Ideas Not a war story. This is about what comes after for veterans
Nov 10, 2025
Michael Petru, a historian at the Canadian War Museum and former war correspondent, leads an oral history project exploring veterans' post-service experiences. He discusses the significance of preserving narratives not of combat, but of life afterward. The conversation includes emotional insights on grief for fallen comrades, the unsettling transition to civilian life, and the enduring impact of PTSD. Petru highlights how military service reshapes identity and societal perspectives, reflecting on the mixed legacy of experiences in places like Afghanistan.
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End Of War Felt Like An Abyss
- Alex Polowin remembered the music he played and the mixed relief and fear when the Second World War ended.
- He described the end as liberating yet like "staring into the abyss" about what comes next.
War's Ripples Extend Far Beyond Combat
- The project focused on post-service lives to capture the long echoes of military service, not just battlefield actions.
- Michael Petru frames war's aftermath as ripples that reshape veterans, families, and society.
Halifax Riot At War's End
- Aubrey Ingram recounted Halifax rioting the day the war ended because liquor stores were closed.
- He recalled every business window smashed and seeing drunken women for the first time.