My Dad was a Veteran
This photograph recently came to my attention. It’s a picture of my father Thomas Eurkwood Cottrell RCA ID# R271412 sitting on a Training aircraft (Siskin or Tiger Moth) during the second world war. Prior to the war, Dad and my grandfather Charles Cottrell operated the Don Kindlingwood Company Located at 32 Steiner Street (next to the Don River-hence the name of the company) in Toronto ON. Dad was an excellent self taught auto mechanic (repairing the family business delivery trucks, his beloved cars and just about everyone’s car, who asked for his help) before he volunteered for service in the Royal Canadian Air Force. My father was born in 1910 in Toronto (711 King Street E where King & Queen Streets meet) very near where he worked in his business after the war. Dad passed away on Dec 30 1996.
I wasn’t yet born when this photograph was taken. (Heck I’m sure I wasn’t even thought of at that time). I believe this picture was taken when he was stationed in CFB Trenton Ontario. The motto of the base was “Per Ardua ad Rem,” or “Through Adversity to the Good”. The picture could have been taken when he was stationed at a former training base near Centralia which is located north of London Ontario Canada. Dad used to tell stories about the snow drifts (north of London) being as high as the telephone poles along the side of the road. He once told me the story how he and an other mechanic struggled with his model T. Ford automobile back to camp in a blizzard. No other mechanics made it back to camp. His reward….. he and the other mechanic had to service all the planes until the blizzard subsided and the other mechanics returned to base. That was my Dad. When I moved to London Ontario in 1988 Dad would never come to visit me in the winter.. I wonder why?
Coincidentally when I was taking flying lessons in the early 1990s -without knowing it – I practice takeoff and landings at the old Centralia airport base. My son Jason and my nephew Matthew were with me that day. My flying instructor (with my permission) gave the boys a thrill and allowed them to each take a turn and fly the plane. It was sometime after this Training flight that I came to know that I -as my father’s son- and his two grandsons, actually flew a plane around the very same base that he was stationed at so long ago.
On this Veterans Day as we remember all the veterans of all the wars. I remember my father in this way, young handsome and strong. I miss you Dad. Thank you for my life. Thank you for serving your country.
To all your friends and fellow soldiers….. know you will never be forgotten.
I love you Dad -may you and your comrades be at peace in the heavens above.Your Grateful son Douglas
Douglas, you and I are close to the same age. (I’m March 1948)I have watched …I think…every youtube video you have filmed. Amazing work..fascinating. I was raised Anglican/United, and had never heard of reincarnation/past or future lives, until I was around 18. I was always a believer in ESP/paranormal, and studied acupressure in my teens (ironic because after I retired from 35 years teaching, I am now a licensed practitioner in Reflexology, using the same knowledge (but I have always been aware of energy from my hands, and developed my own technique. Before twenty). I learned about Edgar Cayce and have been a member of both the Association for Research and Enlightenment since then, and more recently Edgar Cayce Canada. You mention doing readings for Gina Cerminara..one of the first I read..Many Mansions..concerning Edgar Cayce. (Interesting name..don’t you think?)
Foolishly, I give books to friends when I find them fascinating, and have lost many that way..hopefully for someone else’s enlightenment.
I had a passion for ancient civilizations, but my school studies always focused on war strategies and conquests. My interests were more scientific..inventions, creations, writings, beliefs, medical knowledge/herbs/energy work for healing. I had always been aware of…energy, and when my mother died, saw a blue entity of light visit me, with gold, lime green and pink flashes..almost like a glass of flowing liquids..alive. My father (both my mom and dad were my adoptive parents) was definitely psychic, but quietly so. As the anniversaries draw near, the emotions stir.My family is Celtic background, and were involved in WWI, The great depression, WWII, Korean War. I am a retired teacher, now a licensed Holistic Practitioner in Don Mills area. (yes..a lightfingers..energy worker). Remembrance Day when I was teaching would bring me to overwhelming tears as we stood in the gym for the annual service. My family fought on the other side..opposed to Japan, but,when I saw the effects of the atomic bomb on Japan, I cried just as powerfully, in absolute horror at what happened to these people of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. An ancient Gingko survived ground zero, and they built a temple on that location, symbolically indicating that they also had survived. My father would be 109, and I lost him Dec. 10, 1985. I lost my mom when I was 15, just two months before President Kennedy was assassinated…all people who mattered and live on forever in our minds. Most of my family throughout the 20th century were involved in the various wars,and I have their photos in uniform. Some were cavalry, some air force, my grandfather was a sailor (I have all his old papers written as commendation by his captains. My father was spared the uniform because he was Canadian Pacific Railway half a century, and trains were vital during the war.I treasure things that were his…old train pocket watch that still keeps precise time.
I took a collection of jewellery to an antique dealer, wondering if I should insure anything. It was only then that I found out there was a Masonic ring with the red stone and gold compass/square, along with a pin that said Holy Order of the Rosy Cross. My father had been 600 photographs of the history of trains since the 1830’s, all meticulously printed on black paper in white ink, providing all the details of each engine.When I take photographs using my Canon digital elph, I often capture what people call orbs (globes of light), and when you zoom in, you can see faces of people, animals, scenery. One day, so depressed, I had heard the warnings of an approaching storm, expected to be quite violent.I live in hundred foot trees on the Don Valley ravines of Toronto (Don Mills). I was outside in shorts..in December..very mild day,and the storm rolled in, pitch black, winds violently shaking the trees and tossing things around.I photographed outside, because my property was being flooded.The winds and storm and lightning were so powerful, I retreated, got a housecoat, a coffee.Standing in my front living room window, I suddenly had the impulse to try to take shots through the huge window.Drenched, I towelled my long hair, and began to take pictures. It wasn’t until I saw them on computer, that I realized what I had captured. Clearly, there is a female with long blonde hair in the centre. The patio stones are two feet square which provides a clear size reference. (she is my size..about 5′ 5″) It appears she is “sitting in the air” as though she flew in backwards. Long transparent ankle length blue dress and sleeves. A trusted friend (27 years) lives across from me,and I printed a copy and left it in her mailbox, being well aware of “power of suggestion”.I left a phone message that I had just taken a photo during that powerful storm, and found something supernatural..and phone me to tell me what you see. When she phoned, I saw the caller identifier,and blurted out”Do you see her?” She replied, “Her????” (so naturally I thought..OK I’m nuts..not there.) then she continued. It isn’t a HER…its a THEM. LOOK BETWEEN HER WINGS!” I said…”Wings???? I hadn’t noticed wings.” As I looked at the photo, a blast of heat flowed up through my body and I burst into tears. There…between her blue wings which were rising straight up over her shoulders…was my father…in his railway cap…but as I look, there are many many more individuals in the photo, including animals…horses, dogs, cats…wolf..and other people do see them (although some are unable) I also have a growing collection of “orbs” tiny glowing stars…and some as large as 3 feet diameter, again with “entities”.Sometimes like native Indians, farmers, pets, farm scenery with horses.
Hi Nola
I read with interest your long comment,it was fascinating. I have seen the orbs you refer to and have some photos taken in different places or countries with similar effects. I was impressed with your experience of the Angel and the many faces or beings (including animals) being in the picture “by chance”. Would you send me a copy of this photo? I am collecting photos and Orb pictures for my research. You may also consider coming to our facility in Hamilton ON. We do healing energy work at our Sunday Services and have other classes on Spiritual experiences through out the week. The facility is open to every one who has had similar experiences or is interested in talking to other people about their interests and spiritual work. Hope can send me a copy of your amazing photo soon.
Warmest Regards
Douglas James Cottrell