An upgraded cenotaph honouring past and present veterans is in the making at Lockerby Legion Branch 564.
The Lockerby Remembers project will expand the current memorial and will include two walls inscribed with the names of 220 members of the Lockerby Legion who served. There is room for up to 300 members.
Annually, the names of recently deceased veterans will be added to the wall and honoured during an act of remembrance.
The existing cenotaph will be temporarily relocated during the expansion and remounted on a platform once the walls have been constructed. There will be two new flagpoles installed around the monument in addition to landscaping with grass, flowers, shrubs and trees to make the area a green space.
“The memorial is not only symbolic in honouring veterans and fostering remembrance, but it serves as a gathering place for veterans, service personnel, members, civic leaders, the community and local cadet corps to participate in acts of remembrance throughout the year to ensure we never forget,” said Lockerby Legion president Jennifer Huard.
Founded 61 years ago, the Lockerby Legion and its members understand the importance of honouring past sacrifices and acknowledging the courage of those who served and still serve today.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony took place Oct. 15 to kick off the project.
MPs Marc Serré and Paul Lefebvre announced the federal government is providing $25,000 in Community War Memorial funding through Veterans Affairs Canada’s Commemorative Partnership program.
“This is an important day,” said Serré. “The Lockerby Legion has been such a pillar in the community. Its members have done a lot of fantastic work for veterans and their families.”
He said the Lockerby Remembers project is one of many cenotaphs that will be rebuilt across Northern Ontario.
Dario Zulich is also supporting the project and is supplying services for excavation and landscaping.
In order to offset the cost of the project, the legion has launched its paver stone fundraiser. The stones will be sold to veterans (serving, retired or deceased) and their family members, as well as legion members.
Bricks are currently on sale and will be available until Dec. 31. Order forms are available at the Lockerby Legion at 2200 Long Lake Rd. Each stone costs $75 and there are limited quantities available.
Huard said work on the expansion should begin in the spring and it should be finished by summer.
