(Posted 4:30 a.m., Nov. 9)
Orléans cenotaph repaired in time for Remembrance Day ceremony
By Fred Sherwin
Orléans Online

Rev. Don Collar, Orléans Legion president Jim Ferguson, Ottawa-Orléans MP Royal Galipeau and Orléans Legion past-president Errol Patrick stand in front of the newly-repaired cenotaph statue. Fred Sherwin/Photo

This year's Remembrance Day ceremony at the Orleans Legion will be commemorated in front of a newly-refurbished cenotaph which was rededicated during a brief ceremony on Thursday.

The cenotaph recently underwent more $2,100 in repairs after the statue was damaged by vandals in August.

On Thursday, Ottawa-Orléans MP Rpyal Galipeau announced that the federal government would cover half the cost of the repairs. He also announced that a movement is afoot on Parliament Hill to adopt legislation establishing hefty fines for anyone caught desecrating a war memorial or local cenotaph.

Thursday's dedication ceremony was presided over by Rev, Don Collar and attending by about 20 Legion members including past-president Errol Patrick who was a member of the committee that oversaw the design and installation of the original cenotaph.

Patrick recalled the design process and working with sculpture Bruce Garner who recently passed away.

"One thing we insisted on was the presence of the female figure who represents all the women who have died while serving their country, The silouette is a World War I soldier and the statue illustrates coming from the past to the present and into the future," said Patrick.

The newly-repaired cenotaph will be front and centre this Sunday when more than 2,000 people are expected to attend this year's Remembrance Day ceremony.

(This story was made possible thanks to their generous support of our local business partners.)

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