Media Release
The Rededication/ unveiling ceremony has been 4 years in the making for the Wiarton Cenotaph.
Discovering the failure of a retaining wall, a monument coming apart, and having dealt with the collapse of raised flower beds years prior, it was time to address these issues. In the process it was also revealed that the existing mural had reached the end of its life.
The Royal Canadian Legion Wiarton branch 208 along with the Cenotaph property owners, The Town of South Bruce Peninsula embarked upon a journey together to make things right.
Fundraising began in earnest to reach a goal of $100,000.00 with $22,000 coming from Veteran Affairs Canada, $60,000 from the Municipality and $23,000 raised within the community from lotteries and donations.
Things were well underway to reaching our goal, the hardscape and monument repair went out to Solomon King a contractor well versed in the ways of stone restoration and rebuilds. The call out went out for the commissioning of a replacement mural and a clear choice became evident and military artist Sylvia Pecota was hired to take on the challenge
Her Challenge was to incorporate world conflicts from 1812 to present day Afghanistan. Commissioning also needed to reflect an indigenous component as a little known fact became aware to the organizers during this process. Our neighbors, the Neeashaningmin community had the highest enlistment of eligible warriors in Canada at over 90% in the world wars. All this and the research that has gone in to accurately reflect the contributions made by all veterans that either paid the ultimate sacrifice or returned home with the inner atrocities they endured, as well to the indigenous veterans who have not received proper recognition for their contributions.
Wiarton remembers, and recognizes, and on May 25th will unveil the depiction of recognition to all our veterans
