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A monument dedicated to more than a century of service from one local military regiment was unveiled Sunday during a ceremony at Vimy Ridge Park.

A crowd of roughly 100 dignitaries, politicians and spectators attended the unveiling, which followed a bagpipe procession down Portage Avenue in honour of the Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada.

Engraved stone plaques and a bronze sculpture tell the story of the Camerons through the First and Second World Wars and list the names of fallen soldiers who were part of the regiment. The monument includes a stone bench, cement pathways, lamp posts and landscaping in the park, and stands alongside existing military monuments. The regiment was founded in 1910 as the first Scottish highland regiment in Western Canada.

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“We haven’t gone away,” said Steve MacMillan, chairman of the monument committee for the Cameron Association. MacMillan spent 21 of his 38-year military career with the “Camerons.” He said the monument has been a long time coming, but noted it has special significance to him in light of his recent trip to France. He participated in 12 similar monument ceremonies in the span of four days and saw more Canadian flags in Dieppe and surrounding villages “than in probably all of Western Canada.”

“You really get an appreciation of how well our soldiers are honoured and remembered over there,” he said, gesturing to the brand-new monument.

“It brought it home for me as to why we did this, so we have a place to gather.”

The Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders commanding officer, Lt.-Col. Jon Baker, encouraged the crowd to “consume the spirit of this place,” particularly youth.

“To the young people in attendance, I encourage you to visit this monument often. Here, you will find the places you have learned or will learn about in your studies. Places like Vimy, Passchendale, Dieppe and Afghanistan,” Baker said. “When you learn about these important events… think of this monument and the men and women who have fought and died.”

The project was six years in the making, stalled by pandemic- and shipping-related delays, and required about $432,000 in fundraised private and public donations, largely from the City of Winnipeg. The provincial government contributed $50,000. Mayor Brian Bowman and provincial Environment Minister Jeff Wharton also spoke during the public ceremony.

The dedication was the second part of a planned three-phase project in the park.

katie.may@winnipegfreepress.com