Gordy Toews – A Local Veterans Story of Service

November 11, 2024 – In Honour of Remembrance Day

Gordy Toews, a MVSH Lifestyle resident, sat quietly, his walker beside him with a dusty, framed Certificate of Service and a trio of medals perched on the seat. He’s a reserved man, one of few words. Yet, his quiet presence speaks volumes about a time spent in service and sacrifice—a time he reflects on with a certain gravity, touched by both pride and restraint.

Born in Innisfail and raised by his mother after his father left overseas and never returned, Gordy learned resilience early on. At 18, he set his sights on the military, leaving home to enlist in the Canadian Armed Forces. Basic training brought him to Calgary, marking the beginning of a journey that would take him far beyond the life he’d known.

Gordy’s first assignment was with the Queen’s Own Rifles of Canada, an infantry regiment, where he served for three years before transferring to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) as a Weapons Technician. It was a role that suited his practical, steady nature, as he learned to repair and rebuild the very weapons that would be relied upon in conflict. Throughout his service, Gordy’s skills took him across Canada and around the world, with postings in Cyprus, Germany, Norway, and even the United States.

For 11 months, Gordy was stationed in Cyprus as part of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force. The political tension and violence there were a sobering experience. Though he doesn’t share much about his time on the island, the medal he received from the UN for this mission bears testament to the risks and dedication that marked those days. His next journey took him to Germany, where he spent 2.5 years in service—an assignment that left him with both memories and a haunting sense of unease. Gordy recalls an eerie feeling in some of the buildings there: “You’d walk in, and the hair would stand up on the back of your neck.” Despite his respect for what he learned in Germany, Gordy quietly admits, “I’m glad I went, but I never want to go again.”

Beyond his technical skills, Gordy’s years in the military also taught him about the human side of service. In his soft-spoken way, he acknowledges the camaraderie and challenges that come with working alongside so many different personalities. “Some people you can work with, some you can’t,” he said simply, a reminder of the adaptability required to serve.

One story he does share reveals the dangers of his work. Recalling an incident with a tank gun—a recoilless rifle—Gordy describes a time when a round wasn’t properly loaded, causing a shell to “cook off” from the heat. The force of the explosion was so strong it sent the gun’s rear part hurtling through 60 feet of dirt and right out the other side of a hill. His voice takes on a solemn note when he describes the power behind such machines and the importance of safety, acknowledging the unpredictable nature of the equipment he worked with.

After 13 years of service, Gordy made the decision to retire in 1976, feeling he had accomplished what he set out to do. He had achieved the rank of sergeant, a role he wore with quiet pride. In the years that followed, he turned his focus back to civilian life, becoming a business owner and later managing the Westward Ho Campground for over three decades. Reflecting on those years, he describes the military as a “big learning piece of your life,” a place that taught him skills he would carry with him forever. “You think you know everything when you’re young,” he says, a slight smile on his face.

His medals now hold the history of his service: one for Cyprus, another for his years in Germany, and the Canadian Forces’ Decoration for his overall dedication. Though he doesn’t keep in touch with old comrades, he pays his respects, supporting the Poppy Fund and the Canadian Armed Forces, honouring those who served alongside him. “I had to let it all go,” he admits. “If you don’t, you become sort of stagnant with it.”

Gordy’s story reminds us of the quiet strength and sacrifices of veterans who have seen the world’s complexities firsthand. This Remembrance Day, as he sits beside his walker with medals that hold a lifetime of memories, he urges us to “remember how lucky you are, because a lot of people died for what we have.” His words linger—a testament to 13 years of service, and a reminder of the gratitude we owe to those who sacrificed so much.

Lest We Forget.

Mountain View Seniors’ Housing