The Light Armoured Vehicle, or LAV III, that will stand at Nose Creek Museum as a monument for fallen Canadian soldiers and veterans serving in Afghanistan, NATO and United Nations (UN) commands will be honoured at a dedication ceremony Oct. 9.
Bill Drummond, vice chairman of the LAV III committee with the Airdrie Legion Branch #288, said society’s image of a veteran is still that of a senior citizen who fought long ago.
With more recent conflicts, such as Afghanistan, he said Canada now has a younger generation of veterans who fought and are fighting for peace around the world, and are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder here at home.
“The public, at large, are not acknowledging them,” Drummond said. “This (monument) is an asset to Airdrie.”
He said the Canadian-built LAV III came in many shapes as it was used for different roles in the field such as troop transport, headquarters and ambulances.
Drummond said the response, dedication and charity of the community to get the site in front of Nose Creek Valley Museum ready for the monument has been “overwhelming.”
The Legion estimated it would need to raise $50,000 for the monument, but he said organizations, businesses and individuals came forward to donate much of the work and resources needed.
“I cannot believe the amount of people who have stepped forward and offered services,” Drummond said.
Three plaques standing waist high and lining the pathway from the museum to the monument will also be unveiled during the ceremony.
The first describes why the LAV was in Airdrie and what it was used for in combat. The second lists the 162 names of fallen Canadian soldiers during the Afghanistan conflict, and the third names the sponsors who put in the time and money to build the monument.
“We’ve all worked really hard at this,” Drummond said, noting the emotion that may come from seeing the monument finally completed. “I feel that we’ve done our part to honour young veterans.”
The dedication of the LAV III beings at 1 p.m. with the March on the Colours in front of the Nose Creek Valley Museum.
Canada, UN and NATO flags will be marched in followed by Airdrie’s cadet cores.
Representative from municipal, provincial and federal government will be on hand to say a few words before the Canadian flag is lowered to half-mast when Last Post, a military tradition for acts of remembrance, is played on the trumpet.
Following a minute of silence, Reveille, a military wakeup call, will sound.
A reception of tea and coffee will follow at the Airdrie Town and Country Centre at 2:30 p.m.
With only 250 LAV III monuments going up across Canada, Drummond said Airdrie’s marks the first for Western Canada.
“It tells that it’s a big deal,” he said. “We’re very fortunate to get it.”
