Richmond Corner Women's Institute uses the nation's birthday to dedicate a war memorial

Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

Speak Up

As Canadians everywhere celebrated Canada's 141st birthday, around 20 people gathered in Richmond Corner on a morning bathed in warm sunshine to dedicate a memorial to those who served and died in past wars.

1 of 6

PHOTO BY BRIGITTE MARSDEN

Woodstock ANAVETS on hand for the dedication of the Richmond Corner War Memorial included, from left, Edna McLean, Beth McFarlane, Robert McFarlane, Lee Ralston, Ron Dixon, Albert McBride, Paul Hanson and president Glenn McLean.

PHOTO BY BRIGITTE MARSDEN

Women's Institute members from Woodstock and Richmond Corner gather around the War Memorial following its dedication ceremony on Canada Day. From left are Carolyn Allain, Anna Jewett, Margaret Porter, Nina Currie, Dolores McBride, Lorna Cluff , Barbara McBride and Peggy Martin.

PHOTO BY BRIGITTE MARSDEN

The War Memorial, courtesy of the Richmond Corner Women's Institute, pays homage to the community's soldiers who fell in battle.

Eight members of Woodstock ANAVETS Unit 95 joined several members of the Richmond Corner and Woodstock Women's Institutes and local residents to honour the community's veterans.

Those in attendance included the oldest charter member of the Richmond Corner W.I., Nina Currie, aged 95.

"I think it's lovely, it's a good thing," said Currie of the new memorial, "thanks to Peggy Martin's hard work." Dolores McBride of R.C.W.I also praised the memorial and gave credit to Martin for making it happen.

"It's a wonderful idea," said McBride. "Peggy's been after doing this for some time and I'm so glad she did."

The large rock was found in a ditch in Southampton, said Martin. It was dug out and transported to Nackawic to be cleaned and sandblasted before making the trip to its final resting place by the Richmond Corner W.I. hall.

The plaque was added and as a finishing touch the memorial stone was set in a neat bed of gravel.

Located beside Route 555, the memorial is a testament to the hard work and dedication of local veterans, and also to those who helped to make it a reality.

Martin paid tribute to everyone involved in her Thumbs Up carried in the June 24 edition of the Bugle-Observer.

On Canada Day, the informal dedication ceremony began with an introduction by Martin, who explained they decided against putting names on the plaque in fear of missing someone.

Rev. Chris Hayes, rector of St. John's Anglican Church in Richmond Corner, offered prayers of dedication.

Everyone then joined in the singing of the national anthem and God Save the Queen. Beth MacFarlane, on behalf of the ANAVETS, concluded the brief ceremony with words of thanks.

MacFarlane said the Richmond Corner monument is unique.

"This (memorial) is a real labour of love," she said. "It's not like any other monuments, which are normally cenotaphs."

Several members of ANAVETS felt that the memorial needed a flagpole and they will work to provide one.

"It's the kind of project we like to take on," MacFarlane said.

Martin also has another related project on which to work. She wants to place a book in the nearby W.I. Hall, in which local members of the armed forces, past and present, can sign their names.