The new cenotaph built in Douglas Park can accommodate many people. By Heather Colpitts, Langley Advance November 10, 2011
Langley MP Mark Warawa brought along the beret of his late father, a member of Canada's military, when he announced the federal funding for the new cenotaph.
Photograph by: Heather Colpitts, Langley Advance
Langley Remembrance Day ceremonies have a new home, with the completion of a new cenotaph at Douglas Park.
The Royal Canadian Legion Langley Branch 21 worked in collaboration with Langley City on the monument to those in the military who have fallen.
"Everyone should take that to heart," said Heather Erikson, the Langley branch secretary.
A cenotaph is a memorial marker put in a place of honour. Legion and community cenotaphs honour the men and women who served in the Canadian military and died in the two World Wars, the Korean War, in peacekeeping duty, or in the Afghanistan War.
Legions provide services and support to veterans as well as the community.
Branch 21 played an active role in the creation of the Douglas Park cenotaph.
The project cost is about $216,000, higher than the original $143,000 price tag, because of changes in the design, such as the addition of upward lighting in the statue base, granite facing on the pillars.
On Monday, the federal government announced $50,000 from the Community War Memorial Program.
"Generations of Canadians have sacrificed so that we may live in peace today," commented Langley MP Mark Warawa.
He and other dignitaries joined legion members to announce the funding Monday. A cenotaph dedication ceremony was held Wednesday.
The Douglas Park Cenotaph consists of three granite-clad slabs and is engraved with the words Our Glorious Dead/Nos Morts Glorieux.
The Langley branch 21 took apart its cenotaph on Eastleigh Crescent when it moved to its new site on 56th Avenue and reassmbled the stone cairn there.
Remembrance Day services were held there in 2010 but will be at Douglas Park form now on. The park has the advantage of being able to hold many more people for the services and the ability to have sound equipment.
City staff explained at the Nov. 7 council meeting that it has not been determined when the cenotaph's lights will be turned on, but the project is mostly complete and ready to host Nov. 11 services.
See inside for details on other ceremonies around the community on Nov. 11 and tributes to local veterans.
TRADITION
Nov. 11 services organized by the various branches of the Royal Canadian Legion follow a set pattern no matter where they occur in Canada.
There are elements that must be in the ceremony which can be amended in different communities to allow for unique local elements, such as the local ceremonies that have flypasts by the Fraser Blues precision flying team.
Remembrance Day ceremonies open with the singing of O Canada followed by greetings, a prayer and a hymn.
Last Post is played, followed by two minutes of silence. That's followed by a lament and reveille, the act of homage and the Lord's Prayer. There are some brief speeches by dignitaries then the laying of wreaths.
