WATCH: It’s not every day that heroes are recognized. But recently, two war veterans, both ninety-seven, were lauded for their efforts and achievements during the Second World War. Aaron Guillen has the story.
Army boots are much more than a simple pair of shoes.
For many, they signify the soldiers that left their loved ones to go to war overseas — a moment few have lived to tell.
At the start of the Second World War, Alice Adams was an elementary teacher in rural Saskatchewan.
But the moment she saw a recruitment ad, she knew she had a greater calling.
She soon was copying enemy naval traffic and tracking the location of U-boats at top-secret wireless stations in Ottawa, Moncton and Victoria.
“I think it’s absolutely amazing. I think it’s a wonderful thing that the school children are here,” says the 97-year-old veteran.
“I think that’s the most important part of it. To learn more of their history, [because] you’ll repeat it if you don’t know it.”
But Adams isn’t the only one being honoured.
Trevor Shuckburgh was a 17-year-old farm boy from Alberta when he joined the Royal Canadian Navy.
His first posting at sea intercepted two German ships off the coast of South America.
Later on, he was given a Commander-in-Chief award for saving his ship from sinking during a torpedo attack.
“To hold these people here in this cold burly wind is miraculous,” jokes the retired commander.
“It’s all very meaningful and I think it’s all well done.”
Both veterans are being celebrated as Hometown Heroes, in the presence of military personnel and nearly 500 students.
“It’s such a touching moment to build live connections between young children who are learning about the history and our veterans and local heroes who are that history,” says Michelle Holmes, site and visitor manager for Parks Canada.
“It keeps the story going through.”
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