Okanagan musician honours uncle with Remembrance Day song

THOMPSON-OKANAGAN – A local musician thinks the Remembrance Day song he recorded 10 years ago about his uncle's wartime experience should underscore the futility of war for a new generation.

“I’m a pacifist myself,” Barry Mathers says. "But as I always say, we didn’t start it but we had to finish it. We couldn’t let Hitler carry one with what he was doing, it was as simple as that. I think its important for young people to realize that. It had to be done.”

Mathers and his band the Cruzeros released the song Nov. 11 on their Scandalosa album in 2005. It marks Mather’s memories of his uncle, who lost a leg soon after arriving in Italy during the Second World War, and his visits to the family when they lived in Osoyoos.

“He would always take his prothesis off right away, because it hurt him. It never fit right. I never heard him talk about the war and we didn’t ask. But he was the inspiration to me."

Mathers recently reposted the song to his Facebook page, along with a written tribute to his uncle, where it has enjoyed steady play amongst fans old and new as Remembrance Day looms.

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