Remembrance Day and Veterans’ Day
A guest column by Phil Symchych, a member of the Mentor Hall of Fame and a Mentor Master. He is the CEO of Symcoandco in Regina, SK.
My father, John Symchych, was a private first class in the Canadian Army during World War II. He’s 85 today and still tough.
He was promoted up to corporal once but they were out celebrating, returned late, were considered AWOL, and he was busted back down to private.
Dad was chased by a tank, hit with tank fire while in a brick school house and blinded for days, never knowing if he’d recover, returned to active duty, hit with machine gun fire, found by the Germans who gave them a coat and a flask of brandy, and eventually rescued by his Canadian buddies.
My Dad is my hero.
We have a great life in Canada and the US and enjoy many freedoms because of his courage…and speed (he out-ran the tank!).
Several years ago when I was stressed about a corporate tax exam in university, I called my Dad.
“Are you in a fox hole?” he asked.
“Ahh, no” I replied, wondering how this was going to help my academic stress.
“Is anyone shooting at you?” he demanded.
“No” was my meek response.
“You’ll be fine!” Click.
So, thanks, Dad, for giving us our feedom, helping us keep things in perspective, and teaching us how to act braver than many circumstances or common sense would have warranted.
And thanks to all military people, and their families, who endure danger, separation and worry to keep us safe.
On Remembrance Day and Veterans Day, please take a moment to appreciate our freedom and salute our military.
Copyright Phil Symchych 2010. All Rights Reserved.
Mark Cioni
Phil, thank you for sharing your father’s legacy with us. Along with the remembering my brother, uncles and friends who have served, I look in the mirror and ask myself whether I’ve done my part to deserve the freedoms we’ve been given. With apologies to “Saving Private Ryan” I hope fervently that I’ve earned it, but compared to those who have served it seems so little.
May we never forget.
Phil Symchych
Thanks, Mark. I”ve learned from Bill Corbett to walk up to military people in airports and thank them for their service. Bill is a retired Marine and Vietnam veteran, and one of the classiest people that I’ve ever met.
Phil
Dan Weedin
Phil…what a great article. Thanks for sharing. As we shared when we were in Denver, my dad is also 85 and a WWII vet. He quit high school the day after he turned 17 to enlist in the Navy on February 11, 1942 to avenge Pearl Harbor and serve his country. My grandmother made him wait one day so they could celebrate his birthday properly. She was scared neither he or his older brother would ever return home. Fortunately, she was wrong on both counts. Thanks again for the wonderful story.
Rabbi Issamar Ginzberg
What a fantastic reminder that the day to day problems we face are really just insignificant events most of which we will hardly even remember in years to come.
Thanks for sharing.
Dave Gardner
Wonderful, Phil! Thanks for sharing and honoring your father.
Phil Symchych
Dan, Rabbi Ginzberg, and Dave,
Thank you for your thoughts.
Phil