Author Archives: Michael K. Barbour

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About Michael K. Barbour

Michael K. Barbour is the Director of Faculty Development and a Professor of Instructional Design for the College of Education and Health Sciences at Touro University California. He has been involved with K-12 online learning in a variety of countries for well over a decade as a researcher, teacher, course designer and administrator. Michael's research focuses on the effective design, delivery and support of K-12 online learning, particularly for students located in rural jurisdictions.

The complicated life and career of Fritz Haber, father of chemical warfare

An item from the Legion Magazine.


Front Lines
Front Lines

NOBEL FOUNDATION/WIKIMEDIA

The complicated life and career of Fritz Haber, father of chemical warfare

STORY BY STEPHEN J. THORNE

On April 22, 1915, Canadian and Algerian troops holding the line on the Ypres salient watched as an ominous yellow-green cloud rose from the opposing German trenches and, carried by a light northeast wind, approached low and slow.

The cloud was, in fact, more than 160 tonnes of poisonous chlorine gas and as it rolled over the French colonials on the Canadians’ left flank, the Algerian soldiers began choking and gasping for air. Some turned and ran, but the gas followed them. The nearest Algerians made for the Canadian trenches across the road.

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Silk Scarves
Military Milestones
Military Milestones

Wikimedia

A Canadian commander of the War of 1812

STORY BY PAIGE JASMINE GILMAR

A figure of yesteryear, Gordon Drummond—from his high-necked collars to his oil-painted profiles—doesn’t appear the trailblazer he was. An intuitive leader and clever military strategist, Drummond was refreshing as the lieutenant governor of Upper Canada in 1813, replacing Francis de Rottenburg who was said to be too timid. Drummond had gumption and a mastery of combat the British needed to keep the Americans at bay during the War of 1812.

He made history as the first Canadian-born lieutenant governor and officer of the colonial military and Upper Canada’s civilian governments. And through his command, Drummond set an important precedent: Canada required Canadian leadership.

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Help Us Fill Our Trucks

An item from the Wreaths Across America organization.


Wreaths Across America

Thank You

One moving aspect of the Wreaths Across America mission is the contribution of our nation’s trucking industry. As you read, over 700 trucks are traveling to and from Maine to ensure the delivery of sponsored veterans’ wreaths. All those miles, over 1 million, are donated by each trucking company.

Another moving revelation comes from drivers who realize their actual cargo is not only wreaths but really honor and respect for our fallen heroes. For that reason, we work with these drivers to safely load their trucks with as many wreaths as possible.

If you are receiving this message, space exists on trucks headed to your area. Please help us fill these trucks by taking one of the following actions:

  • Share this Message: Please forward this message to family and friends in your area and request they click below to sponsor wreath(s) where most needed:

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  • Sponsor Wreaths: If you have not yet sponsored wreaths, or if you can sponsor more, please click one of the following links:

 

  • Volunteer: If you want to volunteer to place wreaths, please click our Location Finder to find a participating location near you.

Please remember, if we run out of space to ship a wreath to the location you support, the location coordinator may redirect your wreaths to another location in need or save it for next year.

Finally, we’ve included below some of our favorite photos that will give you a feel for the dramatic contribution of our truckers.

Thank you so much for helping us fill our trucks!

Wreaths Across America


Favorite Trucking Photos

The Flanders legacy: Stijn Butaye and the iron harvest

An item from the Legion Magazine.


Front Lines
Front Lines

STEPHEN J. THORNE

The Flanders legacy: Stijn Butaye and the iron harvest

STORY BY STEPHEN J. THORNE

Stijn Butaye was 12 years old when he strutted into his mother’s Flanders farmhouse kitchen holding an unexploded First World War grenade in his hand like a cat proudly presenting its owner a mouse. Not unlike the proverbial cat owner, his mother promptly sent him back outside, where he was prudently disarmed and given a stern lecture about the realities of rural life in eastern Belgium.

A short time later, the boy recovered a mud-encrusted, near-century-old Lee-Enfield rifle. His mother’s reservations notwithstanding, Butaye was hooked.

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O Canada Classic Ball Cap
Military Milestones
Military Milestones

Wikimedia

The Korean War’s only RCAF prisoner

STORY BY PAIGE JASMINE GILMAR

Squadron Leader Andrew (Andy) MacKenzie described himself as an ordinary man caught up in an extraordinary situation—a recurring theme in his life. From piloting a Spitfire in the Second World War to ejecting out of a burning plane at 12,000 metres (40,000 feet), thrills and chills followed the happy-go-lucky flying ace in the Royal Canadian Air Force for 27 years.

But perhaps no experience was as chilling as being shot down by friendly fire on Dec. 5, 1952, and taken prisoner by Chinese authorities during the Korean War, making MacKenzie the only Canadian air force PoW during the conflict.

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