One hundred and fifty years old or should I say young? Looking across the border to the United States 241 years old, but reflecting on our recent travels to Europe, we sat and walked in houses and churches dating back to the 12th Century and more.

We worshiped in one of the last Gothic churches in Switzerland dating back to the 12th Century with a beautiful pipe organ, the musician moving between his saxophone, the piano, and finally the pipe organ.

While proud to be a Canadian, I’m just as proud to be living in Winkler and having the privilege of walking through the Bethel Heritage Park almost every day.

As one reviewer of the park said about the park, a true Heritage Experience! Besides the beautiful fountain, pavilions, and stage, there is a walkway through history with Cairns depicting those who gave their lives during the world wars. And for those serving as conscientious objectors, C.O’s and the history of immigrants who first established Winkler and an oak tree planted from the original Oak tree in Russia where a lot of the immigrants came from.

While the country Canada provides the framework for the provinces and Territories, Winkler afforded our forefathers [mothers] to set up shop so to speak, to give us the impetus to educate, worship, and the wherewithal to earn a living. Many of those who came before us as depicted on the plaques as you walk through the park, gave their lives, fasted and prayed, and through hard work, sweat, and tears made it happen.

I’m so thankful for our country Canada, our province of Manitoba, and in the community, we live. Why? Because those who came before us put God first, sacrificed everything in some cases so we can have what we have today, freedom, the ability to work at what we want and can, recreate, and worship in the church of our choosing.

When I look back, growing up on a farm and farming with my father and brother for some years, July 1, was the turning point in several ways. Yes, it is the beginning of the second half of the year, the seventh month and for the most part summer recess for those going to school.

Spraying for weeds was well underway, wheat began heading out, and of course, the fields turned yellow with the blooming canola fields.

For my brother Jack and myself and the Plum Coulee Braves fastball team, July 1, was also a form of celebration because of the ball tournament in Morden. There was nothing quite like it — a time to get together, play ball, and when finished, watch others play, but such a highlight for fastball and baseball players of all ages.

From 1958 to 1968, our fastball team minute’s record and held by Melvin Klassen one of the original Brave members shows that our teams won that tournament five out of ten years. No small feat considering the calibre of the ball of teams coming from Winnipeg, North Dakota, and of course southern Manitoba.

July 1, and the actual 150th birthday of Canada has come and gone, but celebrations will continue throughout the summer and the year. May I remind you once again, we live in the best country in the world, Canada, and let’s not take our freedoms and work ethic for granted. In some cases, our forefathers came from countries and areas where they in some case had taken those same freedoms for granted. Many left with the shirts on their backs, and not nearly all family members were able to come together or even come. Some stayed, and others gave their lives so others could go.

Yes, God bless Canada, God bless Manitoba, and God bless our homes as we continue to be faithful to Him. •