Jules Xavier
Shilo Stag
A frequent visitor to 2PPCLI to share stories over coffee with young infantry soldiers, Korean war veteran Peter Ewasiuk died on June 24, 2015 at the Brandon Regional Health Centre. He was 87.
Born and raised in Sandy Lake, as a young man, Peter joined PPCLI, and became a paratrooper. His military career saw him in the Belgian Congo, as well as serving during the Korean War. The father of three, met his wife of 55 years, Marion, after returning to Canada following his war service. He then worked at the Brandon Mental Health Centre until his retirement.
The funeral service at Memories Chapel, was held three days later, with interment in the veterans section at the Brandon Cemetery.
Peter’s eulogy was provided by then BComd LCol (Ret’d) Stephen Joudrey.
“When the Ewasiuk family asked me if I would be willing to deliver a eulogy, I was humbled, honoured and proud to be part of this celebration of Peter’s life,” he said.
Here’s an excerpt from LCol Joudrey’s eulogy.
“This was a man who served his country around the world, in wartime and in times of peace. This was a man who selflessly served his fellow veterans for years as not only a representative, but also an organizer and leader. This was a man who helped develop serving soldiers through his engagement and set a fine example of professionalism for them to emulate. This was a man who served his community as a volunteer. This was a man who gave of himself and who brought joy to many of us for a number of years.”
LCol Joudrey quoted from a poem written by the early 20th century American poet Edgar Albert Guest in his poem I See You’ve Travelled Some:
Wherever you may chance to be
/Wherever you may roam/Far away in foreign lands/Or just at Home Sweet Home/It always gives you pleasure/
It makes your heart strings hum
/Just to hear the words of cheer/“I see you’ve travelled some.”/When you get a brother’s greeting/And he takes you by the hand,/It thrills you with a feeling
that you cannot understand,/You feel that bond of brotherhood
that tie that’s sure to come
/When you hear him say in a friendly way/
“I see you’ve travelled some.”/And when your final summons comes/To take a last long trip/Adorned with Lambskin Apron White and gems of fellowship/The Tiler at the Golden Gate/With Square and Level and Plumb
Will size up your pin and say ‘Walk In’/“I see you’ve travelled some.”
Said LCol Joudrey, “When I recalled this poem I felt it fitting as a description of not only who Peter Ewasiuk was, but also of the life I have always imagined that he led. The poet speaks of the comfort and warmth felt by a traveller when they experience ‘that bond of brotherhood’ that comes in the open hand of friendship or welcoming smile of another person who understands the journey they have endured. I have always known Peter as one of those people who gladly welcomed anyone with shared experiences or in need of fellowship. Peter was a man who always had welcoming words. A kind and warm smile. A ‘war story’ and time for a friend, a comrade or a soldier.”
Former CWO Jim Zelazny passed along to LCol Joudrey the following sentiment which he shared during the funeral service: “Peter always made me laugh and if I was having a bad day, his presence made it all better,” offered Zelazny. “The stories he would tell you … you were never bored. I guess what really comes to mind about Peter, is he never missed an opportunity to rub elbows with the young troops and the troops loved it. As long as there was food being served, he would sit there all day telling them stories. He loved his food and loved to dine with the troops.”
Serving in Shilo from 2004 to 2008, LCol Joudrey first met Peter early in that posting and it seemed to him that he could not go to any event in Shilo or Western Manitoba with military involvement or that supported the Canadian military without seeing Peter, Danny, Tom, Dave, Doug and numerous other local veterans.
“Peter always seemed to be at the helm and leading the charge,” he said.
President of the KVA in 2005 when the Commanding Officer of 2PPCLI wanted to bring some Korean veterans out to the Battalion’s Battle of Kapyong celebrations, LCol Joudrey shared that Peter was the guy who rallied a contingent of veterans and was instrumental in helping build the ties between current serving soldiers and former soldiers that thrives on this Base 10 years later.
“These veterans come out to unit celebrations, the arrival ceremonies at the Brandon Airport and at Base Shilo for soldiers returning from oversees, to Base Shilo community events, to annual military events such as Christmas dinners and Remembrance Day ceremonies, and visit local schools,” he said. “They are key parts of every one of these events. Most of the credit goes to Peter’s past involvement, his complete engagement, his unbridled enthusiasm and his infectious optimism.
LCol Stu Sharpe, former Commanding Officer (CO) of 2PPCLI currently resides in Alberta, shared some thoughts on Peter and the impact he had upon him.
“Occasionally, we are blessed by encountering truly great people in our lives. People of vibrant character, sincerity and decency. People who touch you and inspire you,” he said. “To me, and I believe many others would share this view, Peter was one of those great men. He had such an overwhelming and positive impact on so many people. It was my privilege to know him and I am proud to call him a friend.” During his eulogy, LCol Joudrey acknowledged that Peter served in the Army with his father-in-law.
“When I first mentioned to him all those years ago of my having met Peter, his comments to me were: ‘Oh yes. He was fine fellow. A good soldier and a loyal comrade.’ Such was the lasting impression that Peter left with the many people he served with or ran into at points in his life in the Army, work as a volunteer, or efforts in support of his community.”
Another former CO of 2PPCLI, Col Mike Wright, currently serving in Ottawa, provided LCol Joudrey with the following personal reflections regarding Peter.
“The Wednesday morning coffees with Peter, Tom, and Danny were highlights. The routine: they’d go to get a haircut at the Base barbershop, where they’d usually choose the youngest and prettiest female barber, come into Bn lines, where lots of hugs were given to any young women they would see, and then come up to the Command suite for coffee with Joyce and whoever else was around,” recalled Col Wright.
“We always loved having Peter and the boys at the Regimental events such as the smokers for Regimental Day or Kapyong Day; when I’d introduce Peter and the gang they’d always get a huge cheer from the troops. Of all the farewell gifts/plaques that I’ve received over the years, amongst those that I truly treasure are the plaques that Peter proudly presented to me when I was leaving Bn in 2008 and 2013. My KVA plaques have a special place in my heart.”
“It was his smile and zest for life that are most often mentioned as the key characteristics of Peter Ewasiuk,” said LCol Joudrey. “This is often relayed by his friends and ‘partners in crime’ who gather daily at The Clay Pot in Brandon for breakfast and war stories.”
He added, “This is what the young soldiers told me of their time with Peter during beer calls at PPCLI Regimental events and what the Gunners of 1RCHA told me of Peter’s time as the Guest of Honour at their 2014 Christmas dinner. This is what three former Base Commanders of CFB Shilo have relayed to me over the last few days. This is what all of us who attended the 2PPCLI Change of Command (CoC) parade only two short weeks ago will remember of him as he sat in his chair, smiling and wearing his medals proudly.”
Then LCol Bob Ritchie, who had just handed over command of 2PPCLI and attended the funeral, provided the following insight into the character of Peter and, perhaps more telling, the ‘character’ he was: “Peter, Tom Cathro and Doug Jones received a five-minute standing ovation from the soldiers of the Second Battalion when the PPCLI Centennial Memorial Baton Relay visited Shilo on 25 August 2014,” recalled LCol Ritchie. “Peter proudly held the Memorial Baton, and as tears streamed down his face, was overheard saying that ‘the names of my brothers are in there.’Although his care provider allowed him to attend the subsequent unit smoker, he imposed a limitation of five alcoholic drinks. Peter took it in stride, quietly ordering five double highballs that were thoughtfully prepared by Sgt Ronnie Martin.”
LCol Joudrey pointed out to members of Peter’s family there was one specific person in his life who was dedicated and caring the past few years: Sgt Martin of 2PPCLI.
“Ronnie and Peter were ‘thick as thieves.’ Ronnie was Peter’s driver, his party planner, his confidante, and his ‘fire team partner.’ Ronnie Martin went above and beyond simply helping Peter to get to and from events,” he said. “He grew to be a close personal friend and is someone upon whom Peter and ‘the gang’ depended. You can rest easy knowing that Ronnie Martin, ‘had Peter’s back’ and was instrumental in filling Peter’s last few years with purpose and fellowship, and membership in a cherished Brotherhood. Thank you, Sgt Martin.”
During the eulogy, LCol Joudrey referenced a personal account about Peter Ewasiuk which he will cherish for all of his remaining days.
“It is a story that reflects the ‘fellowship’ referred to in the opening poem. It involved Peter and Tom Cathro and one of their visits to my office,” he said. “It is an encounter that I and my executive assistant will never forget. The retelling of this story brings a smile to my face every time I find someone who will listen.”
He added, “I cannot possibly retell all of the stories of how Peter has had an impact upon many of our lives. I certainly cannot relate accurately the details of his service in the Belgian Congo or in Korea. Equally, I cannot fully recount his years of helping others when he worked at the Brandon Mental Health Service.
“I cannot describe the jobs of his youth such as working as a dishwasher in 1943 at the Whitewater Prisoner of War Camp established in Riding Mountain National Park. I cannot recount the memories and stories that members of his family have of their husband, father, grandfather and Uncle Peter.”
While LCol Joudrey could not tell those attending the early morning funeral of all of the things Peter did during his 87 years on earth, what he could state unequivocally is what he meant to a great many people: “He was a gem that was cherished by a younger generation of soldiers that sat and listened to his tales of an Army that they could only imagine — a link to a Regiment’s past and Canada’s history. He was a loyal friend and comrade — dependable, stalwart and giving. He always brightened a room with his smile and his laughter — it was a pleasure to be in his company.”
LCol Joudrey closed his eulogy with the recital of another poem by Edgar Albert Guest entitled: Contemplation.
“He writes of the enduring question that each of us considers during our lifetime: Will my impact as an individual be measured? Will what I have done in my life matter?,” he asked.
I’d like to think when life is done
/That I had filled a needed post/That here and there I’d paid my fare
/With more than idle talk and boast/
That I had taken gifts divine/The breath of life and manhood fine/And tried to use them now and then
/In service for my fellow men/I’d hate to think when life is through
/That I had lived my round of years/A useless kind, that leaves behind
/No record in this vale of tears/That I had wasted all my days
/By treading only selfish ways/And that this world would be the same/
If it had never known my name.
“Peter’s life did matter! His impact can be measured!” said LCol Joudrey. “We will all miss him at future events held on the Base and in Brandon. His attendance always made them better; more enjoyable; and more complete.
“His work on behalf of soldiers and veterans has made a difference. His imprint on his friends, comrades and admirers is indelible. His legacy is secure and will live on in the retelling of our stories and the memories of our dear friend, [Sgt] Peter Ewasiuk … We Will Remember Him.”
