(Published with permission from Andrew Miller)
On Remembrance Day, I wanted to take a little time to remember someone very special to me: my grandfather on my Mom’s side, Private Charles Edward McCormick. 
Charles was born and raised in the North End of Saint John, New Brunswick. In 1940, he answered the call to serve his country, beginning a five-year period of military service during the Second World War.
He served with the 4th Princess Louise Dragoon Guards and later the Carleton & York Regiment during the campaign in Northwest Europe.
Over the years, my Mom has carefully preserved photographs, documents and keepsakes from his life and military service. Looking through them recently has given me an even greater appreciation for his story.
Among the things we’ve been able to preserve are photographs of him with fellow servicemen, his military identification tags, medals, regimental insignia, his military pay book and even handwritten pages from his wartime journal.
One of the photographs shows him among a group of fellow soldiers, with an X marking his position. It’s a glimpse of a young man alongside the men with whom he shared an extraordinary chapter of his life.
But there was much more to Charles than his military service. Before the war, he was an accomplished runner who competed in the Boston Marathon in 1937 and 1938. After returning home, he worked at the Atlantic Sugar Refinery and remained connected to fellow veterans through the Royal Canadian Legion, Portland Branch #64.
He passed away in 1988, but his story hasn’t been forgotten.
I’m particularly grateful that Mom took the time to preserve so much of his history. It gives us an opportunity to look back, ask questions, uncover details and share these memories with another generation.
Over the next few days, I’d like to share some of these photographs, documents and stories. There’s still plenty I’d like to learn, and perhaps some of you might even recognize a face or have a connection to this history please let me know.
For me, this is about more than remembering a grandfather. It’s about making sure the stories of those who served, and the lives they lived beyond their service, continue to be remembered.
Today, I remember Private Charles Edward McCormick.
Lest we forget. 
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