Members of the Ponoka Legion celebrated Saturday, Oct. 3 new improvements to their cenotaph that recognizes fallen Ponoka veterans.
A celebration lunch was held at the legion with special acknowledgement to a group of individuals and businesses that donated time and equipment to improve the cenotaph with a new rail, cement work and a ramp for members with wheelchairs. Special guests included Lacombe-Ponoka MLA Ron Orr and Ponoka County Reeve Paul McLauchlin.
Included in the work done through the project was a spotlight that shines brightly on the names on the cenotaph. Putting the project together started with the efforts of Phase 3 Electric. Speaking on behalf of Phase 3 was John MacEachern, who did much of the work.
He said it couldn’t be done without donations from Inland Concrete in Ponoka, Elite Integrity for the handcrafted rail,Tranquility Greenhouses, Chuck’s Concrete, Pederson Construction and from Sommer Home Hardware. Each of the businesses donated equipment needed to complete the project.
“Thank you for the privilege of doing that for you, and thank you for your sacrifice,” MacEachern told attendees.
He said the work was a small price to pay for the work veterans have done for the country. “It is just a small part of what we should do for our veterans.”
MLA Ron Orr thanked members for their advocacy and remembrance of veterans. “We need your example of responsibility and duty,” said Orr.
As for McLauchlin, he said he felt privileged to be in a room of heroes. He praised not only the veterans but their families for the sacrifices made to ensure a free Canada.
Legion president Sybil Evans said the role of a legion is to advocate for the needs of veterans and she thanked them for their efforts.
“A huge thank you to all of you veterans, you left the known, the comforts of your home, your loved ones” said Evans.
“May we never forget the sacrifices made but continue to support our veterans and their families and to promote remembrance to our younger generations,” she added.
Evans also thanked the businesses for their support of the project. A small ceremony was held outside near the cenotaph to commemorate its completion.
Correction:
In the Oct. 7 edition of Ponoka News, in the Legion story on page 7, it was Phase 3 Electric, not Phase 3 Security that did the work. As well, Pederson Construction was erroneously referred to as Patterson Construction. Sommer Home Hardware alsodonated to the project. We regret the errors.