Members of the Ponoka Legion have joined forces with five other Canadian legions bringing remembrance through the use of Canadian flags.
Called the Veterans Voices of Canada – Flags of Remembrance, the event will bring flags in a tribute to Canada’s veterans and for the Ponoka area, will be placed along Highway 2A, says Ponoka Legion member Stan Orlesky.
“On Oct. 17 there will be 116 flags erected somewhere on Highway 2A. Each flag represents 100,000 people that lost their lives in the three wars,” said Orlesky.
A sunrise ceremony will be held on the morning of the Oct. 17 and when the flags come down after Remembrance Day, he added. Orlesky said flags can be sponsored by families of veterans in remembrance of a loved one or from other groups.
Sponsors will receive a special plaque with information they previously provided to the organizers. Forms can be found at their local legions and Orlesky said there is a deadline of Monday, Aug. 31 to submit information and payment.
This is the first year the Ponoka Legion is taking part in the tribute and Orlesky’s hope is to see strong support. “Now will have a month of remembrance, because with 116 flags people will drive by every day.”
The location for Ponoka’s tribute is still to be determined.
The other legions taking part in the tribute are Sylvan Lake, Kelowna, B.C; Kingston, Ont.; Amherst, N.S. and Charlottetown, P.E.I.
A correction was made Aug. 19 as the article stated Stan Baliant was organizing the event. The correct name is Stan Orlesky. We regret the error.