment Picture: JON HOUZET
Big thank you from PAHS archers
ON BEHALF of the Port Alfred High School
Archery Club, I would like to extend a sincere
thank you to our community for supporting the
recent raffle run by our archers.
Funds raised helped cover the costs of
attending the 2017 NASP National Tournament
in Uitenhage earlier this year.
Congratulations to raffle winners Johanna
van der Merwe – Umgwenya Boat Cruise (third
prize); Jacques Lategan – Oceana Beach and
Child Welfare needs ‘go odies’ for market
ON of Child Welfare, Port
Alfred, I would like to extend
our thanks to the people of the
town, as well as those from
outside town, who have
assisted and always supported
the organisation.
However, although this
year’s raffle was an
overwhelming success in
generating much-needed
funds, we have decided that
early next year we will be
holding a morning market.
We are asking for “goodies”
for our stalls. If you have any
clothes, household items or
electrical appliances in good
working order, we would be
pleased to accept them for our
white elephant and tombola
stalls. Please drop them off at
the Child Welfare offices at the
Wildlife Reserve voucher (second prize) and
Richard Legg – whole lamb (first prize).
Archery is growing in popularity in our town.
Whether enjoyed socially or competitively, the
sport requires precision, control, focus, physical
strength and determination. These are
attributes we encourage at PAHS and your
involvement in sponsoring a prize or buying a
ticket, is truly appreciated.
JOHN TWEEDIE, CLUB CO-ORDINATOR
old station building, or call me,
Heather on 083-267-0010 or
Susan Harty on (046)6 2 4 - 57 9 3
during office hours.
Once again, the staff at Child
Welfare and especially the
children, thank you for your
generosity in the past and look
forward to a great morning
m a r ke t .
HEATHER LEICHER