Posts with the U.S. Civil War tag

Barris Beat

Debate: the ultimate litmus test

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The looming 2024 presidential debate between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Philadelphia Inquirer.

After accepting the Republican party’s nomination as vice-presidential running-mate to Donald Trump, last week, James David Vance returned to his hometown of Middletown, Ohio. In his first public appearance, the junior senator called President Joe Biden’s dropping out of the race and endorsing Kamala Harris as the Democratic party’s next presidential nominee “a threat to democracy.

“I’m kind of pissed off …” he continued, that he wouldn’t get the chance to debate Ms. Harris leading up to the November election. (more…)

Barris Beat

State of Statues

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Down a country road, stands a stone marker, remembering Canadians in the Great War.

It stands about three feet tall. It looks like a stone pedestal, but it has no statue on it. It’s not located in an obvious public square or along a busy thoroughfare. It’s a war memorial, but it doesn’t glorify a victory, nor mourn a defeat, even though for Canadians it signifies tremendous loss.

When I’ve taken fellow Canadians there, I’ve always been struck by its simplicity, modesty and basic message. Its only identification is a brass plaque across one side of the pedestal with an inscription:

“Here, 8 May 1915, the ‘Originals’ of Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry, commanded by their founder Maj. A. Hamilton Gault, DSO, held firm and counted not the cost,” is all it says. (more…)

Barris Beat

Beyond the stitches

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Romeo Daley, a Korean War vet, and I met during a talk in Fort Erie, Ont.

He entered the hall a few minutes before the historical society began its monthly meeting. With a service dog at his side, he made his way to the last row of chairs and quietly sat down. His chocolate Lab settled beside him, and the meeting began. The chair of the society welcomed everybody, in particular the first-time attendees.

“Welcome to all our regular members,” she said, “and to those here for the first time too.”

I could see that being centred out that way made the man in the back row a bit uncomfortable. But friendly smiles were exchanged between the society chair and the new faces and the atmosphere became relaxed. (more…)