Kimberley Veteran Memorial Park to be Unveiled This Weekend

Kimberley Veteran Memorial Park opens

COREY BULLOCKMon Jul 10th, 2017

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Military AMES officially opened the new Kimberley Veterans Memorial Park this past Saturday. The ceremony was well attended and featured a parade of local veterans, as well as a delegation from the Vietnam Veterans of America. The new cenotaph is one of the only in Canada that recognizes Canadian soldiers who crossed the line to serve in Vietnam.

Dignitaires speaking at the ceremony were a representative from MP Wayne Stetski, who was unable to attend, MLA Doug Clovechok, Mayor Don McCormick and Cindy Postnikoff, from Military Ames, who read a letter from the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs.

http://www.kimberleybulletin.com/news/kimberley-veteran-memorial-park-opens/

The new cenotaph and park honours Canadians lost in all wars.

Military Ames Facilitator Cindy Postnikoff says Kimberley's old war memorial is more than 70 years old, so it was time for an upgrade.

With crews working for more than two years to get the new cenotaph up and running, she believes it is a monumental occasion to see them install the plaques this week.

They will commemorate those lost in all wars, especially focusing on WWI, WWII, and the Vietnam War.

"I believe we're the first cenotaph in Canada to recognize Canadian Vietnam veterans. This is huge. Most people don't realize that 30,000-40,000 Canadians joined up in the United States and went to the Vietnam War."

The park is located at 170 Wallinger Ave in Kimberley, right next to city hall and the Platzl.

At Saturday's official unveiling, a parade will run from the Elks Hall to the Kimberley Veteran Memorial at 11:00 am, which will be followed by speeches and refreshments.

"We have people coming from as far as California, we have a huge group coming from Montana, I've had calls from all over the province. There's a lot of people with ties to Kimberley that are very excited about this monument and park."

With the festivities also occurring during the weekend's Kimberley Medieval Festival, Postnikoff is predicting the area to be extremely busy.

- David Opinko


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