Re: Article in The Essex Free Press, April 27, 2005 – Mural Depicting Essex War Hero and Second World War Spitfire Pilot to be Lost

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I was saddened to see the mural of Jerry Billing, a Second World War hero and spitfire pilot demolished in Essex in an effort to make way for a new Shoppers Drug Mart.

Mr. Billing has become a patient of mine as a result of injuries sustained during the Second World War. It has been my privilege to come to know Jerry over the past few years. Jerry distinguished himself during the Second World War as a Fighter Pilot Ace. During peacetime and his retirement years, he has become an advocate for Canadian veterans. Through Jerry, I have become aware of many of the issues facing our aging Canadian veterans and the poor treatment they receive through our government institutions.

ABC News Anchorman Peter Jennings has described the people who lived through and fought during World War II as our greatest generation. It was these people that preserved the freedoms and rights we now take for granted. Unlike the choreographed wars we watch on CNN today, our Canadian heroes stood up against tyranny and, more often than not, against overwhelming odds.

It was our people, not our gross national product, that made us a great country and respected worldwide.

As I read The Essex Free Press news about the demolition of the World War II mural, I saw that one unidentified person had volunteered to disassemble the wall and preserve the mural. This was not done as the mural was considered in an unfit condition to preserve. The article by Brian Penstone goes on to discuss how contractors built a temporary sidewalk, which impressed the Mayor, Ron McDermott, and the chief building inspector, Wayne Mills.

I am afraid Brian Penstone’s article missed the point. Why are the most important questions not being asked? Why is this mural in poor condition? Why is nothing being done to prepare a permanent tribute to the World War II veterans and our local heroes?

We as Canadians today should be ashamed of how we are treating our veterans. We need to pay more than lip service to the people that gave their lives and risked it all for our future and our children’s future. The time is coming when there will no longer be veterans to remind us that our rights and freedom should not be taken for granted.

I believe the answer to the question is another question. Why was the mural and tribute to Jerry Billing only on the side wall of a Canadian Tire store?

-Gregory S. Jasey, M.D.
Windsor