Project Origin – The Passion – The Inspiration

Overview
The Beginning Dr. Brian Tennyson and Stéphane Ouellette (1988)
Fighting for the Preservation of Cape Breton Island's Heritage and Culture – Mr. Dwayne Dalton, Dr. Robert Morgan, and Dr. Kenneth Donovan (1988-1990)
Vetoing Demolition of Fort Petrie (Phase I) – The Old Sydney Society and Dan White and Associates (1988)
Vetoing Demolition of Fort Petrie (Phase II) The Creation of the Sydney Harbour Fortifications Society (1988-1990)
Vetoing the Demolition of Fort Petrie (Phase III) – The Creation of the Sydney Harbour Fortifications Society, and Obtaining Support from the Department of National Defence, and the Government of Nova Scotia (1990)
Vetoing Demolition of Fort Petrie (Phase IV) – the Creation of a Military Museum (1991-1992)

Overview

Over the past twenty years I have promoted the importance that Cape Breton played as the industrial heartland of eastern Canada, as the foremost bastion for the defense of Canada's Atlantic frontier, and I have highlighted the efforts of the Merchant Navy that sustained the Allied cause during both WWI and WWII.

The Sydney Harbour Fortifications played an important role in guarding the harbour during some of Canada’s darkest moments, and after decades of neglect that lead to structural decay and serious safety hazards, I decided to launch the Sydney Harbour Fortifications Restoration Project to preserve the remnants of a once formidable defence system.

The following is a personal account of one of the greatest challenges of my life. Many years ago, I united many dedicated grass-roots organizations, Parliamentarians, Members of the Nova Scotia Legislature, the Town of Sydney Mines, and more, to fight the good fight and preserve a vital part of our forgotten history, culture, and way of life.

Throughout the ‘Project Origin-the Passion–the Inspiration’ sections, I tell the story of how the projects were assembled, planned, and organized. I also acknowledge the names of the many that inspired me, and that helped make this initiative a reality. Without their support and positive influence, none of these initiatives would have come to fruition.

To the late Ronnie Keough and Harry Boardmore, I am eternally grateful for everything that you did for me. I thank you both for believing in me, and giving me the opportunity to play the lead role of Romeo alongside Lisa Decker, Bette MacDonald, and many others, in the play Romeo and Juliet that took place at the Boardmore Playhouse, University of Cape Breton, Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada, and for your other many acts of kindness. I will never forget you.

The Island song has always inspired me. On this site, I dedicate it to their indomitable spirit, and for the perseverance it forged in me.

The Island

(Official Song of Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, Canada) – (Lyrics)

The Island

Over an ocean and over a sea
Beyond these great waters, oh, what do I see
I see the great mountains which climb from the coastline
The hills of Cape Breton, this new home of mine
Oh, we come from the countries all over the world
To hack at the forests, to plow the lands down
Fishermen, farmers and sailors all come
To clear for the future this pioneer ground

We are an island, a rock in a stream
We are a people as proud as there's been
In soft summer breeze or in wild winter wind
The home of our hearts, Cape Breton

Over the rooftops and over the trees
Within these new townships, oh, what do I see
I see the black pitheads; the coal wheels are turning
The smoke stacks are belching and the blast furnace burning
And the sweat on the back is no joy to behold
In the heat of the steel plant or mining the coal
And the foreign-owned companies force us to fight
For our survival and for our rights

We are an island, a rock in a stream
We are a people as proud as there's been
In soft summer breeze or in wild winter wind
The home of our hearts, Cape Breton

Over the highways and over the roads
Over the Causeway stories are told
They tell of the coming and the going away
The cities of America draw me away
And though companies come and though companies go
And the ways of the world we may never know
We'll follow the footsteps of those on their way
And still ask for the right to leave or to stay

We are an island, a rock in a stream
We are a people as proud as there's been
In soft summer breeze or in wild winter wind
The home of our hearts, Cape Breton

The Beginning Dr. Brian Tennyson and Stéphane Ouellette (1988)

(Fort Petrie circa 1988, Sydney Harbour, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada)

The Green Fields of France - The Fureys & Davey Arthur

The passion began when I was a resident of Cape Breton Island. One cloudy October day in 1988, Dr. Brian Tennyson (historian/author), and I were driving along a road in New Victoria, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, and I noticed an odd looking concrete structure (that later would turn out to be Fort Petrie). I asked Dr. Tennyson what it was, and he stated that this was part of a network of WWII fortifications that were now sitting in ruins. We also found out, shortly thereafter, that Fort Petrie was scheduled to be demolished.

(Map of Sydney Harbour WWII Fortifications, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada)

It is at this time, at the age of 19, that I suddenly became intrigued by the history-rich environment that permeated this magical land. My attention was now focused on the crumbling WWII fortifications surrounding Sydney Harbour. I strongly believed that these sites needed to be saved to preserve this unique and important aspect of Cape Bretons heritage and culture. The possibility of creating jobs and generating spin-off revenues for the local economy, were also very important considerations.

Please select Dr. Tennysons Acknowledgements in his book (published in 2000) Guardian of the Gulf: Sydney Cape Breton and the Atlantic Wars (also co-authored by Dr. Roger Sarty).

Please select CBC News Coverage (1988) to view the video clip.

The song below moved me greatly at this time. The lyrics are as follows:

The Green Fields of France by the Fureys

Oh how do you do, young Willy McBride
Do you mind if I sit here down beside your graveside
And rest for a while 'neath the warm summer sun
I've been walking all day, and I'm nearly done
And I see by your gravestone you were only nineteen

When you joined the great fallen in 1916
Well I hope you died quick
And I hope you died clean
Oh Willy McBride, was is it slow and obscene

Did they beat the drums slowly?
Did they play the fife lowly?
Did they sound the death march as they lowered you down?
Did the band play the Last Post in chorus?
Did the pipes play the Flowers of the Forest?

And did you leave a wife or a sweetheart behind
In some loyal heart is your memory enshrined
And though you died back in 1916
To that loyal heart you're forever nineteen
Or are you a stranger without even a name
Forever enshrined behind some old glass pane
In an old photograph torn, tattered, and stained
And faded to yellow in a brown leather frame

The sun shining down on these green fields of France
The warm wind blows gently and the red poppies dance
The trenches have vanished long under the plow
No gas, no barbed wire, no guns firing now
But here in this graveyard that's still no man's land
The countless white crosses in mute witness stand
To man's blind indifference to his fellow man
And a whole generation were butchered and damned

And I can't help but wonder oh Willy McBride
Do all those who lie here know why they died?
Did you really believe them when they told you the cause?
Did you really believe that this war would end wars?
Well the suffering, the sorrow, the glory, the shame
The killing and dying it was all done in vain
Oh Willy McBride it all happened again
And again, and again, and again, and again

Fighting for the Preservation of Cape Breton Island's Heritage and Culture – Mr. Dwayne Dalton, Dr. Robert Morgan, and Dr. Kenneth Donovan (1988-1990)

(Moxham Castle, circa late 1890s, Kings Rd, Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada)

We Rise Again - Rankin Family

With the imminent destruction of Fort Petrie, I quickly devised a plan to prevent its demolition. Little did I know of the sheer magnitude this project would become, and the tumultuous times that lay ahead. We had to avoid another Moxham Castle catastrophe.

One brisk windy afternoon, my very dear friend, and Cape Breton resident, Dwayne Dalton and I went to explore these abandoned relics. We visited the Fort Petrie site, and climbed down the old air shaft into the musty underground, and eagerly explored the gun magazine. We both felt that we were explorers like young Indiana Jones.

(Elevation View Underground Magazine Fort Petrie Gun Battery)

We then descended the cliffs to examine one of the collapsed search light emplacements. This was during the month of December, and without paying attention, I fell full force on the back of my head. I loss semi-consciousness, and Dwayne immediately came to my assistance. I was quickly taken to the hospital and received a few minor stitches. I still have the scare to this very day, and I still remember the time I bleed on the shores of Fort Petrie.

Later that month, we visited the Beaton Institute at the University of Cape Breton where Dwayne and I conducted the initial research, and met a wonderful man by the name of Dr. Robert Morgan.

The late Dr. Robert Morgan contributed significantly to my cause. He was a visionary that inspired me to persevere in this fight. Here is a reference letter he provided to me in 1990.

Another great influence in this project was Dr. Kenneth Donovan. Among many things, Dr. Donovan and I co-authored an article published in the Cape Breton Post entitled: Destroying Fort Petrie and South Bar Another Moxham Castle, on August 4, 1990.

I have always maintained a loyalty to Cape Breton Island by ensuring that I would promote Her at every opportunity afforded to me. In this instance, I included part of the lyrics (below) in a presentation I made before to the Senate Sub-Committee on Veterans Affairs, of the Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence.

Please select Second Session Thirty-ninth Parliament, 2007-08, SENATE OF CANADA, and scroll to page 4-8, to view the presentation.

We Rise Again - Rankin Family (Lyrics)

When the waves roll on over the waters
And the ocean cries
We look to our sons and daughters
To explain our lives
As if a child could tell us why

That as sure as the sunrise
As sure as the sea
As sure as the wind in the trees
We rise again in the faces
of our children
We rise again in the voices of our song
We rise again in the waves out on the ocean
And then we rise again

When the light goes dark with the forces of creation
Across a stormy sky
We look to reincarnation to explain our lives
As if a child could tell us why

We rise again in the faces
of our children
We rise again in the voices of our song
We rise again in the waves out on the ocean
And then we rise

Vetoing Demolition of Fort Petrie (Phase I) – The Old Sydney Society and Dan White and Associates (1988)

(Cover of the feasibility study carried out by Dan White and Associates – November 1988)

Fight the Good Fight – Triumph

Dr. Brian Tennyson and I approached the Old Sydney Society to provide us with the assistance needed to preventing the demolition of an historic site, in favour of its preservation and restoration.

With their kindness in accepting our request, the Old Sydney Society guided us in developing a proposal that was submitted to the Cape Breton Development Corporation.

(Cover of the feasibility study carried out by Dan White and Associates – November 1988)

This incited the need for a feasibility study. The County of Cape Breton put the demolition on hold. The contract was given to Dan White and Associates. It concluded, based on various factors, that Chapel Point was the site most suited for restoration.

Henceforth, the Chapel Point Society was soon to be incorporated.

Media Coverage (1988)

Please select news articles below for additional story details.

SUBJECT/TITLE	DATE	MEDIA SOURCE	AUTHOR
Historical Group Halts Demolition: Old Sydney Society wanted assessment	21/09/1988	Cape Breton Post	Ron Stang
Monument or Eyesore	23/09/1988	Chronicle-Herald	Unknown
Demolition delayed as study undertaken	24/10/1988	Cape Breton Post	Ken MacLeod
Battle of Fort Petrie already lost - Sydney Mines fort may be named historical site	17/12/1988	Cape Breton Post	Ron Stang

As the fighting began, the following song was an inspiration.

The lyrics are as follows:

Fight the Good Fight – Triumph

The days grow shorter and the nights are getting long
Feels like we're running out of time
Every day it seems much harder tellin' right from wrong
You got to read between the lines

Don't get discouraged, don't be afraid, we can
Make it through another day
Make it worth the price we pay

The Good Book says it's better to give than to receive
I do my best to do my part
Nothin' in my pockets I got nothin' up my sleeve
I keep my magic in my heart

Keep up your spirit, keep up your faith, baby
I am counting on you
You know what you've got to do

CHORUS:

Fight the good fight every moment
Every minute every day
Fight the good fight every moment
It's your only way

All your life you've been waiting for your chance
Where you'll fit into the plan
But you're the master of your own destiny
So give and take the best that you can

You think that a little more money can buy your soul some rest
You better think something else instead
You're so afraid of being honest with yourself
You'd better take a look inside your head

Nothing is easy, nothing good is free
But I can tell you where to start
Take a look inside your heart
There's an answer in your heart

CHORUS (CORRECTED AGAIN ON NOV. 11, 2010)

Fight the good fight every moment
Every minute every day
Fight the good fight every moment
Make it worth the price we pay

Every moment of your lifetime
Every minute every day
Fight the good fight every moment
Make it worth the price we pay
Yeah

Vetoing Demolition of Fort Petrie (Phase II) The Creation of the Sydney Harbour Fortifications Society (1988-1990)

(Chapel Point Battery circa 1942)

Ride Of The Valkyries – Richard Wagner

As the battle for the South Side Forts was mounting, the Town of Sydney Mines, and the Government of Nova Scotia began to focus on the Chapel Point Battery, as recommended by the Unique Historical Attraction feasibility study conducted by Dan White and Associates.

White’s study indicated that it would have cost approximately $500,000 to fully restore the Chapel Point Battery to its wartime conditions. It was also predicted, on a number of factors, that this heritage site would attract approximately 30,000 people a year, with at least a $1,000,000 in spin-off revenues for the local economy.

(Site Plan – Chapel Point Gun Battery)

After a number of considerations, it was decided to incorporate the Chapel Point Military Museum development proposal with that of Lloyd’s Cove. The amalgamation of these two initiatives was called: The Sydney Mines Integrated Tourism Development Project.

A number of successful meetings were held between municipal and provincial officials. At the end of 1989, Dr. Tennyson and I organized the The Sydney Mines Integrated Tourism Development Project Conference that was held at the North Star Inn, in North Sydney. The Conference was attended by officials from the Cape Breton Development Corporation, the Nova Scotia Department of Tourism and Culture, the Town of Sydney Mines, the University of Cape Breton (formerly known as the University College of Cape Breton), and more.

In May 1989, Dr. Tennyson and I invited Dr. Roger Sarty, who at the time was a military historian with the Department of National Defence, to make a presentation to Town officials.

Dr. Sarty had done his PhD thesis on the Sydney Harbour Fortifications. It was a delight to receive him. In his presentation, Dr. Sarty drew many important conclusions, historically and otherwise, that was very favourable to restoring the Chapel Point Battery.

With all the inertia, Dr. Tennyson and I decided, along with our stakeholders, that the Chapel Point property would be purchased for a full scale restoration. The amount for the property was $75,000. Thus, the fundraising process began, and the story continues.

Media Coverage (1989)

Please select news articles below for additional story details.

Subject / Title	Date	Media Source	Author
Historical Society to Be Revived	27/02/1989	Cape Breton Post	Unknown
Sydney Mines Historical Society rejuvenated	01/03/1989	North Side Tribune	Unknown
Revival Meeting - Sydney Mines Historical Society	01/03/1989	North Side Tribune	Mel Brown
Community Futures broadens it scope	02/03/1989	Cape Breton Post	Wes Stewart
Review restoration project	14/03/1989	Cape Breton Post	Unknown
Negotiations for Chapel Point property continuing	22/03/1989	North Side Tribune	Ira Balderton
Authority on fortifications to speak	08/05/1989	Cape Breton Post	Unknown
Dr. Roger Sarty guest speaker	25/05/1989	North Side Tribune	Unknown
Chapel Point Historical Society Formed	31/05/1989	North Side Tribune	Unknown
War years in Sydney recalled	11/11/1989	Chronicle- Herald	Julie Zatzman

Vetoing the Demolition of Fort Petrie (Phase III) – The Creation of the Sydney Harbour Fortifications Society, and Obtaining Support from the Department of National Defence, and the Government of Nova Scotia (1990)

(Letter of Victory from the Honourable Bill McKnight vetoing the Demolition of Fort Petrie, August 29, 1990)

You've Got Another Thing Comin - Judas Priest

While progress was making its way for the development of the Chapel Point Battery on the South side of Sydney Harbour, a war was mounting on the North side between the factions that wanted to preserve the forts and those that wanted them demolished.

To deal with this impending disaster, I directed Dr. Brian Tennyson to assume full presidential responsibilities for operating the day-to-day operations of the Chapel Point Society.

I then turned my attention to Fort Petrie. The County of Cape Breton wanted to proceed with the demolition of Fort Petrie, the South Bar Battery, and the Fire Command Post with the assistance of the local militia to avoid direct costs to the municipality.

For the militia to proceed, the County needed the approval of the Department of National Defence.

To counter this situation, I assembled a team of key individuals that would focus on preserving the South side batteries. As a part of a much larger strategic plan, I incorporated the Sydney Harbour Fortifications Society (SHFS) on June 25, 1990. I assumed the Presidency of the organization, and appointed (the now late) Mrs. Patricia Grezel as the Secretary–Treasurer. She served the organization well, and was very dedicated to the cause.

From this moment on-ward, politics became the governing force. Several letters were written to government departments. Petitions were circulated. The fight for its demolition even was debated in the House of Commons in 1990.

However, with perseverance, I was able to persuade the Honourable Bill McKnight, Minister of National Defence, to veto demolition of Fort Petrie.

Please select Minister McKnight’s Letter of Victory for viewing.

In October 1990, I arranged a successful meeting with Minister Roland Thornhill, Minister, Department of Tourism and Culture, Government of Nova Scotia. I invited Dr. Brian Tennyson and Councilor Murray Johnston, Town of Sydney Mines, to attend.

My objective was to acquire moneys for both Fort Chapel Point and Fort Petrie. At this point, Minister Thornhill agreed to provide me with “half-the-purchase-price” amounts for each fortress.

Please select letter of agreement provided by Minister Thornhill for viewing.

With the demolition veto in place, and with the funding process underway to purchase both Fort Petrie and Chapel Point, the third phase was achieved.

Media Coverage (1990)

Please select news articles below for additional story details.

Subject/Title	Date	Media Source	Author
Shore batteries should be kept and made into tourist attraction	06/02/1990	Cape Breton Post	Gordon Sampson Letter to the Editor
Shoreline forts viewed as tourism potential	09/02/1990	Cape Breton Post	Dan MacGillivray
Abandonned fortifications around Sydney Harbor deteriorating emblems of Cape Breton's naval role	10/10/1990	Cape Breton Post	Brian Tennyson Editorial
Halifax's Forts- Response indicates public's concern	10/10/1990	Chronicle-Herald	Lorna Inness
Society wins support to town council	06/03/1990	Cape Breton Post	Unknown
Sydney Mines Town Council holds special meeting	07/03/1990	North Side Tribune	Unknown
Group tries to shore up crumbling fortifications	12/03/1990	Chronicle-Herald	Laura Haas
Fort demolition won't be delayed	19/04/1990	Cape Breton Post	Doyle MacKinnon
Gun batteries may hold tourist potential: MP	03/05/1990	Cape Breton Post	Unknown
Save Fort Petrie group needs council's help	03/05/1990	Cape Breton Post	Unknown
45 year later, memories still strong - Cape Breton prospered while war raged	08/05/1990	Cape Breton Post	Noreen March
Victory in Europe meant wild celebration at home	08/05/1990	Cape Breton Post	Noreen March
Forts should be heritage sites	12/05/1990	Cape Breton Post	Patricia Grezel Letter to the Editor
Preservation of forts would be progressive	23/05/1990	Cape Breton Post	Charlie Musial
Shore batteries are important local heritage	01/06/1990	Cape Breton Post	Gordon Sampson Letter to the Editor
Dingwall undaunted as council rejects bid to save historic site	26/06/1990	Cape Breton Post	Mary E. Macintyre
The Home Front was a reality for Canadians on the sea coast	03/07/1990	Northside Weekly	Athelia C. Billard
Moratorium sought on demolition of Fort Petrie	10/07/1990	Cape Breton Post	Unknown
Fort Petrie ideal tourist attraction	27/07/1990	Cape Breton Post	Hugh A. MacLellan
Shore batteries vital part of island's cultural heritage	04/08/1990	Cape Breton Post	Kenneth Donovan & Stéphane Ouellette
Sydney Harbor's historic fortifications now face a siege from within	15/08/1990	Cape Breton Post	Hugh A. MacLellan
Fort issue requires public forum	18/08/1990	Cape Breton Post	William O'Shea Letter to the Editor
Defence Minister halts demolition of Fort Petrie	07/09/1990	Cape Breton Post	Mary E. Macintyre
Preserve it or level it	08/09/1990	Cape Breton Post	Unknown
Fort Society actively working to get money	17/09/1990	Cape Breton Post	Stéphane Ouellette
Fort Petrie saga continues	19/07/1990	Cape Breton Post	Mary E. Macintyre
Johnston encouraged	28/09/1990	Cape Breton Post	Unknown
County councillors should help the effort to preserve shore forts	01/10/1990	Cape Breton Post	Pat Grezel
Satanic signs in old fortifications worry residents	17/10/1990	Cape Breton Post	Mary E. Macintyre
Swords drawn over Chapel Point project	17/10/1990	Cape Breton Post	Julie Collins
Thornhill leery of flap over fort	18/10/1990	Cape Breton Post	Mary E. Macintyre
Fort Petrie controversy won't go away	22/10/1990	Cape Breton Post	Steve MacInnis
Satanic scrawlings no joke in Low Point	24/10/1990	Cape Breton Post	Doyle MacKinnon
Second World War fort made safe	24/10/1990	Chronicle-Herald	Unknown
Hazardous holes fixed at Fort Petrie	24/10/1990	Cape Breton Post	Steve MacInnis
Tourism department offers funding to Chapel Point Project	07/11/1990	North Side Tribune	Eddy Binns
Dingwall joins forces with foes of fortifications	08/11/1990	Cape Breton Post	Steve MacInnis
Fort Petrie Solution	10/11/1990	Cape Breton Post	Unknown
Media reports didn't show serious cause for concern over safety at fortifications	12/11/1990	Cape Breton Post	Beth Latham
Province to help fund development of Chapel Point property	14/11/1990	Cape Breton Post	Julie Collins
MLA (Paul MacEwan) proposes abandoned Lingan fortification become focus for societies instead of Fort Petrie	15/11/1990	Cape Breton Post	Dan MacGillivray
RCMP say - Satanic cult just rumor	30/11/1990	Cape Breton Post	Dan MacGillivray
Militia won't demolish fort	30/11/1990	Cape Breton Post	Mary E. Macintyre
Councillor Abraham says - It's time council destroyed fort	03/12/1990	Cape Breton Post	Unknown
Fort Petrie defended as tourist attraction	03/12/1990	Cape Breton Post	John Campbell
Bulldozers to level South Bar fortications	11/12/1990	Cape Breton Post	Doyle MacKinnon
Fortifications society says - Destroying site tragic mistake	11/12/1990	Cape Breton Post	Mary E. Macintyre
Fond memories of Fort Petrie in wartime color the case for historical preservation	20/10/1990	Cape Breton Post	Duncan MacDougall

The song below expresses the political mood of the day. The lyrics are as follows:

You've Got Another Thing Comin - Judas Priest

One life I'm gonna live it up
I'm takin' flight I said I'll never get enough
Stand tall I'm young and kinda proud
I'm on top as long as the music's loud

If you think I'll sit around as the world goes by
You're thinkin' like a fool cause it's a case of do or die
Out there is a fortune waitin' to be had
You think I'll let it go you're mad
You've got another thing comin'

That's right here's where the talkin' ends
Well listen this night there'll be some action spent
Drive hard I'm callin' all the shots
I got an ace card comin' down on the rocks

If you think I'll sit around while you chip away my brain
Listen I ain't foolin' and you'd better think again
Out there is a fortune waitin' to be had
You think I'll let it go you're mad
You got another thing comin

In this world we're livin' in we have our share of sorrow
Answer now is don't give in aim for a new tomorrow

Oh so hot no time to take a rest yeah
Act tough ain't room for second best
Real strong got me some security
Hey I'm a big smash I'm goin' for infinity yeah

Vetoing Demolition of Fort Petrie (Phase IV) – the Creation of a Military Museum (1991-1992)

(Fort Petrie Military Museum, Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, circa 1998)

Broken Heroes – Saxon

While some of the members of my team were researching information mainly at the Beaton Institute, University of Cape Breton, Sydney, Nova Scotia, and the archives located at the Department of National Defence, in Ottawa, others continued the fight through the Justice System. Several court injunctions were obtained, and the demolition was finally thwarted.

Eventually, Mr. Paul and Mrs. Patricia Grezel (Board Members that I appointed to the Sydney Harbour Fortifications Society) purchased Fort Petrie for approximately $15,000.

This was a landmark victory that eventually resulted in the development of this nationally recognized military museum located in New Victoria, Cape Breton.

We finally had a secured site with the Grezel’s purchase of Fort Petrie, and with the $75,000 Dr. Tennyson and I raised, we brokered the purchase of the Chapel Point Battery, with the intent of fully restoring her to WWII condition, as Dan White’s feasibility study had highly recommended.

And the saga continued…

Media Coverage (1991-1992)

Please select news articles below for additional story details.

Subject/Title	Date	Media Source	Author
Restoration of fort would be leap back	24/01/1991	Cape Breton Post	C. Lloyd McCallum
Harbor forts part of heritage to be preserved	24/01/1991	Cape Breton Post	Barbara and Albert Mickey
Fate of fortifications appears to be sealed	02/01/1991	Cape Breton Post	Steve MacInnis
Fortification Society still hopes to hold the fort	04/02/1991	Cape Breton Post	John Campbell
Time now growing short for action by community to preserve fortifications	05/02/1991	Cape Breton Post	Hugh A. MacLellan
Demolition tender	07/02/1991	Cape Breton Post	Unknown
Hugh Allan MacLellan argues -Fortification can't be destroyed	19/02/1991	Cape Breton Post	Mary E. Macintyre
Fortifications under fire	01/03/1991	Chronicle-Herald	Malcolm Dunlop
Tourism Project launched in town of Sydney Mines	02/03/1991	Cape Breton Post	Unknown
Chapel Point battery to get facelift	09/03/1991	Chronicle-Herald	Malcolm Dunlop
Chapel Point Battery Tourist Project Launched	13/03/1991	North Side Tribune	Unknown
Heritage group may yet win Battle of Fort Petrie	01/05/1991	Cape Breton Post	John Campbell
Potential tourist attractions recall harbor's military past	21/05/1991	Cape Breton Post	Wes Stewart
Historical group slams demolition	23/05/1991	Cape Breton Post	Mary E. Macintyre
Fort Petrie may become a museum	17/08/1991	Cape Breton Post	Dan MacGillivray
Group Fights to save historic forts	19/08/1991	Chronicle-Herald	Malcolm Dunlop
Fort society wants peace says president	26/08/1991	Cape Breton Post	John Campbell
Chapel Point Society is holding the fort	30/08/1991	Cape Breton Post	John Campbell
Judge wants some facts - Fort Petrie protected another three weeks	27/09/1991	Cape Breton Post	Steve MacInnis
Fire Command Post Demolished	19/10/1991	Cape Breton Post	Mary E. Macintyre
Veterans back fort restoration	12/09/1992	Cape Breton Post	Dan MacGillivray
Study looking to restore Battery as tourist attraction on Northside	11/10/1992	Cape Breton Post	Wes Stuart
Officer vividly remembers night Caribou torpedoed	13/10/1992	Cape Breton Post	Wes Stuart

The song Broken Heroes, by Saxon, communicates my sentiments and a sort of “Raison d’être” very well. It goes as follows:

Broken Heroes

They came to fight for glory in their thousands
Young men with their dreams
They died before the guns for their country
A book of faded pictures, broken dreams

Where are they now
Where are they now
Where are they now
Where are they now
The broken heroes

Uncle Sam is waiting with the draft card
He says you've got to fight the Vietcong
The stations full of flags and rule Britannia
The engine pulls you out towards the Somme

Where are they now
Where are they now
Where are they now
Where are they now
The broken heroes
The broken heroes
The broken heroes
The broken heroes
Where are they now
Where are they now
Where are they now
The broken heroes

The pipes are calling young men back to Belfast
The general says you march to Stalingrad
You rode into the valley with the hundred
Seven lonely graves on Goose Green

Where are they now
Where are they now
Where are they now
Where are they now
The broken heroes
The broken heroes
The broken heroes
The broken heroes
Where are they now
(Repeat to end)

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