A Soldier Died Today
The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92, Gananoque, Ontario
And he sat around the Legion, telling stories of the past
Of a war that he had fought in and the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies; they were heroes, every one.
And tho' sometimes, to his neighbors, his tales became a joke,
All his Legion buddies listened, for they knew whereof he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer for old Bill has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer, for a soldier died today.
He will not be mourned by many, just his children and his wife,
For he lived an ordinary and quite uneventful life.
Held a job and raised a family, quietly going his own way,
And the world won't note his passing, though a soldier died today.
When politicians leave this earth, their bodies lie in state,
While thousands note their passing and proclaim that they were great.
Papers tell their whole life stories, from the time that they were young,
But the passing of a soldier goes unnoticed and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution to the welfare of our land
A guy who breaks his promises and cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow who, in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his Country and offers up his life?
A politician's stipend and the style in which he lives
Are sometimes disproportionate to the service that he gives.
While the ordinary soldier, who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal and perhaps, a pension small.
It's so easy to forget them for it was so long ago,
That the old Bills of our Country went to battle, but we know
It was not the politicians, with their compromise and ploys,
Who won for us the freedom that our Country now enjoys.
Should you find yourself in danger, with your enemies at hand,
Would you want a politician with his ever-shifting stand?
Or would you prefer a soldier, who has sworn to defend
His home, his kin and Country and would fight until the end?
He was just a common soldier and his ranks are growing thin,
But his presence should remind us we may need his like again.
For when countries are in conflict, then we find the soldier's part
Is to clean up all the troubles that the politicians start.
If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.
They shall grow not old
As we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them nor the years condemn,
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
we WILL Remember Them.
Comrade Ray Foster -
Past President Branch 92
1941 - 2022
a Celebration of Life following a Service of Remembrance will be held on 17 December at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 in Gananoque at 11 am
FOSTER, Raymond Sr.
Entered into rest at the Kingston Health Science Centre on Tuesday November 22, 2022. George Raymond Foster Sr. of Lansdowne age 81 years. Beloved husband of the late Betty (Hannah) Foster. Dear father of Ray Jr., daughter-in-law Tracey and the late Diane Payette, loving grandfather of Tim Foster (Lauren Perkins) and great-grandfather of Hannah Rae Foster. Ray is survived by his sisters-in-law Sheila Foster and Dorothy Webster (Wendell) and his brother-in-law Percy Steacy as well as several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Wilfred and Viola (Newell) Foster and his brothers Gordon, Gerald and Wilfred.
A Memorial Service will be held at the Barclay Funeral Home, 1033 Prince Street Lansdowne in the spring. Interment will take place at Union Cemetery. In memory of Ray, donations to The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 92 Building Fund or The Children's Wish Foundation, would be gratefully acknowledged by the family. Messages of condolence may be sent online at www.barclayfuneralhome.com
LTI Deputy Mayor and Veteran Gordon Ohlke
Obituary to follow soon
A statement from the township, posted on its Facebook page, says Ohlke died suddenly Tuesday night.
Ohlke was first elected in 2018 as a councillor representing Ward 2, re-elected in 2022 and selected by his council colleagues to serve as deputy mayor.
He also represented council as a board member with the Leeds and the Thousand Islands Public Library and the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority.
Ohlke is being remembered as someone who took great pride in serving the community.
“He was insightful, kind and considerate,” TLTI officials said in a statement. “Gord will be missed. Council and staff of the Township offer our heartfelt condolences to Gord’s family and friends.”
In a statement, Michael Barrett, the MP for Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, said he was heartbroken by Ohlke’s passing.
