Hero's march planned for Veteran's Boulevard
There’s no finer place to pay tribute to Airdrie’s veterans than Veteran’s Boulevard.
On Saturday, Oct 31 at 11 a.m. Airdrie will remember those who have served, those who are still serving and those who have fallen in the fourth annual ceremony on the median of Veteran’s Boulevard. The cross erection ritual will take place on the west side of the Main Street junction.
The communities of Sunridge and Stonegate flank each side of this intersection.
Organizers will place 25 crosses, all bearing the name, birthdate, rank and date of death of an Airdrie soldier killed in the line of duty if applicable, on Veteran’s Boulevard. An honour guard will accompany the crosses, give the salute and raise the flag.
The 25 crosses will remain in place as a tribute until Nov. 11 – Remembrance Day across Canada.
Organizers of this fourth annual ceremony include Don Leonardo, a Canadian veteran who served our country in Yugoslavia. Recently interviewed by the weekly Airdrie Echo, Leonardo is a veteran’s advocate who said erecting the crosses on Veteran’s Boulevard upholds the line “lest we forget”, a line made famous by the Canadian poem " In Flander's Fields".
Saturday’s tribute will include a parade with motorcyclists from the Legion Riders. All motorcycle riders are invited to participate in the parade, especially veterans, members of the reserve forces or current members of the military, Alberta sheriffs, peacekeepers, members of the Calgary Police Service and RCMP.
All parade participants will gather at 10 a.m. at the Town and Country Centre in Airdrie. The parade route will tour the city concluding at the Veteran’s Boulevard and Main Street intersection.
Leonardo told the Airdrie Echo that he and his committee hope to place smaller crosses on the graves of Airdrie’s fallen heroes who have been laid to rest in the Airdrie Cemetery immediately preceding the Veteran’s Boulevard ceremony.
Across Canada, Remembrance Day ceremonies will bring the memory of fallen men and women who were tragically killed in the line of duty to life. It is the first anniversary of the passing of Nathan Cirillo, shot at the Canadian National Warm Memorial while on sentry duty.
The 2014 event was attended by members of the Royal Canadian Legion with more than 40 motorcycle riders participating in the parade. Airdrie citizens are encouraged to attend and to wave flags along the route.
Veteran’s Boulevard, which is secondary road 567, was renamed in 2005 as a tribute to Canada’s military and war heroes.
The Airdrie Legion moved to a new facility last year, at 532 – 1 Ave in the downtown area. The previous location on 5th Avenue was the legion’s home for 30 years; however, with just 500 members using the facility the organization was forced to downsize to a smaller location. As part of a plan to keep Airdrie’s legion viable, volunteers have replaced paid staff. This year the legion received a grant from the federal government to add an elevator to the two-storey facility to assist older veterans who were unable to use the stairs.
The legion provides creation programs to area veterans and supports the local air cadet program.