‘We’re not going to forget our veterans’: Kamloops Legion unveils new crosswalk

“[I wanted us to] show other communities that we have the recognition for veterans that gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

The crosswalk features a simple design – white and black with two red maple leaves, and an inscription that reads ‘In honour of those who served and sacrificed’ in both official languages.

“We looked a few designs and thought this one represents Canada well,” Dersch said.

“The particular design was one that we were able to get through Dominion Command,” added Kamloops Legion President Mike Young. “With the time constraint that we were in to get it in place for today, we went with this design.”

“We also felt it was appropriate for this area given that we’re just down from the cenotaph and its a reminder when people drive over that we’re not going to forget our veterans.”

The crosswalk was installed on Thursday (July 16) night and unveiled at a Friday afternoon ceremony that marked the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion, which was founded in 1925 but officially incorporated on July 17, 1926.

“When you think about 100 years, it seems like a long time but it goes by fairly quickly,” Young added. “In 1926, a group of First World War veterans felt they needed a place to come together and socialize and talk about their experiences among themselves…that’s pretty much what the Legion was about.”

At the headquarters of Branch 52 on Lansdowne Street, there was a special presentation from former Tkemlúps te Secwépemc Kúkwpi7 Manny Jules. He presented Young with a hand-painted drum made of buffalo hide as a way to thank veterans for their service.

“The painting is of a poppy and I painted it so that it looked like it was beaded,” Jules said. “Its got four porcupine quills which symbolize the four cardinal directions – north, south, east and west. In the middle is a shell which represents the core or the centre and it could symbolically mean either the heart or the North Star.”

“The words stylistically are ‘silence speaks when words cannot,’ and it’s so eloquent in terms of what it means for veterans, and what my personal feelings are for their contributions for our country.”

(Image Credit: Jeremy Russo/CFJC Today)

Young also presented Sherri Holmes, the City of Kamloops’ sport, recreation and wellness manager, with a certificate of appreciation thanking her for her efforts in helping make the crosswalk a reality.

“She was very enthusiastic about the crosswalk idea and jumped on board and offered her services as a liaison between the city and the Legion and here we are today. We get to unveil our crosswalk,” Young said.

(Image Credit: Jeremy Russo/CFJC Today)

The Kamloops Legion will celebrate its own 100th anniversary in May next year, and planning is already underway. Until then, veterans and Legion members in Kamloops will pause and then celebrate the community aspect of the organization, which remains an important part of Canadian society.

“I’m absolutely overwhelmed by the community support that we got for this crosswalk,” Young added, noting the crosswalk was installed by West Coast Road Marking, which will maintain it in conjunction with the city.

“The people that stepped forward and the companies that stepped forward to support us has been absolutely amazing and I can’t thank them enough.”

“I sometimes thing that yeah, I put the paperwork in to get the ball rolling, but I don’t deserve the recognition for it,” Dersch said. “I do it on behalf of those that can’t be here. It’s the reason I am here and the reason I pushed for it.”

by Victor Kaisar

‘We’re not going to forget our veterans’: Kamloops Legion unveils new crosswalk

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