The Great Escape: A Canadian Story has received its first recognition in the United States. In late August 2014, members of the Stalag Luft III Prisoners of War Association in the U.S. presented Ted Barris with a “Certificate of Honor” for his work on publishing the historical account of the famous 1944 breakout in the Second World War.
Barris delivered the keynote at the association’s annual reunion, this year in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Then, during the reunion’s formal banquet – featuring the parading of the colours, the lighting of candles in honour of the fallen, and recognition of service to the veterans – the U.S. reunion co-chairs Marilyn Walton and Mike Eberhardt (both the offspring of former Stalag Luft III POWs) presented Certificates of Honor for what the association called service above and beyond.
They recognized five civilians, including: Mary Elizabeth Ruwell, an archivist at the U.S. Air Force Academy; Ben van Drogenbroek, a Dutch researcher; Val Burgess, an American oral historian; Marek Lazarz, the director of the Stalag Luft III Museum in Poland; and a Canadian author/historian whose writing, they said, has brought valuable attention to the Stalag Luft III story… Ted Barris. They handed recipients only copies of the certificate, because the originals will be housed permanently at the U.S. Air Force Academy archives in Colorado Springs.
Ted, I was back east in Uxbridge recently…are you still there? I look forward to your Great Escape book, will read shortly, if you are out west on a book signing or other events, let me know
Hello,
I am the daughter of Ron E MacDonald (son of Walter James MacDonald – died WWII torpedo off of Bell Island Canada. I recently lost my father 84. He lost his dad when he was 15 and he had to work to support his mum and sister.
How can I find out more about your book covering this time period?
Thank you,
Theresa
Hi Ted,
I am once again touched by your fond memories of my dear Dad, Mike Malott! Thank you for sharing them and for keeping his spirit and inspiration alive 🙂
Sarah
I am sitting in the dining room of my son’s home, across the fence from Ted’s home in Uxbridge, ON, just realizing who he is. As a Viet Nam vet from the US, Ted’s work interests me a great deal. I am going to insure that some close friends of mine know about his website. Thank you, Ted.
Dave Lewis
Dear Ted…
I will be picking up a copy of your Great Escape book tomorrow at my bookstore. Looking forward to reading it. WWII stories are of great interest to me, as I was around tn those days.
By the way, regarding your comments on the Town Tavern in Toronto: On my return to Canada in April 1952 from a winter in California, friends of mine in Toronto took me out for an unforgettable night at the Town Tavern and I was wondering if that is still there at Queen and Yonge. I would like to revisit next time in the city. Many thanks.
Ted, my father was a POWin Stalag III. He has drafted his memoires and wants to add pictures from your publication “The Longest Mission”. He is 97 and wants to capture what he experienced as a POW. Your pictures are great. Can you help?
At his age, it urgent to get your help!
How can we properly add some of your pictures to his memoires?
Steve Hicks
615-269-7411
sb.hicks@Comcast.net