Prairie River Junior High School students stand with Julia Mackey after the presentation. Left-right, are students Brett Hitchcock, P.R. Auger, actress Julia Mackey, Malakae Sharkawi, and Amara Drefs.

Richard Froese
South Peace News
Lifelong effects of war were dramatically presented in a one-person play to High Prairie youth.

Jake’s Gift was staged Oct. 26 at Gordon Buchanan Recreation Centre performing arts centre to students of Prairie River Junior High School and E.W. Pratt High School.

“It means a lot when someone young understands what it was we were trying to do, and that their lives might not have been so nice if the thing had failed,” says Jake, a war veteran.

Students and several Legion members were touched by the award-winning Canadian play about a Canadian Second World War veteran’s reluctant return to Juno Beach for the 60th anniversary of D-Day landings in 2004.

Performed and written by Julia Mackey, she plays the roles of a war veteran Jake and a 10-year-old girl Isabelle, who enquires about life after war.

It’s important to remember and honour the veterans and the fallen “because they died for our freedom”, Isabelle says.

During the dialogue, the veteran expresses many of his feelings.

“When you lose someone you love, the pain won’t go away,” Jake says.
“We had no idea what we were getting into.”

When he returns to Juno Beach for the first time, more emotions are spurred, especially as he and a group of other veterans visit the cemetery of the fallen.

“Most of us guys choked when we got to the entrance,” Jake says.
“It was so much more peaceful than what is was last time.”

He also shares other thoughts as he takes time beside a close friend.

“You can’t help but think why wasn’t it me,” Jake says.
“I guess we’ve got to lose one thing to win something else.
“I wish I could have traded places with you.
“I tried to live a good life for you.
“Sure missed not having you around.”

Several members of the High Prairie branch of the Royal Canadian Legion could relate to the veteran.

“I found it extremely emotional,” says Legion president Don Ebbett, who served in the army for 32 years.
“I had tears in my eye s several times.
“The thoughts of the veteran going back to Juno Beach for the first time, thoughts, feelings, and memories came back.
“I also think of the guys I was with who never came back home.”

He says he was very grateful that the play was presented to students, who were attentive to the performer during the entire 65 minutes.

“She kept them so captivating,” Ebbett says.
“They need to be made aware of war and the effects on veterans.”
“When they see it portrayed live, it’s got to touch them,” Ebbett says.

The Legion also appreciated Mackey who presented a print of Fallen Heroes, one of many given to her and director Dirk Van Stralen.

“It has meaning to us,” Ebbett says.
“The print shows emotion and goes in flow with our Fallen Heroes Wall at the Legion.”

Since 2011, Mackey has donated the Fallen Hero print on behalf of the Canadian Fallen Heroes Foundation.

Mark Norman, who started the foundation, saw Jake’s Gift in 2011 and gave her a copy of the print as a gift, which was painted by Steve Robertson, of Sooke, B.C.

“Mark then asked us to donate the print to every Legion in the communities we perform in,” Mackey says.

While many students have seen the play, it was not intended for a young audience.

“One thing that I think is true is that people seem to have a strong connection to Jake,” Mackey says.
“I think he reminds them of their father, grandfather, uncle and that somehow makes the story more personal for people.
“I’ve had older people, too, tell me that they find Isabelle reminds them of their granddaughter.”

One particular incident seems to strike a special chord with youth.

“I’m always amazed how much the students do come on board for the show, especially in the scene when Jake is changing into his Legion uniform,” Mackey says.
“The room is so quiet, and the students seem to be very moved by the play. I think they really like Jake.”

After one show for each local school, Mackey has performed the play 851 times in 221 communities, since she debuted in 2007.

For more information on the production, visit the website at jakesgift.com.

A print of Fallen Heroes is presented to the High Prairie branch of the Royal Canadian Legion. Left-right, are Legion member Murray Couch, Julia Mackey, Legion Sergeant-at-Arms John Paddon and Legion treasurer George Bennett.

Julia Mackey stars in the one-person drama Jake’s Gift for High Prairie students and Legion members.