Monument Unveiling in Toronto Tomorrow

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

For those in Toronto itself, or within driving distance, this event may be worth attending. There will be a 'large' military parade from Ft. York to Queen's Park via University Avenue, followed by a 15-gun salute and a flypast and the unveiling. The weather promises to be good, so be there!

Parade, wall to honour vets
30-metre granite monument will be unveiled on grounds of Queen's Park
Sep. 15, 2006. 05:24 PM

CANADIAN PRESS


A 30-metre granite wall honouring Canada's veterans will be unveiled on the front lawn of the Ontario legislature Sunday, following what is being billed as one of the largest military parades in Toronto's history.

The monument resembles a scaled-down version of the Vietnam memorial in Washington, D.C., but instead of the names of those killed in combat, Ontario's wall is etched with scenes from Canada's military history, including peacetime.

"Everything from World War One and Two, the Korean War, right up to Afghanistan, including their role in helping to recover from the ice storm" will be documented on the monument, Government Services Minister Gerry Phillips said today.

"I think it'll be a great tribute to our vets. If there's one group in our society that's universally respected and admired, it's our vets."

Every aspect of the project, including Sunday's ceremonies, were determined by military veterans, led by retired major-general Richard Rohmer, co-chairman of the committee for the $2-million memorial.

"It has been the vets that have driven this process," Phillips said. "They have (led) every step of the way, from setting the criteria to preparing the competition and . . . selecting the winning design."

Rohmer said today he's confident the memorial will be well received by veterans.

"We think it will trigger some strong emotions from those who have served. And in addition to that, it will be educational for those who come to see it, especially young people and kids."

Premier Dalton McGuinty said it is important that the largest province in Canada "have some concrete evidence of our support and respect for all those people who over the years — and who continue to this very day — to put their lives on the line to support our values, and to lend support to people in countries that are affected by violence."

The memorial isn't just about honouring Canada's war dead, but to show support for Canadian forces stationed in hot spots around the world, McGuinty added.

"I think it'll be an opportunity to express our support for those men and women who are over in Afghanistan right now."

McGuinty credited former Conservative Premier Ernie Eves with starting the project, but said it was his Liberal government that decided to move the monument to the front lawn of the provincial legislature — the first addition to the grounds in 66 years.

"This memorial wall will be a lasting tribute to the sacrifice, courage and dedication of our veterans," said Rohmer.

"Anyone who served in the Canadian military is a veteran as far as were concerned, and that includes regular forces, reserves and the merchant navy."

McGuinty, Rohmer and Phillips will be joined by Ontario Lt.-Gov. James Bartleman and Brig.-Gen. Guy Thibault for the formal unveiling of the memorial, which until Sunday will remain hidden from public view.

"The wall is filled with images that start in the 1800s and work all the way through to today, so it's very impressive," Rohmer said. ``All the images are embedded in the granite itself. It's quite something."

Sunday's parade will start at noon at the Fort York Armoury near Toronto's waterfront, and head up University Avenue to the legislature, where there will be a 15-gun salute, followed by a fly-past of military planes.

"There'll be a Lancaster, a Hurricane and four Harvards, a couple of CF18s and some helicopters, and then the unveiling," said Phillips.

"I'd invite everybody to come to Queen's Park on Sunday to honour our vets. It will be very memorable."

[Geoff Winnington-Ball (RIP)]

The parade will include approx 1200 military (plus that many additional reps from other orgs) and will start up University Ave at 1330. It will pick up veterans who wish to march at University & College. At 1415, the flypast will commence, straight up University Ave. The parade will proceed around Queen's Park where the Lieutenant Governor will take the salute and inspect the Guard of Honour.