The first of Airdrie’s two planned veterans crosswalks is now complete, with a newly painted tribute installed in front of the Airdrie Legion on 1st Avenue NE.
The red-and-white painted crosswalk features a silhouette of a soldier and the phrase Lest We Forget, in a design similar to those first introduced in Cochrane in 2024.
The Veterans Crosswalks are part of a broader installation unveiled this month along Veterans Boulevard. The City confirmed completion of the boulevard memorial in a July 21 release.
“This memorial is an expression of our community’s gratitude to those who have served,” said Airdrie Mayor Peter Brown. “It stands as a powerful reminder of those who have given their lives and those who have served with unwavering courage, sacrifice and dedication to secure our freedom and peace. We are proud to honour their legacy in a meaningful way.”
The project was developed in collaboration with the Royal Canadian Legion #288 Airdrie and the Army, Navy and Airforce Veterans in Canada (ANAVETS). The boulevard installation includes:
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22 metal banners mounted on light poles
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30 metal panels along bridge railings
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Two artistic benches
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Two life-sized silhouette sculptures
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One nautical banner pole
Four Airdrie veterans are recognized through the display: Keith Shaw (Army), Larry Skaalrud (Navy), Domenico DiGivannantonio (Air Force) and George Pambrun, an Indigenous veteran.
According to a June 3 report presented to Airdrie city council, the Legion crosswalk is one of two approved locations under the Veterans Memorial Project. The second will be placed adjacent to Field of Valour Park and the Gapyeong War Memorial.
The June report stated that both installations would be completed this summer. No further council approval was required, and funding is being drawn from the existing project budget.
According to the report, the Legion crosswalk location was selected “not only for its proximity to the Legion building but as a more pedestrian-friendly neighbourhood setting.”
The Field of Valour location will require the removal of existing zebra markings and is located within a school zone. The report states it “leads to the Field of Valour Park which contains the Cenotaph and the Gapyeong War Memorial and will recognize the almost 200 veterans living in Airdrie today.”
The City is using traffic paint for the crosswalks, citing lower initial cost and easier maintenance compared to thermoplastics. Estimated cost per crosswalk is $12,000 to $14,000.
The preferred design was developed in consultation with the Legion and ANAVETS and incorporates symbolic elements used in other municipal veterans crosswalks, including military imagery and the phrase Lest We Forget.
A formal dedication ceremony for the boulevard memorial is expected to take place in fall 2025.
The City of Airdrie received multiple requests for veterans crosswalks following the unveiling of Cochrane’s design in fall 2024. Feedback came through the mayor’s office, on social media, and directly from both veteran organizations.
The project received $55,000 in provincial funding through the Community Initiatives Grant Program. The Government of Alberta states the program “aims to help create opportunities for Albertans to engage with their communities.”
The Veterans Memorial Project is designed to serve as a year-round space for remembrance and reflection.
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