anonymous Feb 18th 2012 !⃝Most hockey fans already know the Berilko story and many realize the significance of the dates mentioned in the lyrics as a significant part of the "Leafs" history however, it is the reference to the "fifty mission cap" that is puzzeling. As with any feeble atempt at interpreting poetic licence, I will probably be wrong but, here goes. It is my belief that the reference to the cap is to one worn by an R.C.A.F. pilot assigned to the massive search for Berilko, conducted in the spring of 1951. Many of these flights were flown by the Lancaster crews stationed at RCAF Station Trenton,Ontario,not far from where Gord Downie grew up. It is quite possible that he has seen photos of these bomber crews, as this was the major news story of the day. It is also possible that his parents knew RCAF personel involved in the search. As to the hockey card, it would not be uncommon for a pilot flying on the search to take along a photo or something about Berilko to remind him of why he was up there. I am aware of this because my father was a wartime pilot who flew several Lancaster missions during the search for Berilko. These search missions were flown out of Trenton the year before I was born and are listed in his logbook. I lost my Dad last year but, still have his logbook along with his "fifty mission cap". My guess for what it's worth.
Cheers. ...... Brock
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