Kenilworth – While it is often said if you build it, they will come … councillors here may need to consider a twist : if it comes, where will they they build it?
Wellington North council first made a proposal to host a national war memorial in Arthur several months ago, based on that community’s official recognition as Canada’s Most Patriotic Village.
Although Welllington North councillors received correspondence from the Minister of Veterans Affairs, Greg Thompson’s response brought little new information other than an acknowledgement of council’s views of an Act to establish a Memorial Wall for Canada’s fallen soldiers and peacekeepers.
Thompson informed council that while the bill was first read in the House of Commons on March 27, it is currently awaiting placement in the order of precedence.
"While Veterans Affairs Canada is not mandated to fund new memorials at this time, you may be interested to know that the department’s cenotaph [and] monument restoration program was introduced to conserve the more than 6,000 existing cenotaphs and monuments in communities across Canada. The program focussed on ensuring that communities and organizations are able to restore their cenotaphs and monuments honouring the achievements and sacrifices by those who served Canada in times of war, military conflict and peace."
Thompson also wrote that the federal government recognizes the National War Memorial in Ottawa, dedicated to all veterans, "as the official monument in Canada commemorating the achievements and sacrifices of those who have served their country. In addition, the National Peacekeepers’ Memorial honours those who serve or have served Canada in maintaining international peace and security."
He wrote, "All of Canada’s War Dead are commemorated by name, either on a gravemarker or, for those with no known grave, on memorials such as the Vimy Memorial in France or the Menin Gate, in Belgium. Their sacrifices are also commemorated individually in Canada’s seven Books of Remembrance, which are housed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill."
"Additionally, the Canada Remembers section of Veterans Affairs Canada’s website, www.vac-acc.gc.ca, features the Canadian Virtual War Memorial. This site provides information about the graves and memorials of the more than 116,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders who served valiantly and gave their lives for their country. It includes memorials for over 1,500 soldiers who have died in service to Canada since the Korean War, including peacekeeping and other operations."
Councillor Dan Yake said Wellington North needs to be more proactive on the issue of winning the right to house the national monument.
While the matter was brought up again a few weeks ago, Yake believes the municipality should work on a formal proposal.
"I mean, if they said ‘Yes’ we haven’t really thought about where we’d put it in Arthur," he said. "We need to be able to show we are prepared to follow through."
He suggested a committee to look at if and when such a memorial is built in Arthur. "We need to have all our ducks ina row."
Councillor John Matusinec recommended the issue be directed to the township’s economic development committee for further discussion.
