The time has come to honour all veterans on Kew cenotaph

It is the anniversary of several major events in world history in which Canada has played a major role.

In 1914 the First World War began, and Canada, of course, contributed many soldiers. It is also the 75th anniversary of the Second World War, in which tens of thousands of Canadians took up the cause of peace. The 70th anniversary of D-Day, when Canada and its allies stormed France to bring the war to the Axis powers, is on June 6.

This is also the year we brought back our heroic soldiers from Afghanistan – 158 Canadians gave their lives to this cause.

There have been other engagements over the past decades for the Canadian armed forces. Canada is known as the great bastion of freedom and democracy, where we try to help our fellow humans during peace and war.

Let us not forget those who came back wounded and have suffered hardships. We should remember not only on Nov. 11, but at all times.

So as not to forget these gallant soldiers who have served their country, we are trying to preserve their memory by inscribing the names of the countries and areas in which their presence was needed.

We have here in the Beach a memorial on which we hope we will be able to inscribe the names of these engagements. This monument stands in Kew Gardens on Queen Street East, a lasting tribute to our armed forces.

The Royal Canadian Legion will be holding a tribute to the D-Day vets on June 1 at St. John’s Norway cemetery. They will march from Norway Junior Public School on Kingston Road at 1 p.m.

The Legion is, and always has been, the foremost and distinguished organization Canada has had.

To commemorate this monument in Kew Gardens, one of our wonderful Beach artists, Jennifer Cline, has made a lovely contribution to paint the monument. This painting will be the focal point for helping our cause, to help preserve the monument.

There will be several viewings of the painting, and it will be sold to the highest bidder. We will also sell a booklet and prints of the painting. The money will go to the war memorial.

But now, let us all try, young and old, to remember all of those who have fallen and those that are still with us, that they will not be forgotten by their fellow Beachers.

Anyone who wants to contribute should contact the memorial committee through Beach Metro News. We need your support in every way possible. Remember, this is your chance to help honour those who served.

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