HONORED ON PANEL 43W, LINE 52 OF THE WALL
TED D COLQUHOUN
WALL NAME
TED D COLQUHOUN
PANEL / LINE
43W/52
DATE OF BIRTH
CASUALTY PROVINCE
DATE OF CASUALTY
HOME OF RECORD
COUNTY OF RECORD
STATE
BRANCH OF SERVICE
RANK
REMEMBRANCES
LEFT FOR TED D COLQUHOUN
POSTED ON 1.14.2000
POSTED BY: Robert Colquhoun
How can I express?
I honestly do not know if this is appropriate or not but I have thought about this young man many, many times since I saw his name on The Memorial Wall several years ago and I feel compelled to tell my story.
I am now 31 years old. I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. My name is Robert Colquhoun. Out of respect, I want to make it clear, although I am certain I have a relation to Ted Colquhoun, I am not yet sure of what it is. My research has not yet traced me to our ties.
While in my mid-twenties, I was on business training in Pennsylvania. Not being too far away, I spent one of my weekends enjoying a personal tour of the sites in Washington, D.C. I saw the White House, The Capital Building, The Lincoln Memorial, etc., etc. The one thing that has always stood out in my mind was The Wall. Firstly, I have to point out how impressed I was to see The Wall getting the respect it deserves: no smoking, no littering, quiet, patience, respect for others and most of all, respect for those who gave their tender lives in this war. I may be Canadian but I am a proud neighbour to the north.
As I am sure many people do, I looked up my surname in the listing at the entry to The Wall. Being an odd name, I was surprised to find Ted Colquhoun listed. Once I checked the location, I proceeded to slowly walk along The Wall. The emotions I felt cannot really be put into words. Although on one hand it is beautiful and eyecatching, it also awful and saddening. Again, I cannot do justice with words for all the emotions and feelings I had. Although I was specifically looking for the one name, I tried to read as many names as I could. I wish I had the ability to remember them all.
Knowing I was coming near to the pallet I was looking for, I began to concentrate for Colquhoun. I do not know if what happened next was simply because of this concentration but it certainly is something I will never forget. We who have had the honour of seeing The Wall all know how many names there are, how close together they are and how difficult it really is to simply pick out one name. Well, this did not happen. Ted Colquhoun's name jumped out at me like a bolt of lightning. I was at least two pallets away and I saw it. Out of all the names there, Ted Colquhoun stood out in my eyes. How and why I do not know. All I know is that it did. I truly felt as though he reached out for me. I knelt down on one knee and took a photograph. I reluctantly departed and went on my way.
Once back in Toronto, I had the film developed. What a wonderful photograph. Because of the glorious sheen on The Wall, the name Ted Colquhoun is etched across my very clear reflection. It is a photograph and a moment I treasure and will never
forget.
I will understand if this is not approved. However, I do want to express my gratitude and affection to all of those who gave their time and lives to this war and all other wars in the name of country and freedom.
Most Sincerely,
Robert J. C. Colquhoun
I am now 31 years old. I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. My name is Robert Colquhoun. Out of respect, I want to make it clear, although I am certain I have a relation to Ted Colquhoun, I am not yet sure of what it is. My research has not yet traced me to our ties.
While in my mid-twenties, I was on business training in Pennsylvania. Not being too far away, I spent one of my weekends enjoying a personal tour of the sites in Washington, D.C. I saw the White House, The Capital Building, The Lincoln Memorial, etc., etc. The one thing that has always stood out in my mind was The Wall. Firstly, I have to point out how impressed I was to see The Wall getting the respect it deserves: no smoking, no littering, quiet, patience, respect for others and most of all, respect for those who gave their tender lives in this war. I may be Canadian but I am a proud neighbour to the north.
As I am sure many people do, I looked up my surname in the listing at the entry to The Wall. Being an odd name, I was surprised to find Ted Colquhoun listed. Once I checked the location, I proceeded to slowly walk along The Wall. The emotions I felt cannot really be put into words. Although on one hand it is beautiful and eyecatching, it also awful and saddening. Again, I cannot do justice with words for all the emotions and feelings I had. Although I was specifically looking for the one name, I tried to read as many names as I could. I wish I had the ability to remember them all.
Knowing I was coming near to the pallet I was looking for, I began to concentrate for Colquhoun. I do not know if what happened next was simply because of this concentration but it certainly is something I will never forget. We who have had the honour of seeing The Wall all know how many names there are, how close together they are and how difficult it really is to simply pick out one name. Well, this did not happen. Ted Colquhoun's name jumped out at me like a bolt of lightning. I was at least two pallets away and I saw it. Out of all the names there, Ted Colquhoun stood out in my eyes. How and why I do not know. All I know is that it did. I truly felt as though he reached out for me. I knelt down on one knee and took a photograph. I reluctantly departed and went on my way.
Once back in Toronto, I had the film developed. What a wonderful photograph. Because of the glorious sheen on The Wall, the name Ted Colquhoun is etched across my very clear reflection. It is a photograph and a moment I treasure and will never
forget.
I will understand if this is not approved. However, I do want to express my gratitude and affection to all of those who gave their time and lives to this war and all other wars in the name of country and freedom.
Most Sincerely,
Robert J. C. Colquhoun
read more
read less