Remembrance Day! There is nothing like a day off from classes to give a persona fresh outlook on life. It was better in high school, though, because we got two or three days extra

Anyhow, a day is a day off, right? I like to go for drives on Remembrance Day; butit's hard as hell to get out of the city. All those old people marching, blocking traffic, everyone making there way to the cenotaph. You would think they could have a little more consideration.

I always head to St. Pe- ters because that is where my family is originally from. Some old guy once said that St. Peters had the highest per capita ratio of volunteers in Canada during WWII. Most of the men took off for Europe as soon as they could, leaving the women behind to worry day after day. He told me that at mail time, wives and girl- friends used to gather at the end of their driveways to see who would get the ‘official letter of apology'. I guess it was pretty tense, because peo- ple were dying every week I understand what it is like. I get the same way when I wait for my marks from school over Christmas.

I love to hear war stories from some of my fam- ily. They rarely talk about it, though, and usually only when they have had a few drinks. My favorite one was about my uncles who lied about their age tojointhenavy. They were only 14 or 15 when they worked on Corvettes guard- ing cargo across the Atlantic Ocean. Their ships were sunk,

not once but twice; and they got to sit in the freezing water and listen to their friends get eaten by sharks. Didn't stop them, though. They just hopped right back on another ship. Man, you would not catch me doing that. They used to cry a little when the subject came up. I don't know why— after all, it has been over fifty years. Get over it already.

Can you imagine life being that simple? Can you imagine dying for what you believe in? Hell, I don't even know "what" I believe in. I mean, they try to make the wars sound so noble. Nowa- days, we know the truth. They were really ideological wars, efforts to stop Russian expan- sion into Europe. England was protecting a dying empire, the Allies fought just as dirty as the Axis. Wedonoteven know if the Holocaust even hap- pened. Germany is our friend, my wife is Japanese—what is the point of going around re- minding everyone of old wounds, It's not as if it could ever happen again, right? Be- sides, | know all about the wars. I' ve read some books.

I have to admit, the pop- pies are pretty cool. They look great on my coat; and you can pick them up for a few pen- nies. I am not sure what there significance means. Maybe it comes from the crazy poem my history teacher made me memorize all those years ago. You know the one.

In Flanders Fields...

I will be sorry when the last veterans die. Remem- brance Day is such acool holi- day.

The Panther Prints ¢* Opinion

November 19, 1996

Bear Advice: Winter Weather

Just a little winter advice for people who may not have experience driving on PEI in the wintertime, and for those who do not own a 4WD vehi- cle.

For winter driving con- ditions you should have snow tires or studded tires. All weather tires are not a good choice if you have any dis- tance to travel.

The Department of Highways does a good job of plowing, but the wind is a big factor with winter driving and whether the roads stay open. Visibility is low to impossible when the wind goes above 40 km/h. If the wind is 50km/h+ and its blowing snow, stay put.

\ i

"Piz « GaRiic

The ferry does not go if there is a lot of ice and the wind is 60km/h+. If the wind is 60+ and it is blowing snow-you probably won’ tbe able to drive there anyway.

After a storm, listen to the radio if the schools are delayed an hour-don’t be in a hurry. It means plowing has been slow and the sand trucks have not made it around their route yet, driving may berisky.

If you get stuck in the snow, do not keep your car running. It is a good idea when preparing for winter to have emergency blankets in the car, (not the trunk), and keep on hand extra mittens, hats and a few granola bars. A

LAL

ey

candle provides a lot of heat in a closed area.

The worst storms are just before and after the full moon. So plan accordingly and watch for weather from November 23 to the full moon and De- cember 23 to the full moon. My grandfather told me that there is always three good traveling days over the full moon, (after the storm).

At Christmas, if you are flying and there is a storm warning-sleep at the airport. Planes seem to go in the worst of weather, you just have to actually get to the airport.

This notice is from Momma Bear in UPEI receiv- ing.

wy

reo a

3 FIngEIs