By Mark Squibb/November 4, 2021
Volunteers with the Trepassey Veterans Memorial Committee say things are moving along quite nicely, though there is still work to do.
“The monument itself is in place,” said committee chairperson Marina Halleran, a veteran herself. “But right now, we still have to place the flagpoles, flags, a bench, garbage bin, the painting of the poppy, smoothing out of the walkway, there’s still a bit of work to be done. And we’ll have to wait until spring to do that now.”
The monument arrived in three separate pieces in September.
Halleran said it was very emotional, and yet an unreal moment.
“When the first part was placed, it was like, ‘Wow, this is happening?’” said Halleran. “When it was fully put in place, then we realized that the dream had become a reality.”
The group secured a $25,000 Community War Memorial grant from the federal Department of Veteran’s Affairs back in July to cover the cost of the monument.
However, factoring in additional work, including site preparation and beautification, installation of the monument, concrete finishing, ornamental fencing, artwork and more, the estimated cost for the entire project is around $55,000. To be on the safe side, the committee has budgeted about $60,000.
“We are very, very excited,” said Halleran. “It is a long process, but when you see it from the beginning stages to where it is now, it’s unbelievable. And these things take long hours, and a lot of work. It’s not built overnight.”
The work has been moved along largely by personal and business donations, and Halleran extended her thanks to all those who donated to help bring the project to fruition with donations of both funds and materials.
The monument site will not be quite ready for Remembrance Day, and instead an opening ceremony is being planned for Canada Day.
All the same, Halleran anticipates the town will hold a lovely Remembrance service, as per usual.
“Here in Trepassey, we have a beautiful Remembrance Day ceremony,” said Halleran. “Remembrance Day, and the War Monument itself, links the past to the present. It enables people to remember and respect the sacrifices of those who died, fought, or participated. It’s important that people don’t forget these wars, and they don’t forget the sacrifices, and what the soldiers went through.”
