Dear editor:

I want to express my thanks for the time and effort Ron Dale has put in to The Monuments Men series of articles in The Lake Report about the men honoured on the two Niagara-on-the-Lake cenotaphs.

While I no longer live in NOTL, growing up there meant that I recognized many of the names you have featured.

The most recent instalment, Part 45, “Luck ran out for Pilot Officer Albert Digby Cooper,” (April 27), is especially meaningful as Digby Cooper was my mother’s brother and therefore an uncle I never knew but have been aware of all my life.

Also of interest is the fact that Uncle Digby and Jack Hutchison (featured on April 13) were good friends and attended Virgil Public School together.

I am completely awed by the dedication of so many young people and their commitment in serving their country during times of war.

As the only son of a farmer, I believe Uncle Digby had the option of remaining on the family farm but that was not his desire. My own father, Andrew Lorne Patterson, was the same, and also elected to serve Canada during the Second World War.

And while my father seldom spoke of his time overseas I know it had a great impact on his life when he returned to Niagara.

Throughout the remainder of his life he continued to serve the people of town as president and service officer of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 124.

He also served as chair of the cemetery board that was instrumental in obtaining the land and developing the Lakeshore Cemetery. As well, he worked on fruit growing boards and committees in hopes of making things better in the fruit industry.

Thank you again for Ron Dale’s wonderful series of articles.

When we stand at the clock tower or the Queenston cenotaph each Nov. 11 and read the names of the fallen, thank you for reminding us they were important citizens of Niagara and we owe them our thanks as well.

Linda Patterson Dueck
Niagara Falls