Leonard Birchall Honoured

Frank Misztal · #1 06-07-04, 13:56

The Canadian Air Force's 413 Sqn, based in Greenhill, NS came to Kingston, ON for a change-of-command ceremony and to honour the “Saviour of Ceylon”.

You don't often see someone who has served for over 60 years and has 18 medals to show for it.

Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP) · #2 06-07-04, 14:15

I didn't know he was still alive!

Thanks, Frank, great story! Were you there by chance?

G.

Frank Misztal · #3 06-07-04, 14:30

Unfortunately, I did not attend the parade as I didn't even know it was happening. News really travels around Kingston (usually after the fact). I really would've loved to have met the war hero.

Jon Skagfeld · #4 06-07-04, 16:28

Wow!!! FIVE bars to his CD!!!

Lotsa time in. Some of us have only two or three.

Alex Blair (RIP) · #5 07-07-04, 01:39

Quote:

Originally posted by Frank Misztal
The Canadian Air Force's 413 Sqn, based in Greenhill, NS came to Kingston, ON for a change-of-command ceremony and to honour the “Saviour of Ceylon”.

You don't often see someone who has served for over 60 years and has 18 medals to show for it.

Great story of a true Canadian hero..
I believe that 413 Sqn.
Is stationed in Greenwood NS not Greenhill NS as stated in the article..
Again ..great story of Len Birchall..
Alex Blair.
Ex RCAF.....(Sigh)

Frank Misztal · #6 07-07-04, 01:55

Quote:

Originally posted by Alex Blair
Great story of a true Canadian hero..
I believe that 413 Sqn.
Is stationed in Greenwood NS not Greenhill NS as stated in the article..
Again ..great story of Len Birchall..
Alex Blair.
Ex RCAF.....(Sigh)

Of course the Sqn is from Greenwood NS. I didn't think it was right when I read it (while knowing the track record on accuracy of Kingston's paper), but typed it wrong anyways.

The old grey matter seems to be degrading with age.

Trying to preserve it with

doesn't seem to be helping.

#7 07-07-04, 08:38

Quote:

Originally posted by Alex Blair
Alex Blair.
Ex RCAF.....(Sigh)

Why the "sigh" Alex???

?

Carman

#8 07-07-04, 08:42

Quote:

Originally posted by Frank Misztal
The old grey matter seems to be degrading with age.
Trying to preserve it with doesn't seem to be helping.

Try ginko biloba mixed with viagra. You'll remember, and you'll dance with what you remember

Jon Skagfeld · #9 07-07-04, 08:53

Quote:

Originally posted by V_D
Why the "sigh" Alex??? ?

Carman

Carman...the "sigh" is in remembrance of RCAF lifestyle.

If you were never "in", you simply wouldn't understand. You had to have been there...have done that...and have worn the "T" Shirt at o' dark thirty....sigh.

#10 07-07-04, 09:49

Quote:

Originally posted by Jon Skagfeld
Carman...the "sigh" is in remembrance of RCAF lifestyle.

If you were never "in", you simply wouldn't understand. You had to have been there...have done that...and have worn the "T" Shirt at o' dark thirty....sigh.

Try me?

Maybe I'll "get" more than you believe possible, even as an outsider out of my element?

Carman

Alex Blair (RIP) · #11 07-07-04, 11:30

Quote:

Originally posted by Jon Skagfeld
Carman...the "sigh" is in remembrance of RCAF lifestyle.

If you were never "in", you simply wouldn't understand. You had to have been there...have done that...and have worn the "T" Shirt at o' dark thirty....sigh.

Thanks Jon....
As one that served ,you would know the meaning of.."sigh"..
To see serving members in the early sixties with a chest full of medals of WW2 vintage was very common..
I think the most unusual situations occurred for me in Penhold ,Alta..
A long range radar base and a flying station for training pilots ..
Two radarRCAF flight Sgts. grew up together..joined up together...joined bomber command together..flew in the same sqn.together..different crews..were shot down and taken prisioner at different times..ended up in the same prisioner of war camp together..were liberated together and returned home..ended their carreers in Penhold together in 71-72....
Working on the same radar base...
On the same base at the same time, as a young Sergeant I had a Corporal that was a WW2 aircraft carpenter working on the MOsquito bomber..
and another Corporal ex Hitler youth member that ended up in a prisoner of war camp..was released and emmigrated to Canada in the early 50's ..joined the Canadian army as a RCEME dude and ended his carrer in Penhold ..
Oh the stories.....(sigh)...

#12 09-07-04, 06:38

Wow. The MLU is the next best thing to sitting round and HEARING people tell their stories. THAT is what I'd like best ... just to "be there" while people talk and tell. Incredible histories. Incredible times past. Incredible.

Why? I dunno. It's fascinating, not only the stories, but the bonds, and the values, the principles, and the love of the life, and and and

I feel, in here, much like a youngster absorbing the stories and histories of my Elders (Elders as in nothing to do with age, but everything to do with wisdom from experience)

In spite of any silliness and all off topic stuff in here, from me, bottom line? I respect my Elders