Sally’s Story: A Remembrance Day Address (Psalm 71:1-2)

By Captain Michael Ramsay. Presented to the Premier of Saskatchewan, the Mayor of Swift Current, our Federal MP, Royal Canadian Legion Branch #56 and their guests on 11 November 2010 and to The Swift Current Corps 13 November 2010 and Alberni Valley Ministries 10 November 2019.[1]

On November 11th we remember our friends and families who served in the World Wars, Korea, peacekeeping missions and subsequent conflicts in the 20th and 21st centuries. My own grandfather returned home to Saskatchewan from California, where he was working when the Second World War broke out, to join the Canadian Army. He eagerly grabbed some friends from Cut Knife and they all signed up for our armed forces. Of the men that enlisted that day with my grandfather, I believe, only he lived to see the end of the war. John 15:17, in the Bible, records: ‘Greater love has no man than to lay down his life for his friends’

The Salvation Army was also present in both these wars – actually in the trenches -offering material and emotional support and the love of God to the soldiers. I am humbled and honoured to share with you today some of what the Lord has done through the Canadian Salvation Army in the conflicts of 20th Century.

During both World Wars and throughout the Cold War, The Salvation Army was very active. We provided military personnel with basic comforts and helped maintain morale by establishing leave centres for rest and recreation providing a degree of civility amidst the loneliness and dehumanizing conditions of war. Psalm 71:1 says, “In you, O LORD, have I taken my refuge…” and this is how we were able to be used by God, like Psalm 71:2 says, to rescue and deliver others. As an Officer in The Salvation Army, I am very thankful for that opportunity we have had to serve.

In World War I, The Canadian Salvation Army ran hundreds of well-equipped huts, canteens, and rest facilities, as well as hostels in Britain, France and Belgium. At these hostels our war-weary troops could bathe, do laundry, eat decent food, and prepare themselves physically, mentally, and spiritually for the always-difficult return to the trenches. And when they returned to those trenches on the front lines they were met with more Salvation Army Officers providing refreshments and amenities. Canadian soldier Will Bird wrote: “Every front-line soldier of World War I knew that his true friend was the man in The Salvation Army canteen.”

It is at this time in WWI that we actually got our nickname: ‘Sally Ann’. The troops coined this affectionate nickname ‘Sally Ann' to describe The Salvation Army and also our Red Shield logo that we all know – it began as the symbol of our First World War relief efforts. Also – Doughnuts: did you know that doughnuts were first introduced to North America through Salvation Army canteens. Next time you go through the Timmy’s Drive Thru think of a veteran and our Wartime service to God through them. Psalm 71:1 says, “In you, O LORD, have I taken my refuge…” and this is how we were able to be used by God, like Psalm 71:2 says, to rescue and deliver others. As an Officer in The Salvation Army, I am very thankful for that opportunity we have had to serve.

In World War I, on the home front, in Canada, The Salvation Army Home League sent tens of thousands of comfort packages containing socks, underwear, Christmas presents, and other items directly to the Salvation Army chaplains for distribution to Canadian troops right in the trenches. Salvationists also visited the homes of deceased soldiers in Canada regularly to look into the welfare of their dependants and comfort many bereaved families.

The Salvation Army in 1918 organized our first ever nation-wide appeal for funds – and this was to assist returning soldiers in the often-disorienting days following their discharge. From this, we raised enough money to open hostels across Canada, each offering a quiet retreat for soldiers on their way home or awaiting demobilization. Psalm 71:1 says, “In you, O LORD, have I taken my refuge…” and this is why we were able to be used by God, like Psalm 71:2 says, to rescue and deliver others. As an Officer in The Salvation Army, I am very thankful for that opportunity we have had to serve.

Now when war broke out again in September 1939, we were there. Our responsibilities again included showing movies, establishing canteens, organizing recreational activities such as concerts and sporting events, providing reading material and stationery. At our leave centres in London, soldiers could obtain a bed, a breakfast, and a bath. We comforted the wounded and even helped bury the dead. In short, we did whatever was necessary to help maintain military morale. The Salvation Army instructed its supervisors to “care for the body, mind and soul of every [service person] irrespective of creed or personality.” This is still our mandate today. As historian Scott Young has written, the Salvation Army “provided the reassuring link between the fighting man and his world of peace and kindness and sanity.”

During Canadian training exercises in Britain, Sally Ann's mobile canteens supplied tired men with coffee, donuts, chocolates, and even cigarettes free of charge. The Salvation Army rest camp for the Royal Canadian Navy in Northern Ireland brought with it one very significant consequence: a local judge noted that following the establishment of our facility that the number of Canadian sailors appearing before the courts had dropped by 50%! Psalm 71:1 says, “In you, O LORD, have I taken my refuge…” and this is why we were able to be used by God, like Psalm 71:2 says, to rescue and deliver others. As an Officer in The Salvation Army, I am very thankful for that opportunity we have had to serve.

In July 1943, when Canadian troops participated in the Allied invasion of Sicily, The Sally Ann was there. We helped alleviate Canadians’ stressful experience of sustained combat. A number of Salvation Army personnel landed immediately after the initial assault.

When, in early September, the Allies invaded the Italian mainland, Sally Ann again quickly followed, establishing a Red Shield Club, a hostel, and canteens. And as more Canadian forces arrived in Italy, more Salvation Army supervisors came with them. In June 1944 came the invasion of Normandy.

Within days of D-Day, The Salvation Army was already set up and at work: we spread heavy tarps over the holed roofs and shattered walls of damaged buildings, proclaimed these sites ‘movie theatres', and welcomed hundreds of exhausted Canadian soldiers in need of a laugh or distraction. The Salvation Army then set up Rec. Centres, one by one in the larger cities, as the Allies liberated them. Salvation Army personnel were attached directly to many units.

During this push for the liberation of Europe each Salvation Army Officer was equipped with a large truck that carried a portable generator, movie projector, turntable, radio, sports equipment, games, and canteen supplies, etc.

In all, The Salvation Army’s Second World War relief effort in Canada and overseas provided Canadians with hundreds of millions of sheets of writing paper and envelopes, nearly 40 million hot beverages from mobile canteens, and about 35 million meals. Almost 70 million people attended Salvation Army films and concerts. The last Salvationist active in the War did not return home until December 1946. In an official letter of thanks following the end of the War in Europe, General Harry Crerar, former commander of the First Canadian Army, wrote: “It would be easier to forget one's name than fail to remember the times without number when the Salvation Army was, in truth, our comforter and friend.”

With the onset of the Cold War, The Salvation Army continued its role as friend to Canada’s military opening many hostels, snack bars, and Rec. Centres for Canadians stationed in Germany with NATO forces. The Salvation Army mobile canteens followed Canadian troops on NATO manoeuvres and served refreshments in the field throughout the Cold War. The Salvation Army also helped incoming military families adjust to their new lives overseas. Many experienced culture shock and marital problems: we assisted with drop-in centres and counselling services. We served alongside our troops throughout the Cold War. Psalm 71:1 says, “In you, O LORD, have I taken my refuge…” and this is how we were able to be used by God, like Psalm 71:2 says, to rescue and deliver others. As an Officer in The Salvation Army, I am very thankful for that opportunity we have had to serve.

During the deployment of Canadian forces to the Persian Gulf, The Salvation Army sent ‘sunshine bags' of small gifts and comforts to each of the several thousand Canadians serving in that war zone.

When Ottawa later announced that Canadian troops in Europe would be coming home. The Salvation Army stayed with them until the very end. Brigadier-General C.D. Thibeault, Commander, Canadian Forces Europe, wrote "for us, the Salvation Army symbol has always stood for a little piece of Canada and a place of peace."

For more than a century now – we have been active since the Boer War - The Salvation Army has been allowed to provide a small ‘home away from home’ for Canada’s military personnel. Psalm 71:1 says, “In you, O LORD, have I taken my refuge…” and this is how we were able to be used by God, like Psalm 71:2 says, to rescue and deliver others. As an Officer in The Salvation Army, I am very thankful for that opportunity we have had to serve. All of our refuge and strength –or course – comes through Jesus Christ who lived, died, and rose again so that we all may live and live life abundantly. I pray that each one of us will continue to seek our refuge in the Lord and that He may use each all to offer His refuge to others in every aspect of our lives. If you have never dedicated your life to serving God and others, there really is no better time to turn to God for His protection and refuge than today.

Let us pray: Lord, Thank you for all that you have done in the lives of our military personnel and our veterans. Thank you so much for the opportunity The Salvation Army has had to serve you through serving them while they served for us. Thank you Lord that as you have already provided for our salvation between the cross and the empty tomb, you are indeed our refuge and strength and that as we turn to you, you will be our shelter in times of need. We pray this in Jesus’ name, Amen.

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[1] This is the revised text for Sunday 13 November 2010. The original text of the speech to the Legion on11 November 2010 is on-line at http://renewnetwork.blogspot.com/2010_11_01_archive.html#4283455580704371948 This address was compiled with files from Dr. Serge Durflinger, "A Touch Of Home: The War Services of the Salvation Army Dispatches: Backgrounders in Canadian Military History". Available on-line at http://www.civilization.ca/cwm/explore/military-history/dispatches/a-touch-of-home-the-war-services-of-the-salvation-army