In an emotional presentation to City of Powell River council, veteran Jack Darling, Royal Canadian Navy retired, made a case for support to update the war memorial cenotaph beside Dwight Hall.
The proposal includes bronze plaques—two to commemorate Canadian peacekeepers overseas, and two more paying homage to soldiers who fought in Afghanistan. All will be affixed to the existing cenotaph.
Darling explained that his proposal is part of a larger initiative taking place through Royal Canadian Legions across Canada.
A member of the Legion, Branch 164, Powell River, and the UN-NATO Veterans Canada, Darling started his April 3 presentation by calling attention to Canadian veterans in every war over the last 100 years. He then called special attention to peace-time missions overseas and to conflict in Afghanistan. “War changes everything,” he said. “Many Canadians took part in these conflicts and many lost their lives, or were injured. Many families were affected.”
Darling said he and his wife attended the re-dedication of the cenotaph in North Vancouver. “It was quite a moving process. They had very very powerful speakers. I brought the question before the Legion board here in Powell River and received unanimous approval to pitch council for support.”
There will be two six-inch by eight-inch plaques and two vertical plaques measuring six inches by 24 inches long. One of the larger plaques will read Afghanistan conflict—2001 to 2013, and the second plaque will be attributed to peacekeepers in the Canadian forces from 1948 onwards. RCMP forces and civilian police will also be acknowledged.
Darling served 25 years in the Royal Canadian Navy post-Korean War. He was involved in a NATO commitment in Germany from 1972 through 1977, “trying to keep the wolf at bay,” he explained. “The Russians were the bad guys at that time. I was a medic and a petty officer, second class. After [Pierre] Trudeau made his sweeping changes to the military structure in Canada we lost our independence as a navy. The military became more or less a combined service.”
Darling quoted an estimated $1,300 for the foundry work to create the plaques and the Legion has taken the lead in applying for relevant grants and fundraising.
“We will apply for grants from Veterans’ Affairs,” he said to council.
Councillor Debbie Dee said that there must be some way for the city to pay for the updates. “We’re aware of all the fundraising you do through the year and how you contribute to the community. There must be a way for the city to consider paying for the developments through the ongoing budget process.”
Mayor Dave Formosa acknowledged the good work that Darling and the Legion are doing and asked staff to look into providing in-kind donation of the labour to install the upgrades. He said the city would pick up any short falls if the grants do not come through.
