Resident named last Silver Cross Mother of millennium

No-Cache Resident named last Silver Cross Mother of millennium

Wednesday, November 10, 1999

Resident named last Silver Cross Mother of millennium

By Gillian Beckett
Staff Reporter

Theresa Brown Traditionally, the role of Silver Cross Mother has been reserved for a mother whose son(s) had served in the two world wars.

However, as we near the next millennium, the numbers of those eligible to bear the role of Silver Cross Mother have diminished significantly, to the point where there are none.

Therefore, to carry the legacy of an honored tradition, the role has been extended to the wives of such soldiers.

One wife in particular is Theresa Brown of Black Diamond who will be laying the wreath as the last Silver Cross Mother of the millennium during the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Flare 'n' Derrick in Turner Valley on Nov. 11.

'When I was asked by the Turner Valley Legion to represent the Silver Cross Mother, I thought it was very nice,' said Brown, who has been a member of the Legion for 30 years. 'As for being the last of the millennium, I've never thought of it that way -- to me the millennium will be just another day.'

Brown's husband, Menno Brown, who passed away two years ago, served overseas during the Second World War and was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces for 31 years.

The couple was married after the war in 1949 and spent the next two decades moving from division post to division post as part of Menno's duty as sergeant in the Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineer corps.

Brown explained that her husband saw much action overseas after the Second World War.

'He spent one year, from 1953 to 1954, serving in Korea,' said Brown. 'Then in 1969, he spent six months as part of a peacekeeping mission in Egypt.'

After her husband returned, Brown said they decided to move to Black Diamond. 'I grew up in DeWinton, so it was natural for me to come back here to live,' she said.

Also natural to Brown is the significance of observing Remembrance Day. 'If I can't attend the services, I always make it a point to watch it on television,' said Brown.

However, as for the concern that observing Remembrance Day does not fall as naturally to others, Brown said Legion members are ensuring that the importance of Remembrance Day does not fade as time passes by.

'I see teachers teaching kids more in schools now about Remembrance Day,' said Brown. 'Legion members continue to visit students and encourage Remembrance Day services at the schools.'

other Remembrance Day stories in this issue:

Letters to the Editor revive memories from the front

Foothills to host services to reflect, respect and remember
RCAF POWs rekindle old friendships at reunion
Resident named last Silver Cross Mother of millennium
'Unknown' war hero has a name here in Okotoks

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Resident named last Silver Cross Mother of millennium

By Gillian Beckett Staff Reporter		Traditionally, the role of Silver Cross Mother has been reserved for a mother whose son(s) had served in the two world wars. However, as we near the next millennium, the numbers of those eligible to bear the role of Silver Cross Mother have diminished significantly, to the point where there are none. Therefore, to carry the legacy of an honored tradition, the role has been extended to the wives of such soldiers. One wife in particular is Theresa Brown of Black Diamond who will be laying the wreath as the last Silver Cross Mother of the millennium during the Remembrance Day ceremony at the Flare 'n' Derrick in Turner Valley on Nov. 11. 'When I was asked by the Turner Valley Legion to represent the Silver Cross Mother, I thought it was very nice,' said Brown, who has been a member of the Legion for 30 years. 'As for being the last of the millennium, I've never thought of it that way -- to me the millennium will be just another day.' Brown's husband, Menno Brown, who passed away two years ago, served overseas during the Second World War and was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces for 31 years. The couple was married after the war in 1949 and spent the next two decades moving from division post to division post as part of Menno's duty as sergeant in the Royal Canadian Electrical Mechanical Engineer corps. Brown explained that her husband saw much action overseas after the Second World War. 'He spent one year, from 1953 to 1954, serving in Korea,' said Brown. 'Then in 1969, he spent six months as part of a peacekeeping mission in Egypt.' After her husband returned, Brown said they decided to move to Black Diamond. 'I grew up in DeWinton, so it was natural for me to come back here to live,' she said. Also natural to Brown is the significance of observing Remembrance Day. 'If I can't attend the services, I always make it a point to watch it on television,' said Brown. However, as for the concern that observing Remembrance Day does not fall as naturally to others, Brown said Legion members are ensuring that the importance of Remembrance Day does not fade as time passes by. 'I see teachers teaching kids more in schools now about Remembrance Day,' said Brown. 'Legion members continue to visit students and encourage Remembrance Day services at the schools.'



other Remembrance Day stories in this issue:

	Letters to the Editor revive memories from the front Foothills to host services to reflect, respect and remember RCAF POWs rekindle old friendships at reunion Resident named last Silver Cross Mother of millennium 'Unknown' war hero has a name here in Okotoks


Search Okotoks and Surrounding Areas

			!! new !!
	search the western wheel	search regional white pages	search for real estate



News Stories	Opinion	What's Happening	Sports	Archives



website by iGods internet marketing