Every year Canadians gather and bow their heads in silence for two minutes on Nov. 11 to honour and remember those who have fought for the country.
But for Gene Sheplawy, one day of remembering isnB次元官网网址檛 enough.
Sheplawy had a 30-year career in the Royal Canadian Navy and now lives in Colwood with his wife of 63 years, Anne.
He has a long beard and speaks decisively about his time in the Navy, reading through a sheet that details his many years of service.
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B次元官网网址淚 was on 10 ships and two submarines in my brilliant career,B次元官网网址� Sheplawy said.
Originally from Edmonton, Sheplawy said he joined the Navy when he was 18 years old because he was in need of work.
It was the year 1949 and Sheplawy walked by a sign that read B次元官网网址淛oin the Navy, see the worldB次元官网网址�. He said he picked up the papers, filled them out and went through with it.
B次元官网网址淭hatB次元官网网址檚 how I joined the Navy,B次元官网网址� Sheplawy said.
He first went to Nova Scotia for training and then moved out to Greater Victoria to take a cookB次元官网网址檚 course. After a few months, Sheplawy was sent to his first ship B次元官网网址� a minesweeper with a crew of about 50.
As time went on, Sheplawy moved to different ships and submarines and got married along the way. Victoria was his home base.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been up and down the West Coast,B次元官网网址� Sheplawy said.
Sheplawy also volunteered to serve in the Korean War and made journeys via submarine in Australia.
Towards the end of his career Sheplawy went to Colombia on what he remembers to be a very good ship.
B次元官网网址淚t was the second-best shipB次元官网网址 was on there for two years,B次元官网网址� Sheplawy said. B次元官网网址淚t was a darned good ship. Good crew, good captain, everything.B次元官网网址�
It was on that ship that Sheplawy received a Serviceman of the Year award. He said it was a real honour to receive it and still has a photograph and a write-up from when he was given the award.
Sheplawy said he was 15 years old when the Second World War ended. He said he had five uncles in the war and his wife had two brothers in the war, one of whom was killed.
He said he participates in the Royal Canadian LegionB次元官网网址檚 Poppy Campaign every year with the exception of this year and last due to a knee surgery he had.
B次元官网网址淚 believe in the Legion and what they do for people,B次元官网网址� Sheplawy said.
Sheplawy gets teary-eyed thinking about the many people who have sacrificed their lives for the country. He said their sacrifices mean a lot to him.
B次元官网网址淔or so many people [remembrance] is a one-day affair,B次元官网网址� Sheplawy said. B次元官网网址淥ne day and itB次元官网网址檚 forgottenB次元官网网址ut thatB次元官网网址檚 the way life goes.B次元官网网址�
shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com
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