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Morley Verdier helps us remember CANDICE VETTER candice.vetter@eap.on.ca
the sky, and the rising whine of the air raid sirens, which were used for the final time. The idea to sound themwas one of Verdier’s contributions. With the 50th anniversary of the Allied victory approaching, many people wanted to knowwhere to get material to put on dis- play. Verdier took a look at his father’s small collection, and started buying some items at flea markets. “Back then they were still cheap to buy,” he says. “Since the 50th anni- versary, as well as the use of e-Bay, military items have become much more expensive.” He also credits the current Canadian Forces military seeing action in Afghanistan for in- creased public interest, including support for today’s troops. Since then he has worked professionally and voluntarily on many commemorative
War, European conflicts, and he “really goes to town”on the SecondWorldWar. HisWWII artifacts also include the Merchant Navy and Home Front. He says he has the basics and is now look- ing for weird and wonderful items. Besides participating in shows on many weekends, he also supports the Russell Legion’s Re- membrance Day services held in Russell and neighbouring villages. He is part of some reenacting, and has also started help- ing others dispose of their collections. One thing he notes in talking with vet- erans is that the process of coming out to
talk at schools and in public seems to have helped them. “In the old days vets went to the Legion because that was the only place they could talk about their experience.” The house is filled with paintings, books, drawers of medals and personal items, filing cabinets full of war memorabilia, and out- side the big items are stored. Only a special person could live with such an avid collector. Fortunately, Brenda Ver- dier is a collector too, of art depicting birds, “But I’m nowhere as bad as him,” she con- cludes, smiling.
RUSSELL l To many people, Morley Verdier is a familiar sight with his correct posture and strong jaw, and often because they’ve seen him in a vintage uniform at histori- cal events, community days and Remem- brance Services. He is there because of a passion that awoke in 1993 when he worked for Sena- tor Jack Marshal, who was a D-Day veteran. That year, the CanadianWar Museum held a parade commemorating the 50th anniver- sary of the invasion of Sicily in the Second World War to which Verdier was assigned. He recognized the value of paying tribute
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Morley Verdier with wife Brenda and small portions of his collection.
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events, and now brings small displays with a specific theme or relating to a specific combat to events across Eastern Ontario. “Most collectors concentrate on one thing, like army or badges or uniforms. I started doing it all,” he says. He was always looking for another piece to help give a more com- plete picture of life at those times, but now, “The displays and collecting has gotten out of hand,” he says. His wife Brenda cheerfully agrees. “It is ev- erywhere.” He has thousands of items relating to Ko- rea, Army, Navy, Air Force, the First World War, the War of 1812, the American Civil
to some of the defining events and sacri- fices of military history, and honouring his own father’s service. Soon he was organizing the 50th anniver- sary of D-Day in Ottawa. “I had a number of military friends who collected Second World War artifacts,” says Verdier. “We figured out how to get funding and help. For example the Lancaster Bomb- er from Hamilton’s War Planes Heritage Mu- seum and Esso paid for the fuel.” Marking the occasion was very effective in Ottawa, with the Lancaster flying low over Canada’s capital, retired veterans fir- ing anti-aircraft guns (with fireworks) into
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