Township hosts rededication of cenotaph - exactly 93 years after original ceremony

by Chris Daponte

ROCKWOOD

Marvellous. Amazing. Gorgeous.

Those were some of the adjectives Afghanistan veteran Martin Boreczek used to describe the upgrades at the Rockwood cenotaph.

“What an improvement,” the Lorne Scots Regiment corporal told the Advertiser. “They did it right.”

Boreczek, of Mississauga,  was one of several speakers during the official rededication of the cenotaph on Aug. 29 - exactly 93 years to the day of the original dedication in 1919.

He said that anniversary, combined with the bicentennial anniversary of the War of 1812 and last year’s withdrawal of most Canadian troops from Afghanistan, makes the timing of the ceremony absolutely perfect.

Wellington-Halton Hills MP Michael Chong also alluded to the original dedication of the cenotaph following the First World War.

“This day holds special significance to this community,” Chong told the crowd of well over 100 people.

Guelph-Eramosa Township announced the $66,000 cenotaph upgrades in March, and several weeks later the federal government announced funding to cover about half the overall cost.

“The township has recognized the cenotaph is the centre of this community and the heart of this community in many ways,” said Mayor Chris White.

He thanked township staff for their effort, and also recognized the contributions of council, the federal government, Drexler Construction and MHBC Planning.

Major changes included in the project were:

- removing the bars and cement barrier at the front of the cenotaph and replacing it with a direct walkway to three steps leading up to a new cenotaph landing;

- installing a sloped walkway (for wheelchair access) at the right side of the cenotaph leading to the rear of the new landing;

- replacing an old fence at the rear of the monument with a new picket fence with a gate;

- installing benches along the inside of the new fence;

- new retaining walls at the front of the landing with an area for planting of flowers or shrubs;

- evenly spacing out the four flags at the back near the new fence; and

- removing two maple trees at the sides of the cenotaph and replacing them with two new ones that are uniform in size.

Chong said the federal government will continue to ensure the sacrifices of Canadians in the World Wars, Korea, Afghanistan and other conflicts and peace keeping missions are not forgotten.

“We must do everything we can to remember them,” he said, later adding, “Our men and women in service uniforms have made us proud.”

Boreczek also paid tribute to all Canadians who have sacrificed in battle throughout the country’s history, and he stressed the good work done most recently in Afghanistan.

“The tears we’ve shed, the blood we’ve spilled and the treasure spent has not been in vain,” he told the crowd.

Doug Dolby, vice president of the Guelph Legion Branch 234, lauded the township for taking the steps to remember veterans and also to increase accessibility at the site.

“I think they’ve done a great job,” Dolby said the cenotaph renovations.

September 7, 2012