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