Posted 7 hours ago
By Bill Gay
Thanks in large part to the Leamington Mersea Historical Society, we have had distinguished visitors in the past few weeks that have given us unique perspective. Listening to historian Sandy Antal and veteran Larry Costello (two former Leamington residents) is an experience I wish every citizen could experience.
1813. In was a bitterly cold night in Fort Amherstburg. Soldiers of the 41st Regiment, the Essex militia, and local townsfolk were celebrating the birthday of Queen Charlotte, consort to His Majesty King George. The music stops and in walks Lt. Colonel Thomas Bligh St. George, deputy to the Detroit theatre commander Henry Procter. In a strident voice long accustomed to command, Sandy Antal writes, "My boys you must prepare to dance to a different tune. The enemy is upon us and we are going to surprise them!" What was to follow in the next few days was a smashing allied victory at Frenchtown, now Monroe, Michigan. Stories such as this from our long ago past are Antal's stock in trade, and when speaking to an excellent turnout at the Pelee Days Inn, he, and fellow presenter military artist John Rindlisbacher, didn't let anyone down. Especially of interest with ties to the present, was his description of Caldwell's raiders, and how loyal First Nations people helped defend and save Canada.
Another very prominent voice from closer to the present time is that of veteran Larry Costello. His fascinating talk at the Leamington Mersea Museum is not one those in attendance will soon forget. Costello served in World War Two's longest action, the Battle of the Atlantic, the beginning of a remarkable career in the service of his monarch. As St. George and Procter served the eccentric King George the 3rd, Costello served King George the 6th, a more admirable head of state vividly described in the recent Oscar winning movie, The King's Speech. Serving on the Murmansk run from Canada to Russia, Costello was scratched from a return assignment due to illness. While he was still in the hospital, the Germans sunk the ship he was scheduled to be on. He describes the Murmansk run as "the coldest time of my life." Only his recruiting officer in Montreal knew that the young man was under age when he signed up!
In 1961, 50 years ago, Larry Costello answered his country's call again, serving on the HMCS Ottawa, providing a naval screen to keep Soviet ships away from Cuba during the Bay of Pigs incident. This American inspired support for Cuba exiles to invade Cuba and drive out Fidel Castro failed miserably. President Kennedy felt misled by Eisenhower holdovers who told him Castro could be disposed of by his own people. Now here we are today with the Castro brothers still in charge of what JFK called "that imprisoned island".
Costello went on to serve with the diplomatic corps at the Canadian Consulate in Detroit for 5 years, and retired in 1978. He was honoured with a invitation to dinner with the Queen on the Royal Yacht Britannia. (which he accepted). Today he helps the Windsor Historical Society gather information about our military veterans who served Canada by land, sea and in the air. But what really motivates him is his desire to put service ahead of self in particular regards his fellow veterans. If you ever get the opportunity to hear him speak don't miss it.
Henry Kissinger, U.S. Secretary of State, in a speech to an Ivy League college described the Canadian role in world affairs. He said that Canada's unique position combined with the high quality of leadership enable it to conduct a global foreign policy. Indeed Canada was a charter member of the Union Nations, due largely to the work of Essex County's Paul Martin Senior. We have served around the world in locales like Bosnia, Haiti and from outposts at the Berlin Wall that overlooked the Iron Curtain in between what was then East and West Germany. Canada is regarded as an honest power broker, staunchly standing up for human rights, dedicated to freedom for all. Canadians are coming off a ten year combat role in far off Afghanistan, and our remaining forces there left to train Afghan security forces are in harms way despite their fewer number. In Libya, Canada provided leadership and contributed strong air power with a squadron of CF-18's fighters that ultimately forced out the dictator Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.
Like our forebears from the War of 1812, 200 years ago, like the remarkable generation that Larry Costello was a part of, and like our present soldiers and diplomats that bring such lustre to our flag, this Christmas, remember them and their families who have given so much. Sandy Antal's book Invasions, is available at Print Works , 382 Devonshire Road in Windsor, or at the Essex Railway Station Book Shoppe. ($15)
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