Carl Austin, regarded by Fire Station 3 District Chief Carl Pearson as “One of the most patriotic Canadians I’ve had the pleasure to be associated with,” passed away on Feb. 2, 2019.
“Carl stood out from the crowd, driving his vehicle year-round, proudly waving the Canadian flag secured to his driver window,” recalled Pearson.
“I can still hear Mr. Austin say, ‘Half-staff, not half-mast. We’re not on a boat!”
Austin was further described as “An honourable person that served more than 10 consecutive terms of office as president of the Port Robinson Firefighters Association, and during his avocation as a member of this fire station, hosted many of Port Robinson’s Remembrance Day ceremonies.”
With heads bowed in reverence, members of the 128 Thorold Flying Dragons Royal Canadian Air Cadets Squadron stood vigil over the Port Robinson veterans’ memorial Sunday, while District Chief Pearson led the community service.
Long-time Port Robinson resident William Blue, who passed away July 17, 2019, was also remembered fondly, with a wreath laid in his memory.
Only five members of Unit 5 of the Korea War Vets remain, said Pearson, and are all “well into their 80s,” according to George Barrett of the Korea Veterans Association of Canada.
“Today, we are here to honour those that have given their lives and service to this country,” said Port Robinson Community Church Pastor Clint Sears.
“Today, we carry their honour forward to future generations, as our children and grandchildren must know what they have done for us.”
Anna Oakes, representative for Niagara Centre MP Vance Badawey, recalled the Italian campaign, which began in Sicily in July 1943.
“Our soldiers faced mountainous terrain” and a host of other obstacles, as they “moved up the mainland," pushing forward "from the south to the north, against some of Germany’s best troops,” she said. The campaign ran until May of 1945, and resulted in 26,000 Canadian casualties, with 6,000 losing their lives.
Regional councillor Tim Whalen said 61,000 Canadians died before Armistice brought an end to World War I on Nov. 11, 1918. In all, 625,000 brave Canadians “left the safety of their sovereign soil” to serve, with the last veteran of WWI dying in 2010.
Thanking Station 3 volunteer firefighters for hosting the event, Mayor Terry Ugulini said, “Something that always impressed me is how active our veterans were in our community;” a tradition “we must continue.”
Bettie Costea laid the first wreath for the Silver Cross Mothers, followed by Rick and Laurie Austin adding one for Carl Austin, and the Canadian Merchant Navy Veterans laying a wreath in memory of Sydney Dupuis. Many others were placed by local, regional, provincial and federal organizations.
Following the service, refreshments were served in the fire station’s community room.
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