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Vol IX , No. 3, June 1999

Walter Romanow went back to a place, where on a moonlit night 55 years ago, he dropped silently on a silk parachute from the sky into an orchard in Normandy. It was D-Day and Romanow, a 19-year old corporal in the First Canadian Parachute Battalion, was among the first Allied soldiers on the ground, in one of the most crucial battles of the Second World War.

Romanow now 75, is among 60 Canadian veterans, who travelled to France, to commemorate the 55^th anniversary of the Allied Invasion of Normandy. During the 11-day tour, wreaths were laid and cemeteries, where some of Romanow's "close and dear friends" are buried visited.

His Battalion was part of the British 6^th Airborne Division, which dropped onto the eastern flank of the beachhead on the coast of Normandy. The commandos hit the ground shortly past midnight on June 6, 1944. Their two-fold job was crucial. They were to protect the beachhead and not allow German troops to break through to attack the thousands of Allied soldiers who would come ashore at daybreak from a massive flotilla of amphibious crafts. They were to capture the bridges that the Germans wired to destroy and seize them before they were destroyed. Employing the element of surprise, the commandos not only captured the bridges, but defended them against ferocious counterattacks.

After the war, Romanow returned to university and managed television station CFQC in his native Saskatoon for 11 years. He became a professor at the University of Windsor teaching Social Sciences and Communication studies. For a decade, he was Dean of Social Sciences and Dean of Student Affairs. Nine years ago he retired and settled in Edmonton following their four grown children.

President Ross Paul presented the national WUSC Award for 1999 to Windsor Political Science Professor Don Briggs. WUSC Program Officer for the South Africa Region, Asni Mekonnen was at Windsor for the presentation. International Relations Student Michelle Fitzgerald was given the Spirit of WUSC Award for her leadership at Windsor from 1997 to 1999.

This year's World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Award was presented to retiring Political Science Professor Don Briggs. The award is given to only one person in Canada each year. The president of the World University Service of Canada did not have to travel to Windsor to present the award. The WUSC president this year happens to be University of Windsor President Ross Paul. Dr. Paul noted, however, that he had nothing to do with the nominating of Dr. Briggs. He declared his conflict of interest, then sat back to applaud the enthusiastic acceptance of the nomination by the WUSC executive.

For more than a decade, and without fanfare or glory, Briggs has been the steadfast and tireless foundation of what is known nationally as the best WUSC program in Canada. Besides sending students to educational conferences in various parts of the world each year, and hosting summits and exchanges, WUSC sponsors and supports refugee students at Canadian universities. This year, 42 people have been released from detention camps in Africa and elsewhere to come to Canada to live and revive their studies.

While universities often help with breaks in tuition fees and accommodations, the student members of WUSC raise the money for food, clothing and other living and educational expenses. At Windsor, fundraising has meant operating charity bingos. Many of Dr. Briggs colleagues and students attended his farewell roast in the Katzman Lounge. One of those who spoke was International Student Advisor Richard Lanspeary, who noted when Don is working to deliver persons from detention camps in Africa, he is known to have infinite patience with women at bingos, but very little with bank managers.

Jeremy's Decision, a work based on a children's book by Windsor Composer Paul McIntyre (retired professor of Music and Former Head of the Department of Music , University of Windsor) was performed on the weekend of April 23, 1999 at the National Arts Centre (NAC) in Ottawa. The work was first performed two years ago by the Windsor Symphony at School concerts.

McIntyre and his wife, Phyllis, attended Saturday's performance and sat in the Governor General's private box. Jeremy's Decision was written by Ardyth Brett, wife of the NAC conductor Boris Brott. " I call it Canada's answer to Peter and The Wolf" said McIntyre.

The Law Society of Upper Canada honoured John with a medal in a ceremony last Wednesday, at Osgoode Hall in Toronto for his service to the Legal Profession. The Law Society has honoured 68 lawyers with the award since 1985.

Jean and Bob Chandler had a 40^th Wedding Anniversary Open House on Sunday, June 27, 1999 from 2.00 to 5.00 p.m. at 2888 Glenwood Avenue. It is hard to believe such a young looking couple could be married for 40 long years. We fellow retirees wish them our very best on this special occasion.

The Summer Discovery program offers a bursary program for families requiring financial assistance - this year the Office of Professional and Community Programs received numerous applications for bursary assistance and found their funds short. Charlene McClintock, Program Manager contacted the Retirees' Association for assistance to sponsor some children in their camp at $144 each.

Since this was a worthwhile cause, the Association offered FOUR bursaries for a total of $ 576. The Program Manager graciously acknowledged our support and sent a thank you note to the Association.

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