Two brand new monuments have been unveiled at the Cenotaph in Thornbury.
A crowd gathered on the afternoon of June 2, to watch as members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 281 Beaver Valley officially unveiled the new monuments: one dedicated to those who served in military services and the other to first responders.
“The original plan to add two more stones to the Cenotaph was delayed by world events, but now we are here to officially unveil these stones,” said Branch 281 past president Joe Macdonald. “The left stone is dedicated to the members of our Forces in wartime and peace: the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, the Royal Canadian Airforce, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canadian Merchant Marine. The right stone is dedicated to our first responders, the Canadian Coast Guard, the Fire Services, the Ontario Provincial Police and the Paramedic Services.”
The ceremony featured a parade to the cenotaph with representation from all the branches of military service and from first responders units and organizations. The Shoreline Chorus and the Beaver Valley Concert Band provided music for the event.
Simcoe-Grey MP Terry Dowdell and MPP Brian Saunderson brought greetings from the federal and provincial governments. The Blue Mountains Mayor Andrea Matrosovs spoke on behalf of the Town of The Blue Mountains. Grey County Warden Brian Milne also attended the ceremony and brought greetings from Grey County council.
The new monuments at the Thornbury Cenotaph at Jack Acres Memorial Park were a multi-year project by Branch 281 of the Legion. The local legion spent several years planning the work and raising funds for the project.
New Branch 281 President Eobhann Bruce led the service and was thrilled with the response from the community.
“I’m happy, it went really well. I’m happy with the number of people here participating in the parade and spectating,” said Bruce, who, during the ceremony, thanked the entire community for its support for the project. “The community was very generous in helping us get this far.”
The unveiling ceremony also featured a drumhead service. In a tradition that dates back to the 1700s, the regimental drums were stacked in layers to create a temporary altar that was draped with the flags of Canada, Branch 281 and Royal Canadian Legion District E. Once the temporary altar was in place, Rev. Grayhame Boycott conducted a blessing service.
Shawn McKinlay was one of the pipers in the parade for the ceremony and is a former president of Branch 281 and he was happy with the unveiling event.
“It’s been an absolute privilege unveiling these new monuments. The weather cooperated. Everything has gone so well - truly. We’re truly blessed,” said McKinlay.
