Canadian Armed Forces

Major-General (Retired) Clive Milner was born in the city of Derby, United Kingdom, in 1936. He lost his father at the end of the Second World War and his mother gave him the best upbringing she could. As a child, Milner supported his local soccer club, Derby County, and even saw them win the FA Cup at Wembley Stadium. The self-described “farm boy from England,” later graduated from agricultural college and moved to Canada in search of work.

What led you to a military career?

I joined the military in 1977 at 17 years old. I was really drawn to the military after spending four years in the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. The Cadets taught me many valuable life skills but more importantly, the understanding that collaborating with others, we could succeed in completing difficult tasks that could not be accomplished by individuals. I truly enjoyed the discipline and camaraderie in the Cadets, so the military was a good fit for me.

Introduction

Lieutenant-Colonel (Retired) John Alexander was born in Miami, Manitoba. An aerospace engineer by trade, John served with the Canadian Armed Forces for 29 years. His service took him around the world and made him proud to give back to his country.

His interest in joining the military started while he was on a youth exchange through the Lions Club in Okinawa, Japan, at 16 years old. Sitting in the seat of an F4 Phantom ignited his desire to pursue a career in the military.

For Sgt. (retired) Chuck Isaacs, service didn’t end with his retirement from a long, brave, and exhilarating military career. In many ways, it began again—with a fight to be seen, heard, and healed as an Indigenous Veteran.

Introduction

On the 80^th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day (V-J Day), Canadians are called to reflect on the sacrifice and endurance of those who lived through one of the lesser-known chapters of the Second World War.

Service and sacrifice