Ninety-three year-old Gilmore Gardens resident and Second World War veteran Jim Gray shudders to think what the world will become for his great grandchildren.
And that was a day before businessman and reality-TV star Donald Trump became president-elect of the United States.
Among Gray and his neighbours — who comprise the “Greatest Generation” — Trump’s cavalier attitude toward military expansion, his fever pitch for more policing, his dismissal of human rights and disparaging comments towards minority groups and women, are not things that are shared with enthusiasm.
Nevertheless, Trump sure has them talking this week, which also happens to coincide with Remembrance Day.
To mark the special day at the independent living facility for seniors, Gilmore Gardens’ caretakers have set up a table in the lobby for residents to share the likes of family photos, books, poems and other memorabilia related to past wars.
“To see and read their stories helps us remember and recognize those who served and sacrificed,” said Gardens marketing manager Lisa Welbourn.
“It gives us insight into their young, naïve, and brave lives — those who fought for our peace and freedom. This gives us hope that all they fought for holds true.”
In the lounge, the Richmond News sat at a table with Scotland-born Gray, who loaded ammunition for the Royal Air Force. Joining Gray to reminisce about the war were Stan Primiani, 92, a veteran of the Royal Canadian Navy and Betty Lefroy, 93, who, each Remembrance Day, recalls the efforts of her now late husband Tony Lefroy, who also served in the navy.
Tony died six years ago.
“That’s life,” said Betty, whose eyes glistened when she recalled meeting her husband and the scary times when he set off for the navy, from Edmonton.
Like Betty’s husband, Gray didn’t want to go into the army, so he asked to go into the air force instead and became an armourer.
“I looked after any rifle, guns, small canons — maybe 20 mm — that shot out of planes,” said Gray.
At age 17, Primiani avoided the army, too.
“I wanted to join the navy. Either you come back in one piece or you don’t come back at all. So, there was that kind of mentality,” he said.
Primiani went into remarkable detail about the time he spent at sea on the HMCS Stadacona.
“Boy, that was a tough thing when that North Sea was rough,” he said.
“But I don’t want to go into all of it because sometimes it’s not pleasant,” said Primiani.
Decades after fighting Nazis, the three were asked about the present state of global affairs.
“I can’t believe so many Americans can think Donald Trump is worthy of anything. I think he is a despicable man,” said Lefroy.
But Primiani was less emotional and more explanatory about the situation.
“I’m not for him or for (Clinton), but you can see the mentality (Trump) has in business. . . A lot of the men can think that way,” he said.
“One thing people can see is, he’s an honest man. He’s not a typical politician,” added Primiani.
“He’s not honest,” interjected Lefroy.
Gray chuckled at the devolving conversation and was asked if the war was worth it.
“There was hope then, after WWII, for a while; then things went downhill,” he said.
And its legacy?
“I think it’s still strong in places like Britain and Canada. Elsewhere, I’m not so sure of,” he said.
