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 seizing of Europe’s bells

An item from the Legion Magazine.


Front Lines
Front Lines

Bell cemetery in Hamburg after the Second World War. [Bundesarchive]

The seizing of Europe’s bells

STORY BY STEPHEN J. THORNE

The bells that rang out across allied nations after the First World War ended what for many had been a four-year silence enforced by regulation in some places and imposed by confiscation in others.

In Germany and across Europe, tens of thousands of bronze bells—some imparting “the songs of the angels” since the 12th century—had been seized and melted down for arms and munitions.

During the First World War, 44 per cent of the bells in Germany alone were lost, many given willingly to support the war effort—and some not so willingly.

In the parish of Kusel in southwestern Germany, Deacon Karl Munzinger had grudgingly resigned himself to the inevitable after resisting a decree ordering the surrender of bells to be melted down and converted to guns and shells.

 

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Beaver Mug – Yes, I am From Canada
The Briefing
The Briefing

Whitey’s Journey by Kelsey Lonie is a new children’s book about a WW II canine mascot published by Heritage House Publishing. [Courtesy Heritage House Publishing]

Children’s book published on Canadian WW II dog mascot

STORY BY ALEX BOWERS

“Sometimes, a story reaches out and just won’t let go,” suggested Kelsey Lonie, a Canadian military historian and educator-turned-children’s book author. That story, first told to her by Gord Crossley, The Fort Garry Horse Museum and Archives curator, instantly resonated with the Regina resident.

“I told [Crossley] how much I love the intersection of animals and the Second World War,” continued Lonie, “and he obviously highlighted the ties between [renowned children’s book character] Winnie the Pooh and Winnipeg [during the First World War]. He then mentioned that The Fort Garry Horse regiment had a dog during World War Two. His name was Whitey, and he was a collie.”

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Member Benefit Partner

Home Equity Bank

Canadian homeowners aged 55+ can access up to 55% of their home’s value without having to sell. As a proud partner of the Royal Canadian Legion, HomeEquity Bank offers Legion members $500 cash back* upon funding their CHIP Reverse Mortgage.

2025 Veterans’ Week learning materials and other resources for Remembrance Day // Ressources d’apprentissage de la Semaine des vétérans 2025 et autres ressources

If any of our members are teachers or have them in their family, this item from Veterans Affairs Canada may be of interest to you.


Thank you for Joining us 🇨🇦

A quick note from one of our fellow Canadian organizations in the Bay Area.


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Canadian Forces Participation in San Francisco Fleet Week 2025

[UPDATED 11 OCTOBER 2025]

Comrades,

We hope the disorganization that we are witnessing in the organization of the San Francisco Fleet Week is due to the uncertainty created by the government shutdown and not indicative of their normal practices. For those who haven’t been following along, today is day four of their 9-day event, and their website still has “Coming soon!” listed on many pieces of their website (including the Ship Tour information for today, as well as incorrect information about who will be attending. Even their Facebook page, which can allow real time updates, is still woefully unhelpful.

What we can tell you is that the Canadian Forces will have strong representation at the event, and that has been widely reported in the media:

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds (see https://www.canada.ca/en/air-force/services/showcasing/snowbirds.html and https://www.facebook.com/CFSnowbirdsFC/ ) will be the star of the Air Show, which will be happening Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from noon to 4pm.  The schedule is as follows:

Opening Ceremonies -12:15 PM
United Airlines 777 Demo – 12:25 PM
Jack Aces P-51 Demo Team – 12:37 PM
Patriots Jet Team – 12:52 PM
Acemaker T-33 – 1:37 PM
Jack Aces P-51 Demo Team – 2:09 PM
Randy Howell/Cory Lovell – 2:26 PM
United Airlines 777 Demo – 2:36 PM
Canadian Snowbirds – 2:48 PM

The HMCS Nanaimo (see https://www.canada.ca/en/navy/services/history/ships-histories/nanaimo.html and https://www.facebook.com/nan702 ) will also be in port. Public tours of the HMCS Nanaimo are on Sunday, 12 October from 10am to 4pm at Pier 19.

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