A message from Elizabeth

Being the first of the family to stand at the grave site of my great uncles; John and Metro Skwarchuk is a remarkable feeling, which I experienced today at Beny sur Mer cemetery. Once I found John’s gravestone I placed the pictures I had laminated in front of the grave. I also placed two Canadian flags, a cross that read “we miss you uncle, lest we forget” and a lit candle at the sides of the grave. I took a stencil and paper placed it over John’s markings and I coloured it in. I then moved across the graveyard to Metro’s gravesite, and I did the same. The brothers were not buried side by side for the reason of different passing’s, John had passed away almost a month after Metro. Mr. Kissick had warned me ahead of time, that leaving them behind would be the hardest part of it all... he was right. I said my goodbyes to Metro and I couldn’t hold in the tears any longer but then I felt the joy of actually standing in the cemetery that they are both in. I placed a wreath in the center of the cemetery where there is a cross to remember the falling soldiers. I went once more to John’s grave and said my goodbyes. I wrote in the book of remembrance and took pictures of the cemetery right before heading onto the bus. We drove to Juno beach and watched a film explaining what it would be like to be in the war. The tour guide told us that out of 37 tanks, only 7 of them made it to shore and this made me think of Metro as he was a tank man.  We went through the museum then headed down to the shores of Juno Beach where I collected rocks and sand. While everyone else put their feet in the ocean I was putting my hands in because I didn’t want to take off my socks just to get them all sandy and wet. We took a group picture and headed back up to the bus, but before we reached the bus I placed a picture of both my great uncles and Canadian flags at the monument that was there. Sitting in the hotel room now, I regret not taking the time to remove my shoes and socks and going into the water. Today was the day for myself and also my family, I could not help but think about my uncle John throughout the day as Metro and John were his half brothers and I know in my heart they are all proud to have a relative be there like I was. Out of the two week trip I took with my class, today was my favourite and I wish there was more time for them.  Rest in Peace John and Metro Skwarchuk.

-          Elizabeth Dakers