Koby Kobialko and Clancy Keoughan are counting down to Remembrance Day.
B次元官网网址淲e are stopping and thinking about people who never came back and those who did,B次元官网网址� said Keoughan. B次元官网网址淲e are taking the time in a quiet dignified way.B次元官网网址�
Keoughan, has spent time in schools at Remembrance Day events and in the community. His most memorable Nov. 11 was in Wetaskiwin, Alta. in 2007. He was there training for a tour in Afghanistan.
He travelled on a bus with other military personnel to all the senior centres in the town to visit veterans who couldnB次元官网网址檛 get to community gatherings.
B次元官网网址淭hey had such big smiles on their faces,B次元官网网址� Keoughan said as his eyes lit up. B次元官网网址淭hey live in one room and some of their most prized possessions were their metals.B次元官网网址�
This year Keoughan will spend Remembrance Day at the Legion in Langford.
B次元官网网址淚 always go and sit with the older gentlemen, sometimes (Nov. 11) is the first time people really listen to them,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 know someday IB次元官网网址檒l be one of those gentlemen.B次元官网网址�
For Keoughan it doesnB次元官网网址檛 matter where you stop and remember, itB次元官网网址檚 just important that you do.
A sentiment echoed by Kobialko.
B次元官网网址淲e are here to remember those that lost their lives for our freedom and the heros that are still in our military and protect our freedom,B次元官网网址� said Kobialko.
Freedom is a strong word for Kobialko, one that can cause him to tear up on occasion.
In 1990 he was in Holland at the 45th Anniversary of Liberation of Holland ceremony. As he stood with the Honour Guard, two girls, 11 and six, put a handmade flower in his riffle. The flower had a small note attached.
B次元官网网址淚t said, B次元官网网址楾hank you for our freedom,B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址� Kobialko said wiping at tears. Ever since that day Kobialko has carried that flower and note with him when heB次元官网网址檚 in uniform.
Kobialko, 63, counted down to his 18th birthday so he could join the military.
B次元官网网址淚 could have joined when I was 17 with my fatherB次元官网网址檚 permission, but I wanted to do it on my own,B次元官网网址� Kobialko said.
He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1967 in Ottawa. For the next 18 years he was posted all across Canada spanning from Quebec to Haida Gwaii.
He travelled to Cyprus in 1983 as a peace keeper with the United Nations and served with NATO in Germany from 1986 to 1990.
He retired in 1992 as a warrant officer and is still active with the Colour Guard and as treasurer with the .
Sooke resident Keoughan, 47, has also dedicated his life to the military.
He joined in 1983 straight out of high school in New Brunswick.
B次元官网网址淚 have been posted all over the country,B次元官网网址� he said adding he toured in Croatia, Bosnia and most recently Afganistan in 2008.
He is scheduled to retire in February and then become a student at the University of
Victoria studying Environmental Occupational Health and Safety.
n Metchosin: 10:45 a.m. Scouts and Girl Guides of Canada march from the Metchosin fire hall to the cenotaph at St. Mary the Virgin Church, 4354 Metchosin Rd.
n Langford: 10:35 a.m., Parade from Langford Legion to Veterans Memorial Park, Veterans Memorial Parkway and Goldstream Avenue.
n Send us your Remembrance Day photos to share with our readers online and in print. Email editor@goldstreamgazette.com.
