As Red Deer gathered to honour veterans, one mother looked back on a family legacy of service.
Ann Lindsay was the Silver Cross mother at this year’s ceremonies at the Red Deer Arena. She served during the Second World War, just like many members of your family.
“It’s a terrific honour, a great honour to be asked,” said Lindsey.
“I was quite surprised when they approached me, but it’s wonderful.” Lindsey was escorted by Red Deer RCMP Superintendent Warren Dosko as the proceedings took place.
Red Deer Arena was packed with people honouring Canada’s veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
“It’s a feeling you have for your country,” said Lindsey.
“When there is trouble, you react to it. My father and my father in law were both in the First World War and my dad joined the army again for the Second World War.
He stayed in Canada and didn’t go overseas.”
Lindsey didn’t serve overseas either during the Second World War, she was a dental assistant with the Royal Canadian Dental Corps.
She met her husband James Douglas Lindsey, an air force lieutenant, while she served.
After the war they married and were stationed throughout Europe and North America. They had three sons together,
Doug retired in 1972 and they moved to Red Deer in 1986.
Lindsey’s father was wounded during the First World War and was sent back to Canada in 1915, he enlisted in the Veteran’s Guard for the Second World War.
“I was a sergeant, I was the lowest ranking of the family,” said Lindsey.
“The others were commissioned officers.”
Lindsey’s son John followed the family tradition and enrolled in an engineering program at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont. John graduated in 1970 and served his entire career in peace time, retiring as a Colonel in 2003.
“I was pleased that he wanted to enlist,” said Lindsey. “His father did not coax him to go, he stressed how difficult it would be, rather than really encouraging him. I know he was glad he went.”
Lindsey was one of more than 40 veterans who were on hand for the event.
Like so many others of her generation the impetus to enlist was
“It was the thing to do, everybody was signing up,” said Lindsey. “I had that feeling about serving your country. I knew it was going to be a short thing for me, women were not in the army at that point.”
mcrawford@www.reddeeradvocate.com