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| Retired soldiers and dignitaries witness the park opening ceremony. |
Located at 50 and 51 Streets and 51 Avenue, the Veterans
Memorial Park features three large black granite stones engraved with the names
of local citizens who died in both world wars. The park is professionally
landscaped with stone entrance gates at both sides and a few benches. Although
construction started in April, Latta told the gathering that the process
actually began in 2004 when town council did some research to learn more about
local veterans who served and died for Canada.
“We wanted to have an appropriate place of
honour where residents could come to pay their respects,” said Latta, He
investigated the possibilities of acquiring land and applying for government
grants with the intention of constructing a veterans memorial park. Despite
delays and occasional moments of frustration, Latta and his wife Ann
persevered. In 2011, they helped establish the Bon Accord and District Veterans
Memorial Park Society. That group of dedicated volunteers teamed up to
transform the idea into reality. “With the support from residents and
businesses, we now see the finished project here today,” said Latta.
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| Dave Latta talks to the audience. |
The ceremony started when members of the
Gibbons Royal Canadian Legion colour party and a bagpiper with Edmonton Police
Services Pipes & Drums marched into the park. They were followed by a
procession of retired soldiers representing the Korea Veterans Association, the
Canadian Airborne Association and other retired military members wearing tunics
with medals.
Invited dignitaries included Member of
Parliament Rona Ambrose, MLA Colin Piquette, Sturgeon County Mayor Tom Flynn
and Bon Accord Mayor Randolph Boyd. They were joined by Redwater Mayor Mel
Smith, Gibbons Mayor Louise Bauder and several other elected officials who
stood with members of the Edmonton Salutes Committee to witness the ceremony.
“This is a phenomenal feat because we've
been waiting for 11 years, that's how long they've been doing this,” Mayor Boyd
told me in an interview. A retired military member, Boyd wore his medals to
honour the occasion. “As you can see, the connection in our community is
phenomenal. This is absolutely fantastic to see, they did a beautiful job.”
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| A padre blesses the park during the opening ceremony. |
When asked if the memorial park would be
the town venue to host Remembrance Day, Boyd replied: “Weather permitting,
absolutely. We have to realize that it's for our veterans and those that we
have here. So if the weather permits we would like to do that here. It's an
extremely convenient location.”
Gene Bince with the Korea Veterans
Association was one of several former soldiers on parade that day in the park.
“It looks really good, I'm very impressed with the design and the layout,” said
Bince. “I hope this will get young people involved to remember what has gone
on. It's very, very important. If it wasn't for the troops that volunteered to
go wherever they are needed, we wouldn't have the society we have today.” © 2015 Grant Cree photos.
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| A piper with Edmonton Police Service Pipes & Drums and a member of Gibbons Royal Canadian Legion salute during the ceremony. |
