Jerold Birstein's Story 1943 to 1946 War Years

 #R284533    ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE      

Jerold Birstein’s Own Story 

A day after my 18th birthday, October 18,1943, I left school to join the RCAF. I went to Edmonton for basic training. After spending three months there, I returned to Regina to take a refresher grade twelve course.

When I finished the course I was sent to Yorkton for several months. Morris Schumiatcher and Les Benjamin were also training at the same time. Les and I were together for the next three and half years. Les and I did many things together, like playing bridge in the wash rooms on many nights after the lights were out.

I went to Winnipeg for a few more months before I was discharged on January 24,1945. Fellow service men and I were given our discharge papers in one hand and our Army call papers in the other.

I had one month to make up my mind. During that month I went to Chicago to hear the “Big Bands” concerts.” 

 #111359 CANADIAN ARMY

I joined the Army on February 28,1945 and went to Winnipeg and then to Camp Shilo, near Brandon, Manitoba to the Canadian Artillery Training Centre. 

Jerold pressing uniform 

There were a group of German Prisoners of War. I had to supervise them while they worked on road building. I was the truck driver and transported the prisoners to the work sight.  I found them to be young and very friendly. They never talked about the war or of Germany. The cook of the camp was from the German ship “Bremar” After the war they were sent back to Germany.

German Prisons from Bremar

I also drove the Army gun tractors that pulled the canons. While I was in the services for three and a half years, I thought I would never see civilian life again.  

I was discharged on May 9,1946.

Story written in 1990. Jerold passed away in 1999 at the age of 74 

In Remembrance of Queen Elizabeth II

My remembrance of Queen Elizabeth II goes back to when she became Queen in 1952. Quote from my biography  "Notes and Clippings, It all Started in Saskatchewan" , 'We were given the day off school for the Coronation Day of Queen Elizabeth II on June 2, 1953. It was a big affair in England as well as in every small town in Saskatchewan. On this occasion the Gallivan school children were bused to North Battleford to attend a parade.' 

In May 2005 Queen Elizabeth II visited Regina, Saskatchewan. She was very dignified in handling the very cool rainy day. 

The Regina Council Of Women were invited to attend. We were seated to observe the festivities that took place in front of the Parliament Buildings.

A Jubilee Wedding Anniversary Celebration

 A Jubilee Anniversary Celebration    

Now-a-days it is very seldom that we get together at a table to enjoy a meal without the cell phone or TV on.

This year instead of going out  we decided to stay home to celebrated our 17th Wedding Anniversary,  making it a “Jubilee Meal”.

I remember my Mother telling us when she was young  how her mother put on a “Jubilee Meal”.

Quote from “ Hughenna’s Story”, my mother’s story.

“My mother always taught us during the long winter holiday. This kept us out of mischief and helped us to be well up in our schoolwork. She had a wonderful system of getting us to earn one hundred marks a day. When we reached one thousand marks we had a “Jubilee”. That consisted of a holiday and a special meal with some special treat on the table. Alain white cake with apple frosting was a feast. She set the table with the nicest dishes and a pink tablecloth. Just we children ate at the table, which was made small for the occasion; the pink cloth didn’t fit a big table. Those were happy days, how little it takes to make one happy”

Randal and Lorraine's Wedding Anniversary Meal Celebration

All electronics turned off.

Table set with place mats, decorated with an artificial red rose and bottle of Mateus wine. 

Menu consisted of:  Chicken Cordon Bleu made from prepared frozen chicken patties, fresh garden vegetables, cucumber and tomato slices 

For the first time in ages, we sat across from each other, talked and  ate as slow as we could, taking less than 20 minutes! 

It was a special event and how little things make us happy! 

Kayla And Arturo

My heart is full of joy! I am very blessed with what my family brings. Each and everyone of them brings love, light and energy through their creativity. 

One milestone we celebrated was honouring the marriage of my granddaughter, Kayla, to Arturo.  We, the Canadian family, were not able to join them in North Carolina, so, we went with the times, on ZOOM  We wishes them many years of fulfilment and happiness.

On May 14th 2022 they joined with their  US family and friends at Ecovillage of Earthaven, Black Mountain, NC

Partied out!!! 

Kayla and Arturo's Home 

Full Circle Family Farm, Black Mountain NC 

Mother's Day Special Visit

 

I am truly grateful for the visit with my daughter, Lynne and her husband, Kerry, from Calgary. 

It was especially wonderful as she gave me a gift on Energy Work, BARS and Reflexology as well as flowers. 

Chanukkah Family Gathering

 

ZOOMS are the only way to get together for the holidays. 

My children live in Alberta, Ontario and North Carolina.

We shared our interests and what we are doing this past year.  

Leon, Geni, Kayla & Arturo; garden- persimmons, sweet potatoes, turmeric; Pottery;  Studies and other jobs. 

Mark and Svava: children and granddaughter; art, garden, flowers, chickens, goats. 

Lynne, Kerry, Kaney & Jeremy , Lexi, Nikki: work, studies, art 

Lorraine, blogging, ZOOM book reading clubs, wellness discussion

Randal,  Photography  

Family Websites 

Lorraine: www.wellnessonwheels11.com Member of the Global Wellness Community 

Lynne & Kerry: www.britanniabodyworks.com Massage Therapy and Energy Work

Svava  www.concessionroadgarden.ca  For in-season flowers, fruit, and small batch produce. 

Lexi: www.lexihilderman.com Art and Sculpture 

It is Written It is Sealed

Do you often experiences an awareness of coincidences?  Or can they be called miracles? Are you left in wonder about the events? I read once that there is no such things as coincidences but just small miracles. 

Over the past few weeks my daughter, Lynne and I have been discussing topics that come to us on a weekly Wellness Gathering ZOOM. We do not plan what topic to discuss before hand, only wait to what comes into our awareness just before the Gathering. 

The last topic was just that. A couple of things happened that inspired me to acknowledge the feeling of a "miracle". 

I happened to listen to a Eckhart Tolle Video Transcending Our Stories  where Eckhart addresses not making someone wrong. That theme lead to discussion  this on Wellness Gathering. 

Added to this theme comes from this week of the Jewish New Year of Rosh Hashana and Yom Kipper.

Question: How can I overcome  seeing the wrongness in me and others? 

Take Away: This is a heavy feeling question and needs a follow-up question. “What is right about this?” 

Solution: 

1) Self Exploration- What do I enjoy? What things are easy for me to let go? What things am I resisting?

2) New Beginnings- Do we really need new beginnings or             can we rest in the fact that blessings are on the way?

3) Connection- What way do I value others in my life? 

My awareness was profound to this event. How can it get any better than that?