by Morinville News Staff
The Town of Morinville announced Wednesday it had received notification from Canada Company that the community has been selected to receive one of 250 reconditioned LAV III (Light Armored Vehicle) as part of their National LAV III Monument Program.
Town Administration has been actively assisting Morinville resident and retired soldier, Trooper Jayson Wood in the application process since June of 2015.
Wood made a presentation on the project to the Morinville and District Chamber of Commerce earlier this month and told local business owners the location for the new monument was a park site on the east side of Morinville on Highway 642 by the pump house.
In addition to the LAV III unit, he park area will include trees, monument signage, and other park amenities.
It will cost $51,000 to acquire, transport and secure the LAVIII. Wood and the Town are hoping to raise the funds in the community and the Town is accepting monetary donations on behalf of the community.
Additional funding will construct a memorial for MCpl. Byron Greff, a Morinville resident with 3rd Battalion Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. Greff was one of 17 killed on Oct. 29, 2011, in a suicide bomber attack which struck an International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) vehicle.
“This new installation will be a welcome addition and will serve as a lasting and very tangible symbol of our community’s unwavering support for our military members and their families,” said Mayor Lisa Holmes in a Town press release Wednesday. “We are pleased with the early interest from the community and business leaders who wish to assist in the fundraising efforts for this project.”
Donations can be made at Town Hall (10125-100 Avenue, 2nd Floor) Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. A tax receipt will be issued for donations over $25.
We should finish the road monument on the south side first and just maybe invest into schools and Healthcare before paying for old millitary scrap to get parked in town….
We REALLLLLY NEED a Public Junior High/High School IN TOWN ASAP. That should be a priority for sure.
I second the public schools before scrap metal BS
They’re looking for donations not public funding FFS!
Social Studies lesson. Morinville has a rich history of military service that should and can be honoured. Schools and health are funded provincially.
There will ALWAYS be a “better”, “more important” cause closer to your heart than someone else’s. Frankly, if you don’t have anything supportive to say or do in regards to a cause as benign as a monument honoring a large part of this community’s history and future, scroll by and move on. I’m thankful for ALL the people advocating to make this a better, more beautiful and enriched community in every aspect. ✌?️
These guys lay down their lives so you have acccess to “public schools” and they’re asking for private funding, not taxpayer dollars. How about you read the article, or do they not teach English is public schools?