Will anyone offer location for plaque?
Those of you who pay attention to my scribblings here every week may remember that my last column was about a war hero from Newcastle by the name of James Cassidy.
Cassidy was the second officer on a ship called the Pink Star, who gave his life to save the lives of over 20 of his shipmates in 1941 during the Second World War.
An RCMP officer from B.C. named Larry Burden was in town last week, researching the life of Cassidy for a book.
Burden was upset the community had never recognized Cassidy's heroism.
I suggested perhaps an elected official might help raise funds to buy this hero a plaque.
No one responded. That is, none of our elected officials responded, but a Newcastle businessman did. Moved by the tale of Cassidy's heroism, he said if I got a plaque made up, he would foot the bill for it. It was that easy.
Here's what I would like to see on the plaque:
In memory of James Howard Cassidy, a hero of the Second World War, who gave his life to save 24 of his shipmates in 1941.
Born in Newcastle in 1912, Cassidy served with the Merchant Marine as second officer of the Pink Star, torpedoed off the coast of Greenland on Sept. 19, 1941.
Twelve of the crew of 36 and all but one of her lifeboats were lost. The rest scrambled for the safety of the remaining lifeboat. The captain of the Pink Star later related how Cassidy swam up to the lifeboat and saw how overcrowded the small vessel was.
The others reached out to take Cassidy aboard, but he swam out of reach.
"Go on, I'm all right," Cassidy told his shipmates. "So long."
Cassidy swam away and the ocean took him.
Cassidy was recommended for the George Cross, the second highest award the British Empire gives out for bravery, but never received it.
This plaque is dedicated to the memory of James Howard Cassidy, a Newcastle man who served his country, his community and his comrades with valour.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
After 65 years, a local war hero will finally be recognized.
But now the question is, where to put the plaque when it's finished? So, I'm calling upon our elected officials again. Can anybody, be it an MP, MLA or mayor, find a place for this plaque where people can see it and remember?
Remembrance Day is 33 days away.
Can't we all pull together to honour one of our own?
Cassidy was the second officer on a ship called the Pink Star, who gave his life to save the lives of over 20 of his shipmates in 1941 during the Second World War.
An RCMP officer from B.C. named Larry Burden was in town last week, researching the life of Cassidy for a book.
Burden was upset the community had never recognized Cassidy's heroism.
I suggested perhaps an elected official might help raise funds to buy this hero a plaque.
No one responded. That is, none of our elected officials responded, but a Newcastle businessman did. Moved by the tale of Cassidy's heroism, he said if I got a plaque made up, he would foot the bill for it. It was that easy.
Here's what I would like to see on the plaque:
In memory of James Howard Cassidy, a hero of the Second World War, who gave his life to save 24 of his shipmates in 1941.
Born in Newcastle in 1912, Cassidy served with the Merchant Marine as second officer of the Pink Star, torpedoed off the coast of Greenland on Sept. 19, 1941.
Twelve of the crew of 36 and all but one of her lifeboats were lost. The rest scrambled for the safety of the remaining lifeboat. The captain of the Pink Star later related how Cassidy swam up to the lifeboat and saw how overcrowded the small vessel was.
The others reached out to take Cassidy aboard, but he swam out of reach.
"Go on, I'm all right," Cassidy told his shipmates. "So long."
Cassidy swam away and the ocean took him.
Cassidy was recommended for the George Cross, the second highest award the British Empire gives out for bravery, but never received it.
This plaque is dedicated to the memory of James Howard Cassidy, a Newcastle man who served his country, his community and his comrades with valour.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
After 65 years, a local war hero will finally be recognized.
But now the question is, where to put the plaque when it's finished? So, I'm calling upon our elected officials again. Can anybody, be it an MP, MLA or mayor, find a place for this plaque where people can see it and remember?
Remembrance Day is 33 days away.
Can't we all pull together to honour one of our own?
posted by Street Wise Guy | 4:35 PM
1 Comments:
Y'know. Maybe the Seaman's Hospital would be the spot for it. It'd have to be an important place, one with nautical but non-military leanings, and best to be non-religious unless you knew which church's congregation he was a part of.
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