At 89 years, Prince George veteran Charles Hardy doesn't hear so well any more and the names battles and places overseas are somewhat fading from his memory.
But there are aspects of the Second World War and fighting on the front lines that he will never be able to erase from his mind.
"I remember there was lots of shell fire. Many friends went down the tube.
"My worst memory was when one of my buddies was in front of me . . . I heard him scream. He had stepped on a mine and it blew him apart.
"I dragged him to a level spot. He came to for about 30 seconds before he died.
"There was no time for either of us to say anything," Hardy said when asked if his friend had any last words.
The army veteran was in Holland on the day the "order" came that the war was over.
Was it a joyous time with hats being thrown into the air and hugging going on like you see in the movies?
"No. We didn't do that. I just remember a loud holler going up," said Hardy who made it home to North Battleford, Saskatchewan in good shape.
He was 18 years old when he signed up with the Regina Rifles Regiment in June, 1940 and did his training at the Dundurn Military Base close to Saskatoon.
Hardy, who said his job was as in artillery communications, running signals and forward observation of artillery targets, travelled by boat to Palermo, Italy where he was stationed for about a year before moving on to Belgium and Holland where he was when the war ended.
For the past few months he's lived at Rodica House for senior citizens in Prince George.
He doesn't get out much any more, but in younger years he was an active participant in the Royal Canadian Legion events, and encourages those who are able o attend the Remembrance Day services on Nov. 11.
"It's important because its Canadian history. We need to honour the people that we lost and those who fought in the wars," said Hardy who came from Saskatoon to "gorgeous Prince George" to be closer to three sons and their families who live in the region.
Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 43, will hold Remembrance Day services on Nov. 11 at the Civic Centre beginning sharply at 9:30 a.m. Participants need to be seated by 9 a.m.
**The parade forms up at 10:35 a.m. for the march to the Cenotaph in front of city hall.
** The ceremony at the Cenotaph begins at 11 a.m. following which the parade goes back to the Civic Centre via Sixth Avenue.
**Celebrations at the Legion following the services include pipers, live bands, dancing, old time singing, foods and beverages.
**This year there is a free shuttle service available from the Legion within city limits.
