Few things are more enjoyable to me as an author and book publisher than watching someone take pleasure in sharing their story with others. I've had this privilege many times during my 20 years of writing and publishing books about Western Canadian people.
I've watched numerous authors read sections from their books, which I helped them publish, and I've sat beside several unsung Canadian heroes who have spoken about their inspiring lives and signed copies of a book I've written about them.
The most recent event like this was at the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum in Saskatoon, where I sat beside 102-year-old Reginald "Crash" Harrison and heard the silence as more than 100 people listened to me read excerpts from our award-winning book Crash Harrison: Tales of a Bomber Pilot Who Defied Death, and then listened even more intently as almost-103-year-old Reg expanded on his life story.
Reg grew up in rural Saskatchewan during the Dirty Thirties and went off to war in search of adventure. He survived four plane crashes while serving as a bomber pilot with the Royal Canadian Air Force out of England (none of which were his fault). Reg commented on how Canadians did not know the real numbers behind the "moderate losses" reported of men lost during the war, because the British government did not wish to cause panic among its people, and Canada reported what the British media told them.
I read the story of Reg's first plane crash, where he woke up and thought he might be in heaven. Reg talked about losing his best friend "Buddy" during the training program in England, and how he met Buddy's fiancée when he was on his way home to the farm after the war.
Although Reg Harrison does not consider himself a hero, his story is one of heroism, and it is one I am grateful to have documented for this and future generations to know and cherish.
I am thankful to the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum for hosting this author reading event and to the Saskatchewan Writers' Guild for its Author Reading Program support. Thanks to all who attended, to those who purchased books, and to Reg's daughter Laurie for her help at the event.
Much of my gratitude goes to Reg, of course, I will always be grateful to him for sharing his story with me, culminating in this book.
You can learn more about the Crash Harrison book and Reg's adventures during the war on my YouTube page as well as on Facebook.
Meanwhile, enjoy these photos from the author reading event at the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum.
 102-year-old Reg "Crash" Harrison with author-publisher Deana J Driver, July 6, 2025 | |
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| Saskatchewan Aviation Museum, Saskatoon, SK, Canada |
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| Author Deana J Driver, left, with Shelley Jensen of the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum, July 6, 2025 |
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| Part of the audience for the Crash Harrison author reading, at the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum, July 6/25 |
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| The other half of the audience that filled the room at the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum author reading event |
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| Author Deana J Driver listens as 102-year-old Reg "Crash" Harrison tells the audience about his adventures during the Second World War, July 6, 2025 |
Author Deana J Driver and 102-year-old Reg "Crash" Harrison
during the author reading at the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum, July 6/25
during the author reading at the Saskatchewan Aviation Museum, July 6/25
 signing Crash Harrison books, July 6/25 |
