Each year the Royal Canadian Legion chooses one special lady to act as War Mother at the Remembrance Day Service. She goes beyond placing the first wreath and presenting a speech that day. Her side of the story, shared with us, tells a tale that both remembers and inspires. Lauretta Schmidt received the news just a little over a month ago that her turn had come to be chosen as this year's War Mother. Lauretta is currently married to Veteran Howard Schmidt and has also been affected by the war by losing a favorite Uncle of hers during his service.
The Schmidt couple have been married for over 64 years and "God Willing, We will celebrate our 65 anniversary July 4, 2015" says Lauretta. It was not until Howard returned from the war that the two first met. Although growing up in relatively close distance according to current day standards, Lauretta from nearby Ralph only met the Midale boy by chance. She initially met Howard when she decided to attend a dance in Weyburn with family and friends. It was nearly a year later that the two had their next encounter at a dance held at the same hall. "It was at our second meeting, at another local dance that Howard asked me out on a date" says Lauretta. The rest, as they say, is history. Lauretta and Howard began a life together. The freedom to create a life that Howard fought for, that his fallen comrades never got the chance to create.
Howard had enlisted in the army in 1943 receiving his training in Prince Albert and Shiloh, Manitoba before heading overseas. His service to our country saw him taken to England, France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. Schmidt suffered injuries on two separate occasions which had him travel to England for treatment. Howard, lucky to be alive, arrived back to Weyburn in 1945 to begin a new chapter in his life - one that would include Lauretta.
Lauretta and Howard were married July 4, 1950. The couple are most proud of the family they have created which includes seven children, 20 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild. Photos of their extended family adorn their home walls and were proudly shared with me. Several family members are expected to attend the 2014 memorial service to show their support for both Howard and Lauretta.
Lauretta shares a fond memory from last year's event. Following the service, Lauretta's great-great granddaughter became excited at the cenotaph after seeing "all the pretty flowers". Her grandmother told the innocent girl that they were poppies. Schmidt holds the photo of the little girl and smiles fondly when she thinks of the time when the little girl kept backing up, inch by inch, to get as close as she could to those "flowers" to take a picture.
Many memories have been created over the years and will continue to be made. Lauretta and Howard have remained active members of the Royal Canadian Legion and have attended several events including another reunion hosted by the South Saskatchewan Regiment at the Weyburn Hall. The numbers have been getting increasingly smaller each year. Although the group lost four members over the last year, they have decided to plan for another weekend reunion for next year. "We will keep going as long as they keep wanting to do it" states Lauretta. With memories over the years created and this year sure to provide more, it can be said "We Will Always Remember".
