A Parry Sound filmmaker has been invited to a ceremony honoring the First Special Service Force, whose members included eight Muskoka residents.
Dubbed the Black Devils by German Soldiers, the FSSF unit formed in WWII with troops from the U.S. and Canada and they are now being awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in the US.
The FSSF had members from Muskoka – five were from Huntsville – They included Myrle T. Woolman, H.E.W. Wilks, C. H. Rowe, S. W. Burbridge and S. A. Boyd. Another member was from Bala, P P Decair, while R. C. Mann and G. R. G. Brazier were from Bracebridge.
The Stockey Centre’s Greg Hancock wrote and directed a documentary for History Television entitled “Daring to Die: The Story of The Black Devils” which played a role in the effort to have Congress recognize the Force.
The ceremony is on February 3rd at Emancipation Hall in the U.S. Capitol in Washington and Hancock has been invited to attend the ceremony as his grandfather was a member of the unit.
In recognition of this event, the Stockey Centre in Parry Sound will be showing the documentary for free on February 11th at 11:45am and 1:45pm with Greg on hand to answer any questions.