My dear soldier friend

11 November 2020. The Memorial. Victoria, B.C.

11 November 2020.
The Memorial. Victoria, B.C.

2020-11-11

My dear soldier friend,

Again, I see you upon the high ground ever watchful.

Each year we visit. Your sharp-eyed gaze has again passed across these horizons a hundred tens of thousands of times…Your watch… infinite…embedded within you, all that have passed, all here this day and all you know who will follow…this due…to the peace you brought, one day, short days ago. We remember you and yours…your constant vigil…for this…thank you, thank you, thank you.

11 November 2020. The Memorial. Victoria, B.C.

11 November 2020.
The Memorial. Victoria, B.C.

I see too your bronzed image has aged not but a day as we who are left come closer to our guard. I have learned much from you…your watch…your hope. Your experience, your service has provided our peace. Long may it remain for us to keep its warmth and share its comfort with others.

Know too that I am grateful for this ground on which we stand together…your ever-watchful eyes, my thoughts with you. Keep safe and thank you again for the enduring voices you have given, to all people, on this day that we remember…your watch.

Until we chat again…

A dear friend

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All images by P. Ferguson 11 November 2020


About The Author

pferguson
Paul has worked with the Paradigm Motion Picture Company since 2009 as producer, historian and research specialist. Paul first met Casey and Ian WIlliams of Paradigm in April 2007 at Ieper (Ypres), Belgium when ceremonies were being held for the re-dedication of the Vimy Memorial, France. Paul's sensitivity to film was developed at an early age seeing his first films at RCAF Zweibrucken, Germany and Sardinia. Paul returned to Canada in 1967 and was captivated by David Lean's "Lawrence of Arabia" and "Bridge on the River Kwai". Over time Paul became increasingly interested in storytelling, content development, character, direction, cinematography, narration and soundtracks. At the University of Victoria, Paul studied and compared Japanese and Australian film and became interested in Australian film maker Peter Weir and his film "Gallipoli" (1981). Paul was inspired when he learned Weir visited the beaches, ridges and ravines of the peninsula. "Gallipoli", the film, led Paul on many journeys to sites of conflict in England, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Malta, Hawaii, Gallipoli, North Macedonia and Salonika. When Paul first watched documentary filmmaker Ken Burns, "The Civil War", Paul understood how his own experience and insight could be effective and perhaps influential in film-making. Combining his knowledge of Museums and Archives, exhibitions and idea strategies with his film interests was a natural progression. Paul thinks like a film-maker. His passion for history and storytelling brings to Paradigm an eye (and ear) to the keen and sensitive interests of; content development, the understanding of successful and relational use of collections, imagery and voice. Like Paul's favorite actor, Peter O'Toole, Paul believes in the adage “To deepen not broaden.” While on this path Paul always remembers his grandmother whose father did not return from the Great War and how his loss shaped her life and how her experience continues to guide him.

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