Full house for the launching of “Fighting from Home�

A native of Verdun, Serge-Marc Durflinger is a historian who devoted several years writing a book about Verdun’s participation in World War II. The title of his book, “Fighting From Home: The Second World War in Verdun, Quebec� is about the commitment of the people here who mobilised themselves in great numbers to work in the army or participate in the war effort by raising funds or doing back breaking work of all kinds to help our soldiers stationed overseas. Serge-Marc Durflinger summarised his book before an attentive audience consisting mainly of older residents who are war veterans. The historian called attention to the importance of Verdun’s contribution to the war effort that mobilised the Anglophone community made up of recently-arrived British immigrants as well as numerous Francophone workers in the weapons factory such as the DIL or parents of sons who had left for Europe. With visible emotion, the author cited the names which he displayed – people who played significant roles in this milestone. Durflinger recalled his childhood in Verdun and had fond memories of Wilson Park, Beurling Street and Dunver Street. He presently teaches at the University of Ottawa and now lives in the country’s capital. Shortly after his presentation, Serge-Marc Durflinger autographed his book and a long line of admirers converged. Among the crowd, we spotted Paul Beaupré (borough councillor responsible for cultural affairs), former councillor John Gallagher, Loïs Clouthier (municipal librarian), Denis Harton (president of the Society of History and Genealogy) and several of his colleagues, and representatives of the Canadian Legion. The 279-page book had 1,000 copies published by the University of British Columbia press. Each copy sells for $30.00. The author managed to sell the 60 copies that he had brought with him and took orders for some 20 more copies. We should mention that Chapters may set up a distribution arrangement for the book. The book is in English but the author would like a French version and expressed his hope that Verdun Borough could give him a hand in this possible undertaking. The book of Durflinger certainly arrived on time – just a few days before November 11 – to serve as a reminder to all that the war significantly influenced the way of life of Verdun’s families.