Reminder to remember
Henderson Legion cenotaph relocated, rededicated
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This article was published 27/08/2020 (1875 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
A memorial for fallen soldiers has been rededicated at its new home in East St. Paul.
On Aug. 23, the Henderson Legion Branch No. 215 (215 Maxwell King Dr.) held a well-attended rededication ceremony for its cenotaph, which had been relocated from its former home at 1400 Henderson Hwy. last summer.
“We appreciate all the support we have received,” said Gord Machej, president of the Henderson Legion.
In 1968, the North Kildonan War Memorial honouring soldiers who died in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War was erected in John Dickson Memorial Park, where it remained until last summer.
When the City of Winnipeg deemed the property that housed the former North Kildonan municipal offices as surplus, members of the public service notified North Kildonan city councillor Jeff Browaty.
Browaty, in turn, approached the Henderson Legion about relocating the memorial. Last summer, the cenotaph was moved to its current location along Maxwell King Drive.
“It’s important to remember the sacrifices made by our veterans,” Browaty said at the rededication ceremony. “We must, we must remember.”
The relocation project received funding and support from all three levels of government, representatives of which attended the rededication.
“East St. Paul is so fortunate to have such a vibrant Legion,” mayor Shelley Hart said in her address. “Relocating the cenotaph in East St. Paul is a natural fit.”
Jon Reyes, MLA for Waverley, joined local MLAs Cathy Cox (Kildonan-River East) and Jeff Wharton (Red River North) on behalf of the provincial government. Reyes, a veteran, spoke emotionally about a friend of his who died in the service of Canada, and the importance of remembrance.
The cenotaph also honours the memory of those soldiers who fell in peacekeeping missions in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014. During the rededication ceremony, a wreath was laid at the foot of the cenotaph by Orville Marshall and Fred Jackson, two veterans of the Second World War.
“Thank you for reminding us to remember,” Reyes said.
“May new hearts catch fire and know how brave noble lives may be,” Legion chaplain Ted Nimik said as he prepared to unveil the monument.
The rededication ceremony was followed by a corn roast, a fundraiser for the Legion.
For more information on the Henderson Legion, visit hendersonlegion.ca
Sheldon Birnie
Community Journalist
Sheldon Birnie is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. The author of Missing Like Teeth: An Oral History of Winnipeg Underground Rock (1990-2001), his writing has appeared in journals and online platforms across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. A husband and father of two young children, Sheldon enjoys playing guitar and rec hockey when he can find the time. Email him at sheldon.birnie@freepress.mb.ca Call him at 204-697-7112
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Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Sheldon Birnie
Community Journalist
Sheldon Birnie is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. The author of Missing Like Teeth: An Oral History of Winnipeg Underground Rock (1990-2001), his writing has appeared in journals and online platforms across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. A husband and father of two young children, Sheldon enjoys playing guitar and rec hockey when he can find the time. Email him at sheldon.birnie@freepress.mb.ca Call him at 204-697-7112
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
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