Writer was wrong to invoke late father’s memory

Re: Few remaining veterans should be honoured on Nov. 11, not earlier, Nov. 11 With respect to Paul Dolan’s letter regarding the Remembrance Day ceremony held on Nov. 7 at St. Joseph’s At Fleming: I note that Mr. Dolan closes his letter by saying he wasn’t sure how he’d explain the lack of a Nov. 11 ceremony at the residence to his uncle. I appreciate his dilemma — because I’m not sure how he’ll explain why, when replying to Lt. Col. (Ret.) Henry Clarke, city councillor, who answered respectfully and in detail, an emailed copy of Dolan’s subsequently published letter, Dolan chose to shoot back with, “Your father would be ashamed.” For someone who waxed so righteous about veterans, I find it curious that this man, on receiving an answer he didn’t like, opted to use the service of my father-in-law to take a cheap gutter shot at the family who loved him for all he was, and highly respected what he, and so many others, gave to their country when their country needed them. I’d very much like Paul Dolan to explain his relationship with Brig-Gen. Maxwell Clarke. Obviously, he must have known him better than his family did — because the Max Clarke I was blessed to call my father-in-law would never have been ashamed of anyone over a Nov. 7 ceremony. In fact, his beloved wife of 70 years was a resident of St. Joseph’s at Fleming. Using Remembrance Day as a shaming weapon against the entire family of a veteran is despicable. That’s exactly what Max Clarke would’ve thought, and all who knew him are well aware that if he were here, he’d have not hesitated to say so. Perhaps Paul Dolan will remember that the next time he climbs on the Remembrance Day high horse with a belief that grabbing for the coattails of a much-loved, highly respected, and deeply missed man will save him from a fall.

Donna Clarke, Bridle Drive