by Lucie Roy
Banners of Remembrance are an effort to keep the flame of remembrance burning bright by highlighting veterans through commemorative light standard banners.
The info on veterans of Canada’s war involvement, to hang on streetlight poles from Sobeys to the Fire Department, is the project Loralee Elliott of the Morinville Historical and Cultural Society. Elliott has been working on the project for months.
The 24-inch x 72-inch double-sided banners would include a photo, name, rank tall poppies and the words, In Memory of and Lest We Forget.
Of the ten veterans killed in action, Elliott is currently seeking better photos on the following; Paul Emile Caouette born Mar. 3, 1925, Jean Ferrat born Apr. 4, 1880, Louis Max Lavallee born Jan. 8, 1920 in Morinville, Jean Paul Therrien born Sept. 20, 1922, Leon Theberge born July 3, 1922 in Morinville, Russell John Majeau born Nov. 1, 1915 in Fort Sask and Louis Bourassa born Oct. 17, 1895.
Similar to banner projects in other communities across the country, Morinville’s Banners of Remembrance will honour veterans of the military who have a connection to the community.
The Banner project is very close to her heart and Elliott is very excited to see it come to fruition.
Elliott said there are some incredibly amazing veterans in our community who deserve recognition.
She is pleased that the citizens of this community will now be able to put a face to these courageous veterans.
Through the displaying of these banners, Elliott hopes to engage the community and region in honouring and remembering local veterans through an initiative that will ensure continued recognition and respect through future generations.
Sponsorship opportunities are available for individuals or corporations in playing a role in the project, estimated at a cost of $7000.
A public presentation by Elliott was made at the Sept. 15 Committee of the Whole meeting with approval granted to proceed.
Banners would be erected from the last day of October for the first poppy presentation, Veterans Week and until after Remembrance Day. They would be removed prior to the Christmas festive season.
For more info please contact loraleeelliott@yahoo.ca.
