to move up and down
Japanese government apologizes to Canada’s World War II POWs
The Japanese government apologized Thursday for the mistreatment of captured Canadian soldiers during the Second World War.
Veterans Affairs Minister Steven Blaney acknowledged the apology while leading a delegation of veterans to Japan. It was delivered by Toshiyuki Kato, Japan’s parliamentary vice-minister for foreign affairs.
“This important gesture is a crucial step in ongoing reconciliation and a significant milestone in the lives of all prisoners of war. It acknowledges their suffering while honouring their sacrifices and courage,” Mr. Blaney said in a statement. (Photo: National Archives of Canada)
Photos of the day
Veterans attend Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge to observe a two minute silence as a mark of respect for the war dead on November 11, 2011 in Spean Bridge, Scotland. Armistice Day traditionally marks the end of the WWI when Germany and the allied forces signed the armistice signaling the end of hostilities on the Western Front. The cessation of the war officially took effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month and is marked annually by services of remembrance for all those who have fallen in wars and a two minute silence. (Photo: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
No tanks, guns or Remembrance Day Symposium for Ottawa school
For the past 19 years, students at an Ottawa high school have hoisted 10-pound military rifles to feel what it may be like to lug one around in the muddy trenches. They’ve met veterans and heard their stories, learning how their families were affected and what it was like to fight so far from home.
But this year — the year that was supposed to mark the 20th Remembrance Day Symposium at Notre Dame High School — they will get no such chance.
The traditional school event, scheduled for Nov. 10, has been cancelled because of a school committee decision to ensure there were “no tanks or guns” at the event, its co-ordinator told participants in an email last Friday.
History teacher Gene Michaud said he resigned when the committee of school staff decided there cannot be any kind of weaponry at the school — including military replica guns, disabled firearms or military vehicles. (Rod Macivor/Postmedia News)
Photos of the Day
World War Two Veteran Victor Billett stands at attention during the 67th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy commemoration at Nathan Phillips Square, June 06, 2011 in Toronto. (Brett Gundlock/National Post)
Last First World War combat veteran dies at 110
British-born Claude Choules, 110, believed to be the last First World War combat veteran, died in his sleep in an Australian nursing home overnight, his family said on Thursday.
“He always said that the old men make the decisions that send the young men into war,” said his son Adrian Choules. “He used to say, if it was the other way around, and the old… were off fighting, then there would never be any wars,” Adrian Choules told local media.
Choules was born in 1901 and signed up with the British Navy for the Great War at just 15 years of age. (Photo: Australian Department of Defence/Reuters)
Wounded warriors: Life will never be the same
In remarkably candid interviews from a veterans hospital in Richmond, Virginia, three U.S. Marines tell National Post graphics editor and illustrator Richard Johnson about coming under fire in Afghanistan, and the long road to recovery.
“Interaction with Afghans was pretty often, but you hate them — the people know who the Taliban are, but because they fear them so much they don’t say anything. I have been shot at multiple times and every time I never saw anybody and the villagers said they didn’t see anybody either. They do nothing but lie.”
