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You are here: Home / Life / Remembrance Day Stories: My Grandfathers Who Served

Remembrance Day Stories: My Grandfathers Who Served

November 11, 2021 By Kari 2 Comments

On this Remembrance Day, I’m sharing stories of my two grandfathers who served, along with some great suggestions from parents on how to talk with little ones about Remembrance Day. I would love any family stories you have. Just pop them in the comment section below.

Let’s all take a moment at 11:00 a.m (and throughout the whole day today) to remember and stand in honour of the Canadian women and men who have served and continue to serve for our freedom.

remembrance day stories-1Remembrance Day Stories: My Grandfathers

My Grandpa Orville Kenneth Skelton (dad’s dad) went to war at the age of 30 and served three years as a Sergeant with the First Canadian Paratroopers. One of the most dangerous missions in war -dropping into combat not really knowing what was below.

That is pretty much all we know of Grandpa Skelton’s experience during that time as he almost never liked to discuss it. Too painful to relive.

remembrance day stories-2My Pa – Lawrence Derlago (mom’s dad) fought on the front lines for three years, starting at the age of 19. He was helping a family in Holland one day and they gave him some eggs to say ‘thanks’. When he was making his way back to the trench when enemy fire broke out. He was hit and thought he wasn’t going to make it because he could feel what he thought was blood running down his face. Thankfully, it wasn’t blood, but the eggs he had put under his helmet to carry home.

Pa spoke many languages: Ukrainian, Czech, Polish, and Russian. He also spoke Dutch and German, which we think he learned during the war.

I’m proud of both of my grandfathers and all the men and women who have fought for our freedom and sacrificed for our country. Thank you!

remembrance day stories-3How To Talk With Your Kids About Remembrance Day

We had another great chat yesterday on Instagram Stories about how to talk with little kids about Remembrance Day. Definitely check out these resources from Veterans Affairs Canada. It breaks it down into age groups, which is super helpful.

Here are some suggestions that came in from parents.

  • “Our kids and two and four so we stick to talking about the Poppy and are planning to do a Poppy craft.” ~Alie (Click here for a poppy craft you can do with your kids.)
  • “I try to steer clear of saying anything about fighting and war and stick to honouring people who help keep Canada safe.” ~Megan
  • “We don’t sugarcoat anything. Some of it they’ll understand and some they won’t, but we talk openly about the war and the sacrifices. Our kids are 7 and 10.” ~Amy
  • “We go to the legion every year in Fort Assiniboine. They do a great job of explaining it.” ~Jamie
  • “We watch some videos on YouTube and read the kids book A Poppy To Remember.”~Shalainem
  • “Books! I love a story that lays a foundation for a good discussion.”. ~Joclyn
  • “My kids are six and four. I share pictures of all their ancestors who served.” ~Kate
  • “Symbolism mainly. The poppy reminds us of soldiers who kept and continue to keep us safe.” ~Nicole

remembrance day stories-4

xx

 

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Filed Under: Life

Comments

  1. Jacqui says

    November 11, 2021 at 7:22 am

    My parents couldn’t participate in the war. Dad was the eldest and had to stay home to look after the farm; his father only had one leg. His three brothers did go to war. My Mom was a teacher so did her part by staying at home to teach. I’m very proud of them both.

    Reply
    • Kari says

      November 11, 2021 at 8:35 am

      Amazing! Those who had to stay home contributed in big ways too. <3

      Reply

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These are our community members - Our 9-1-1 dispatchers, library staff, fitness teachers, 311 reps and so many more who keep our city running. 

Email your City Councillor to show your support. Find a template to do so in my Stories right now or just go to edmontonforeveryone.ca!

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You know what drains a kid's emotional cup - being overscheduled. We've lived it and I'm here to say it's SO MUCH BETTER on the other side.

📍Last year, our goal was to give our oldest (now 8) every opportunity to try things to figure out what he loved. His schedule was packed with activities (I realize this is a privileged point). We were running - sometimes literally - from school to activity every night of the week and on weekends.

📍Fast-forward to this year - he has so much more time to just be a kid and we're all happier! He's picked a couple of things he's passionate about, but we've cut so much out and now most of our after-school time is open. Maybe we'll run an errand, maybe we'll come home and hang out, maybe we'll play at the park with friends and get ice cream. 

✨️ If one day he decides he wants to pour more time into one of his passions - we support that, but for now this is it and it's awesome! 

➡️ Have you lived this? How do you balance wanting to expose your kid to different activities so they find what they love with wanting your kids to just be a kid? Share below.

this video ⬆️ is from @fairmontjpl's Lac Beauvert. On every summer visit, Wyatt and I have a tradition of renting a kayak from The Boathouse and cruising the lake. 

❤️ Follow @kariskelton for more motherhood moments and helpful Reels to make your journey a little easier and even more enjoyable. Send me a DM to say hi. 

#parentingjourney #overshedulingkids #letkidsbekids
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Wait for it and read this ⤵️ …but first - S Wait for it and read this ⤵️

…but first - SAVE this so you can come back to it later. Below you’ll find the important reason I’m sharing this. 🫶

✨️Post your hot tips for saving cash in the comments ⤵️ so we can all help each other. Here’s a few of mine:

1️⃣ Make sure your bank cards are giving you something back. Do some digging and find out what your debit and credit cards get you. Example: I have a Scene debit card which earns me free movies (and snacks at the theatre) for us and the kids. 

2️⃣ Check your favourite brand’s tagged posts on Instagram. When you’re looking to make a new purchase always check here first! It’s where you’ll find partnership posts from Creators you may not follow who have a discount code you can use with that brand (Of course, if you do use the code - thank the Creator with a ‘follow’ and/or share.)

3️⃣ FREE CHILDCARE at City Rec Facilities. Now, this may depend on where you live but it doesn’t hurt to check. Where we’re at in Edmonton, Canada, four City of Edmonton rec facilities offer free childcare with your rec pass for up to two hours (you must stay in the building). I used to do this with our oldest and pop over to a quiet area and work. You could also do this to get a workout in or meet a friend for coffee without having to spend on childcare. 

4️⃣ Library books - as much as we love treating ourselves to a new book,these are FREE and it's a fun experience with your kid

5️⃣ Shop online where you can. This will help you stick to your list and budget and not get thrown off by all the shiny things. 

➡️ I’m sharing this to shine the spotlight on @civicserviceunion52 - a union representing over 6,000 city workers - 83% of whom haven’t seen a pay raise since 2018! That’s bonkers. Factor in inflation - that’s a pay cut. It’s just not fair, AND there’s something you can do about it. 

These are our community members - Our 9-1-1 dispatchers, library staff, fitness teachers, 311 reps and so many more who keep our city running. 

Email your City Councillor to show your support. Find a template to do so in my Stories right now or just go to edmontonforeveryone.ca!

#sponsored #budgetingtips #frugalfamily #CSU52 #moneysavinghacks
Who can we call to get these lyrics changed? 😄 Who can we call to get these lyrics changed? 😄 ... but seriously? 

Actually listened to the lyrics while Miss. Rachel was on.🙈 Side note- i love her.

 What else needs changing? ⬇️
#motherhoodjourney #wheelsonthebus #1950scalled
Feel this? ⬆️ Share if you do. ❤️ You kno Feel this? ⬆️ Share if you do. ❤️

You know what drains a kid's emotional cup - being overscheduled. We've lived it and I'm here to say it's SO MUCH BETTER on the other side.

📍Last year, our goal was to give our oldest (now 8) every opportunity to try things to figure out what he loved. His schedule was packed with activities (I realize this is a privileged point). We were running - sometimes literally - from school to activity every night of the week and on weekends.

📍Fast-forward to this year - he has so much more time to just be a kid and we're all happier! He's picked a couple of things he's passionate about, but we've cut so much out and now most of our after-school time is open. Maybe we'll run an errand, maybe we'll come home and hang out, maybe we'll play at the park with friends and get ice cream. 

✨️ If one day he decides he wants to pour more time into one of his passions - we support that, but for now this is it and it's awesome! 

➡️ Have you lived this? How do you balance wanting to expose your kid to different activities so they find what they love with wanting your kids to just be a kid? Share below.

this video ⬆️ is from @fairmontjpl's Lac Beauvert. On every summer visit, Wyatt and I have a tradition of renting a kayak from The Boathouse and cruising the lake. 

❤️ Follow @kariskelton for more motherhood moments and helpful Reels to make your journey a little easier and even more enjoyable. Send me a DM to say hi. 

#parentingjourney #overshedulingkids #letkidsbekids
This ⬆️ make you want to be a better parent? M This ⬆️ make you want to be a better parent? Makes me want to be a better human. ✨️✨️

Words by @wordsof_emmaheaphy 

📍Save this to come back to and share with your friends in motherhood. Be sure to check out my Reel two back on 'Glimmers' - that one has helped me with the tough days.❤️❤️

➡️ Follow @kariskelton for more motherhood moments and helpful Reels to make your journey a little easier and even more enjoyable. Send me a DM to say hi. 👋

#motherhoodjourney #momquote #parentingquotes
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