As Canadians pause on November 11th to remember the sacrifices of those who served their country, there are people among us who carry those memories in a particularly personal way.
Una Golding is one of them.
Born on September 27th, 1926, in Fairford, Manitoba, Golding recently celebrated her 100th birthday, marking a century that has included military service, years of travelling with her husband Alan and a longstanding commitment to the Royal Canadian Legion and its work in the community.
Her own decision to serve came at a young age. Having grown up in a family where military service and sacrifice were never far from conversation, Golding was motivated in part by the loss of an uncle during the First World War. He made it back to Winnipeg after the war but died just three days later.
"Over the years, the family always talked about him. So that was one of the reasons I really wanted to join," she recalled.
Golding's eagerness to serve was evident from the moment she became eligible.
"I was 18 on Wednesday and Monday I was in the recruiting office," she said.
She joined the Canadian Women's Army Corps, beginning her basic training in Kitchener before being posted to Quebec City and eventually transferred to Ottawa, where she completed her military career.
During the Second World War, she worked in ordnance stores in both Quebec City and Ottawa.
Golding's military journey didn't end with her own service.
While in the Army, she met Alan at an ordnance depot. They married, and after returning from overseas, he decided to make a career in the permanent armed forces.
That decision would take the couple on a 29-year journey, including time living in France and Germany, as they travelled with his military postings.
Eventually, it was time to choose somewhere to settle into retirement. Having developed friendships in Peterborough through visits over the years, the couple decided it was where they wanted to call home.
They arrived in 1974.
Golding had already become involved with the Legion in 1970 and continued that commitment in Peterborough through the Ex-Service Women's Branch. When that branch closed in 2009, she transferred to Branch 52, where she continued working alongside others on youth education and the annual Poppy Campaign.
And that commitment is still going strong.
Since 1983, Golding has been involved in the work behind the Poppy Campaign, helping prepare and distribute the collection boxes, arranging their placement in the community and ensuring they are returned so the donations can be counted.
It is a considerable undertaking, particularly during the weeks leading up to November 11th.
During PTBOCanada's visit, she was busy preparing boxes destined for Costco, while volunteers were scheduled in shifts from 9am to 6pm to help with the campaign.
Describing the work involved, Golding explained, "What we do is send out the boxes. These are going to Costco this week. And I have people three times a day there from 9 till 6."
At 100, she remains an active part of an effort that helps keep remembrance alive in the community.
This year's Remembrance Day will look a little different for Golding. Rather than attending the Cenotaph ceremony, she plans to visit Fairhaven to spend the day with fellow veterans.
When asked what she hopes the public takes away from Remembrance Day, her message was a simple but important one.
"Be thankful for the country they live in."
Golding recently marked another milestone in her Legion journey, travelling back to Winnipeg by train for a gathering connected to the organization's 100th anniversary. While there, she joined Winnipeg's Branch 1 and spent about a month visiting family and enjoying a homecoming to the province where her own story began.
A century after her birth in Fairford, Manitoba, Golding has seen generations come and go, witnessed enormous changes in the world and built a life shaped by service, family and community.
On Remembrance Day, we honour those who served, those who sacrificed and those who continue to carry their memories forward. Una Golding's story is a reminder that service doesn't necessarily end when a uniform is put away.
Sometimes, it continues quietly through decades of dedication, through the work that goes into a Poppy Campaign and through a commitment to making sure the sacrifices of others are never forgotten.
At 100 years old, Una is still doing her part and continuing to find ways to contribute.
