Thanks to a group of committed and passionate Chestermere residents, having a permanent cenotaph is closer to becoming a reality, but they need your help.
The Chestermere Cenotaph committee has never given up their tireless work to eventually see a community war memorial. Formed four years ago, the Cenotaph and Remembrance Day committee consisting of seven residents have dreamed of the day when Chestermere would have a permanent cenotaph, and they have done a lot of work to keep the project moving forward.
In 2011, they approached a couple of artists to build miniature sized models of proposed memorials and then had the models available for residents to vote on. Once votes were tallied, there was one particular design that was a clear winner.
An approximate 18 foot long and 10 foot wide piece of granite beautifully carved with depictions of various images that represent the sacrifices many Canadians made came out on top. In addition to honoring the Police, Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services, images of hero’s from the Great War, World War II, and the Korean War are all presented in a handsome manner. A section of the unique monument has a dedication to those involved in peacekeeping as well.
The artist is Richard Hessler, who served in the Military Reserve and is a retired RCMP officer. The new cenotaph will eventually be placed at the south end of Anniversary Park once construction of the park is completed. There was a temporary cenotaph in the same location, made of a piece of sandstone, but that was removed once the park redevelopment began.
Now that the construction of Anniversary Park is well underway, the cenotaph committee is eager to move forward with their project as well. They have the artist, the design and the location. Now they need the funds.
“We want to get the word out to people that we are moving forward with the cenotaph which we would like to have in place by the time the park is officially open,” says Shawn McKenzie, chair of the Cenotaph committee.
McKenzie explains that they are excited to be kicking off their fundraising campaign to get this project in place and feels that it is a pretty unique spot to be in. “Nowhere else in Canada can you contribute to a new cenotaph because most communities already have this type of memorial existing.”
An interesting fact that McKenzie points out is that the reason Chestermere does not already have an existing cenotaph is because during the past wars of the 1900’s, Chestermere was merely a summer village and had no permanent residents therefore there were no friends of families here that wanted to recognize fallen soldiers.
“As far as I am aware, Chestermere will be the first Canadian town to erect a new cenotaph without any war dead,” says McKenzie, “It will be a memorial wall really, designed for all soldiers.”
McKenzie knows how important this is for many people within the community to have a place that honors Canadians that gave up so much. He was involved in the first ever Remembrance Day ceremony held in Chestermere three years ago which saw a huge crowd. “We were only expecting 40 or 50 people the first year we hosted a Remembrance Day Service, but we got close to 300, and it’s been growing ever since.”
McKenzie himself served 14 years in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps and served overseas with the United Nations. He volunteers on the Cenotaph Committee not only because he feels it is his civic duty but also because he understands how important it is. “I believe that Canadians need to be aware of and have the opportunity to recognize the sacrifice made by past Canadian Soldiers, Airmen and Seamen.”
Ray Hessler is the founder of the Chestermere Cenotaph Committee. The 84 year old veteran spent 22 years serving in the Regular Force including two tours with the United Nations in Cypress and Egypt, “When I moved here 6 years ago I notice there was no Cenotaph or memorial so I started talking around to different people and eventually got the go ahead from Mayor Matthews to form a committee and pursue the idea,” said Hessler.
Hessler believes there is an estimated 15-20 veterans currently living in Chestermere although there is no official count. “I believe it is important for the community to have a war monument because Alberta has been involved in the Military for many years, and I know how much it means to the veterans.”
“This idea of a memorial wall is very dear to my heart, and I think the people of Chestermere are really behind it as well,” Hessler says. “I would like to see some corporate sponsors to get on board, so that we can get this done for the community.”
According to Town Councillor Stu Hutchison who is also on the cenotaph committee, the budget for the project is just over $135,000. There has been an account set up at the Town Hall specifically for the cenotaph project so that anyone interested in making a donation can simply do so by visiting the town hall to make their contribution. Tax receipts will be issued for all donations.
The cenotaph committee would like to ask all residents to consider making a donation toward this worthwhile town project. For more information on the cenotaph project, you can email Shawn McKenzie at shawnm911@gmail.com.
