Wayde Rowsell

Wayde Gerald Rowsell is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal, service awards and other heraldic decorations for contributions to Canada.

He moved to St.Lawrence, NL, a town renown for its common heritage, soccer excellence, fluorspar geology, and maritime history to work at the U.S.Memorial Hospital [1971].

Before election to the municipal council of St.Lawrence, he was gainfully employed as a laboratory and x-ray technician at the Memorial Hospital until it closed operations[October 1993]. His tenure as a health care worker continued at the U.S. Memorial Health Centre, a modern 40- bed hospital officially opened June 7-1995.

The rescue of U.S. sailors by local people inspired the United States Navy, the President, Congress and American People to present the U.S.Memorial Hospital to the people of St.Lawrence and Lawn in recognition of daring rescue efforts and in memory of 203 sailors lost on United States Ships Truxtun and Pollux.

The heart, tenacity and courage of rescuers and sailors standing abreast in a winter storm, biting temperatures, fierce winds, and perilous seas to assist sailors to shore was miraculous, a story of legends that received international acclaim.

Health care in the community was primitive before opening of the U.S.Memorial Hospital June 6-1954. It was a common experience to be captivated by the ambiance of the gift hospital. The 48 - Star American Flag received from the fated USS Truxtun DD 229, bronze inscription by the US President, and framed photos of the USS Pollux [AKS 2] and USS Truxtun [DD 229] adorn the walls. The Memorial echoed heroic stories of rescue, honor, compassion, inclusion and love.

He became involved in municipal politics during [1985] primarily to fight a recommendation of a Royal Commission Report on Hospital and Nursing Home Cost to curtail operations at the U.S.Memorial Hospital. Though he worked in unison as a team player for several years to protect service delivery at the Hospital, the closure of this historic facility was announced June 6-1989 - 35 years to the day after its official opening.

The lobby by successive councils was not lost in time. The provincial Government approved the construction of a regional health care centre [ U.S.Memorial Health Centre]. Mr. Rowsell officiated at the official opening. He retired in 2013 having served 28 years on the St.Lawrence Town Council, the last twenty [20] years as Mayor.

During his early years on council, he was a founding member of the St.Lawrence Heritage Society [1988] with Alana Walsh Giovannini, Leonard Slaney, Betty Kelly, Bridget Lake, Ena Farrell Edwards, Mario Walsh and former Mayor and Councillor George Doyle.

During this time he became very familiar with the history that befell a convoy of ships and the loss of hundreds of sailors. He experienced the humility, innate spirit, courage and humanity of the rescuers and women.

As a member of the St.Lawrence Heritage Society he greeted many sailors on their return to St.Lawrence during 1988 and 1992. The same welcoming community and haven where sailors were rescued from certain death and where women nursed them to resiliency and renewed health in their saltbox houses.

Through the Office of Mayor he has had the honor over the years to befriend survivors, rescuers, family and brethren in our community and has taken a pilgrimage to the grave sites of the victims of the Pollux and Truxtun at Arlington National Cemetery, County of Virginia, Virginia and Long Island National Cemetery, East Farmingdale, New York.

Annual commemorations continue in our community each year on the anniversary date of the war time loss of United States Ships Truxtun and Pollux.

Mr. Rowsell has been welcomed at notable events in our Province and the United States; guest of the United States Navy at the Christening of the sixth Truxtun DDG 103 [2007], Pascagoula, MS and Commissioning [2009] Charleston, South Carolina. He was also a guest at the United States Naval, National Building Museum, Washington, DC. Pollux and Truxtun crews and their families hold a dignified place in the heart of our community.

There is a kindred spirit, honor, love and respect between the families of the crew and our people that as survived many storms since that fateful day in '42.

This literary journey will take you to a reposeful place, and hallowed ground where patriots died for the cause of liberty. Their courage still echo the sounding shore. This narrative is about sailors rescued from certain death, sailors nursed to renewed health and resiliency and sailors who died for the cause of freedom. It is about American families who return year after year to honor a family hero. It is about an enduring love and kindred spirit that is captive.