John Albert Dietsch – saying goodbye to a Canadian hero

February 2, 2012 — xanthippa

On November 9th, 2009, two Canadian veterans had collected money for their local legion through the red poppy campaign when they were confronted by an armed robber.  Rather than submit, they stood up to him!

One of these two brave men was John Albert Dietsch – then 84 years strong.  During WWII, Mr. Dietsch served as a stoker on a corvette in the North Atlantic.

Today, I received the following comment:

‘Thought I would post this about my Uncles death because of the nice comments you made about the story a few years ago. He was quite the guy and will be missed by many.

John Albert Dietsch
DIETSCH, John Albert – Passed peacefully at Toronto East General Hospital after a brief illness on Tuesday, January 31, 2012 in his 87th year. Proud Meritorious Life member of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 73 for 66 years. Beloved husband of Verna (Phipps). Loving father of Dianne (Bill), Gail (Doug), Linda, Robin, and Carol (Terry). Predeceased by son Johnny. Dear brother of Marie, Joan and Helen. Predeceased by brother George and sister Bernice. Dear grandfather of Eddie, Ronda, Kristine, Kyle, Chad and Tyler and great-grandfather of Erin, Emma, Brooklynn and Mia Bella. Friends may call at the SHERRIN FUNERAL HOME CREMATION AND TRIBUTE CENTRE, 873 Kingston Road (west of Victoria Park), 416-698-2861, on Thursday, February 2, 2012 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. with a Legion Service at 7:30 p.m. Funeral service to be held in the chapel on Friday, February 3, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. Interment at Pine Hills Cemetery. Reception to follow at RCL Branch 73, 2 Robinson Avenue, Scarborough. In lieu of flowers, donations in John’s memory can be made to RCL Branch 73 Poppy Trust Fund. Online condolences may be made at http://www.sherrinfuneral.ca‘

My condolances to the Dietsch family:  this world is a better place because of Mr. John Dietsch!

UPDATE:  More from Mr. Dietsch’s family:

‘John Albert Dietsch was my Step-Dad. Although we didn’t share the same DNA, he was
my Dad in every sense of the word. Daily, he lived his life with integrity, honest and kindness and was the most honourable man I have ever met. It is my privilege to have had him in my life
and I will miss him for eternity.
Carol’

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White Poppy Campaign: plans to desecrate the National War Memorial on Rememberance Day

November 3, 2010 — xanthippa

Where:  National War Memorial

When:  11th of November, 2010

Time:  12:30 pm

What:  Come and protect the National War Memorial from desecration

The ‘White Poppy Campaign’ is out in force again: Ian Harvey of the Ottawa White Poppy Coalition announced that they are planning to lay a wreath of White Poppies at the National War Memorial this Remembrance Day.

They have done it last year, and the year before that….

….after the official ceremony, of course.  More precisely, at 12:30 pm.

Why?

Vince McDermott reports in the National Post:

“The red Legion poppy, in my opinion, represents the nostalgia and romanticizing of war,” said Ian Harvey, an activist in the Ottawa White Poppy Coalition. “We should remember that you don’t have to go to war to get peace.”

 

The ‘White Poppies for a Culture of Peace’ website explains their philosophy:

How many people is it acceptable to kill, or maim, or chase out of their homes, so that we can live in comfort?

WHERE DO I BEGIN?!?!?!?!?

I, for one, will take the advice of a caller to the Lowell Green show on CFRA today.  I will come to the War Memorial, this Remembrance Day, and stay until 12:30.  When these people attempt to desecrate the memories of all those who sacrificed of themselves so that we may live, I will stand in their way.  Peacefully, but firmly (and not necessarily quietly…).

Hopefully, enough of us will come to form a protective wall.

If these ‘White Poppy Coalition’ people truly believe in the principles of non-violence, they will not attempt to use force against us:  either the force of their own hands or the force in the form of civil authorities.

The Veterans have done for us.

Now, it is time for us to do for them!

 

 

 

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