Description
Mr. Routhier describes his feelings on Remembrance Day and feels it is important for Canadians to commemorate that day.
Harry Routhier
Harry Routhier was born December 6, 1899 in Chelsea, Quebec. He is the third of five children. His father was a steam engineer and his grandfather served in Parliament and wrote the words to "O Canada". He attended school in Phoenix and Mission Junction, British Columbia. He worked on a farm in the Prairies, never finishing school. Lying about his age, Mr. Routhier joined the army at the age of sixteen. After his training in Regina, he joined the 217th Battalion and was later transferred to the 46th Battalion. Mr. Routhier was an active participant in the Battle of Amiens, France in August, 1918. After the war, he worked as a lumberjack, and later resided in Langley, British Columbia.
Transcript
Interviewer: Mr. Routhier, every year in Canada on November 11th, Canadians pause to
remember the sacrifice of you and your comrades and also other generations of Canadians that have had to be involved in foreign wars. Tell me, Mr. Routhier, what does November 11th, Remembrance Day, mean to you?
Well it's a day of joy, that everything is there, and I would never miss being in a parade or celebrating that day. I am a long time Legion member and I go for them.
Interviewer: Is it important that other Canadians commemorate that day?
Yes, they should, they should. I detest anybody protesting it. There are a few around that protest, thinks it's nothing.
Interviewer: But it is important.
Yup
Interviewer: Important to remember your comrades?
Yes, very important.