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8 - The Canadian Phampion, Tuesday, November 9, 1999 487 Laurier Ave.,r 878-2881 i Lest weforge t1/'or Huck Kelman, the battie neyer dies 5v IRENE GENTLE The Champion rnaie n Mito u tk forthe as 55r ears, D a in tn, utk) K he last 55r yand a large-chunk of his heart has resided in Sicily. It can most often be found hov- cring above the grave of another Milton son, Pinkie Coxe. The pair were raised together -almost inseparable in this amail town until the Second World War came between them. "I wenî to scbool with hlm," aaid Mr. Kelman, 79. "We played together and went to war îogeth- But they didn't die togetber. Instead, Pinkie lost his life tight- ing for Canada and freedom, while Mr. Kelman returned witb only a few bouts of malaria and deserl lever to show for the expe- rience. I nless. of course, vou count the 6That's the trouble with us veterans. Most of us neyer told our ids. You can't teli people today. They have to find out for themselves." *CE KELMAN medals and the memories, and the broken heart over Pinkie and the other Canadian soldiers siain on European soul. "There were good and bad limes," said Mr. Kelman. But like a lot of oId soldiers, he's bard pressed to come up with many of the good ones. Mr. Kelman was just a callow boy of 19 tagged with the nick- name Huck because he liked to spend lime in the wildemness when he signed on to fight in the war. NexI thing he knew he was sailing 10 Europe with his besl friend as part of the Italian Campaign, the biggest seabomne inva- sion in military history until Normandy. They bit the shoreline July 10, 1943. And just 12 days later, Pinkie was dead. "We didn't know wherc wc were landing until we landcd in Sicily." recallcd Mr. Kelman. "But thcy weoe ready for us." Mr. Kelman battled there for another 22 months before moving on 10 Germany, France and Holland. Wben thc Italian campaign finally wore itself out, the war was almoat over. By then Mr. Kelman had risen 10 the rank of sergeant in the Lome Scota battalion. And be was determined 10 retumn home. "Evcryone was scared," he said simply. "But 1 knew I was going 10 come back." Wben Italy finally fel, the Canadians weren't there 10 sec il, baving moved on 10 northwest Europe. 'We were called the D-day dodgers, because we weren't there," be grinned. But 5,900 Canadian soldiers are buried deep in Italian soil, a grim reminder of Ibis country's contribution to the war. For Mr. Kelman, the reminders are ctched in bis mcmory, wbich is wby he didn't venture back 10 Europe for somc 55 years. But that record was broken Ibis faîl wben he joined 49 veterans Photo by GRAHAM PAINE Multons Huck Kelman, 79, was just 19 years Of age when ho signed on to flght in the Second World War. Sadly, the war claimed 1he lite of his best friend Pinkie Coxo. from across Canada for an anniversary trip 10 the country that stole two ycars of their lives and too many of their fricnds. "It was pretty emotional, going back there after 55 years," said Mr. Kelman. "A lot of old soldiers bad tears in their cyes."g Ali Uic better 10 blur Uic stark vision of the endcass graves ovcrfiowing Italy's 17 war cemeteries. Mr. Kelman laid wreaths on four graves wben be was there, including that of Pinkie Coxe. Once thc war was over, life returncd bo normal for Mr. Kelman. He came back 10 Milton, wbere he took on a job at P.L. Robertson and mamred bis darling sweetbeart, Lily. But ail these years later, Mr. Kelman can rbyme off bis old army badge number, îbougb bis cuntent phone number can some- limes give bim, pause. And be keeps bis war-time keepsakes tuckcd safely away.. "I neyer wear my medals. OnceI got out of the army, I neyer wore tbem again," said Mr. Kelman. "Il neyer wcar my bat, cither. I'm proud of them but I won't wcar thcm." Hc also kept bis stories 10 bimself, wbich is wby WM some people fear that the meaning of Remembrance Day will pass on with the lasI old soldier. 'lTbat's the trouble with us veterans. Most of us neyer told our kids," acknowledged Mr. Kelman. "You can't tell people today. They have to find out for themselves.- But be is proud of bis service, proud of bis country, proud that be can stand beside the cenotaph in Victoria Square for Remembrance Day and understand just wbat is bcing bonourcd. 'I'm proud 1 went over and did what 1 did for my country," he said, livcly comflower eyes blazing. "I'd go again if 1 hadîbte chance." www.cog*co.C8 Acton 21 Main Street North, ActonON L7J lV9 519-853-1270, or 853-4700 COGECO 14 Programmiflg Schedute - November 9th- November lbth, 1999 lOam llOin 12pm ýuge P I n n 1 a lOin, 2pm Plte n! lOin, Ilam 12nn pm ge p n! 4p, 5pm 630 NgeIn! 0m Oinlam 12on Plse h! 5:30 6:30,710pm PlugedlIn! 5:306:307:3 Mgn P In! 12307n 5pn ReMneMbeao 4:30pm Loc1021Sm 5:30 630.7:30pn Plugedw OQOrin Sms Ss 6:00pi Ca*eil te 119 5:30pm tSm SSO, 6:00 ko[5w M1In MM M6i Oasmloa 5:0m 6:30pn,730pn Pe 70»nN On th 8 Agang M Odds: 7.0p swap n Thtàs - Wb:1SNe ..ý Cana 8ilin MRa Ceci 8.0pc Cin the H»Op SportsZONE Lile Featre this week: Join us on RmembmSan Dey for the storles of our Canadian Votens, 12:30 - 5pm. 1