The Lookout Newspaper and Creative Services Team
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With more than 80 years of publishing, the Lookout has told thousands of stories, from major naval events that have defined Canada to quieter moments of service that capture the spirit of our local Defence community. As we close the final print chapter of the Lookout and move towards a digital-only publication, some members of our current team chose a piece from the past 82 years — a quote or memory that stayed long after the page was printed. Some made us laugh, others made us proud, many made us cry, and a few reminded us why history matters.
Without further ado, here are some reflections from the stories that stayed with us.
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ARCHANA CINI, DIGITAL MEDIA AND MARKETING COORDINATOR
“I have never been a religious person, but flipping a big stack of paper open to this line did feel like fate: ‘O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.’ It felt so fitting for the Lookout’s ever-changing trajectory. This poem is from a 1964 story that to me, represents precious family history, a reminder to cease worrying, and holds a little bit of magic at once.”
1964: Pacific Command Lookout Volume 09, Number 22. “THE STAR STILL SHINES” by Chaplain C.F. Waite
Men, for centuries have been fascinated by the stars. It is not hard to see why: by their beauty, if not by anything else; by their arrangement in patterns. The silent stars take us back to that first Christmas and the wise Matthew who studied them closely. These “wise men from the past” believed that heavenly bodies had a great deal to do with human lives. They knew the moon affected tides; that without the sun, crops failed. This was astrology.
There has always been a fascination and measure of wonder surrounding the star over Bethlehem. Some believe the star to be a supernova, a star which suddenly becomes extremely bright, transcending all other physical catastrophes in greatness. In 1952, Dr. Alter of Griffith Planetarium said “So far as astronomy is concerned, the story of the wise men’s seeing the star may very well be true in every word.” But no matter what the astronomers say about the origin of the star that guided the wise men, when Christmas comes, we thrill again to the story of the stars. “And the stars rains its fire, while the beautiful sing; For the manger of Bethlehem cradles a king.”
May our spirits be sensitive this Christmas to the beauty, tenderness and possibility of a recreated life as the birthday of Christ reminds us, “O star of wonder, star of night, star with royal beauty bright; Westward leading, still proceeding, guide us to thy perfect light.”
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ANDREA MODESTO, ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND ACCOUNTS
“There is a poem featured called, ‘Lines Written on Hearing of the British Cemetery on the San Juan Islands’ from 1965. It combines quiet beauty, respect for our fallen, and the still relevant question about war versus human pride.”
1956: Dockyard News Volume 01, Number 05. “LINES WRITTEN ON HEARING OF THE BRITISH CEMETERY ON THE SAN JUAN ISLANDS, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” by John H.A. Applewhaite
The wind, from o’er the Western sea, Strummed softly in each sombre free, At whose feet a sheitered glade, Lay sleeping in the shifting shade;
And then I saw each swelling mound, Where gentle graves lay in the ground.
On foreign soil, for evermore, These victims of a petty war
Would take the rest they each had earned, But still, the inward vision yearned, lo leave this lonely plot of loam And find a deeper peace–at Home.
How long must selfish nations’ vanity, Divide the World against Humanity?
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LINDSAY GROVES, CORPORATE SERVICES MANAGER
“I found an article about sailors getting in trouble for facial hair when they were posted to the East coast. The Base Commander of CFB Esquimalt ‘penned’ his reply: ‘…For Halifax men, whatever the yen / Cannot remotely compare / With the virile chest of the boys in the west / At sea all the time in fresh air.’ As the writer noted, the Base Commander ‘demands’ respect but also ‘displays a great sense of humour.”
1967: Maritime Command (Pacific) Lookout, Volume 12, Number 10. “HAIR NOR THERE”
Not too long a ago a couple sailors left the Naval base at Esquimalt to join the fleet in Halifax. Quite contrary to all rules and regulations, each wore a moustache. The Naval law in this regard says a sailor can’t wear just a moustache. It has to be the work; moustache, beard, and all. He must wear the complete works for a specific time before removing the same. (Let’s face it, half a beard and half a moustache is a heck of a looking sight.) Anyway, within a short time after their arrival at the East Coast, CFB Halifax sent to FCB Esquimalt the following message: “Two Esquimalt Port Division (EPD) Men joined the base today with moustaches… and report this is approved in your base. Request details of order s issued and authority.”
Very terse.
Captain Fred Frewer, Commander of CFB Esquimalt is a highly respected Naval Officer who demands respect and exercises considerable firmness, but he also displays a great sense of humour. It comes in handy once in a while. When he recieved this message, he quickly sat down and penned his reply: “The semi-beard has not been cleared by the Commander, CFB; With even a trace of hair on the face the Sailors are EPD; For Halifax men, whatever the yen, Cannot remotely compare with the virile chest of the boys in the West, at sea all the time in fresh air.”
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LESLIE EATON, GRAPHIC DESIGNER
“I did read the assignment and yet I chose a time period and not a specific article. When I first experienced life as a spouse of a deployed partner, the updates from articles and photos were meaningful and impactful as I counted the days. I wasn’t working at the Lookout at that time, but the gift of connection through our local navy newspaper meant that sometimes there was an uplifting surprise for me on my doorstep and bridged the distance.”
The Lookout Newspaper, Stories from Spring to Autumn 2017
