The Portage la Prairie Legion, Branch 65, is moving forward with plans to expand the cenotaph at Veterans Memorial Park, located downtown on Saskatchewan Avenue.
Bob Oldford, service officer for the Legion, has been leading the initiative. The branch recently appealed to the City of Portage la Prairie for approval in expanding the memorial, which honours local veterans who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
Honouring those fallen since the Korean War
Mayor Sharilyn Knox met with Oldford and Legion President :Lynn Payette, when they made a cheque presentation to the City.
"The new project is in combination with the City where we're doing an expansion of the local cenotaph by adding two stones on either side to remember the fallen that have happened since the Korean War; both military-wise. One stone will be representing the RCMP officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice from Portage la Prairie and while working in Portage la Prairie,” Oldford says.
He adds the total cost of the project is $25,000, which includes the two new stones, expanded red concrete on either side, and repairs to the base of the current monument.
Legion makes first donation to kick off campaign
To begin the fundraising effort, the Legion made a $500 donation on Monday, March 24.
"The cheque has a donation to the fund of $500,” Oldford says.
How to support the cenotaph expansion
Oldford encourages the public to support the project by making donations through City Hall.
"You can write a cheque or make a donation at City Hall, but you must indicate on your donation that it’s for the cenotaph expansion,” he says. “You will receive a tax receipt.”
He hopes to see enough funds raised, alongside potential grants, to have the project completed by mid-September.
"It would be fantastic if we could raise the funds to do it and get the money from the various different grant locations that we're applying to, to have the project done by mid-September. We're looking forward to your support as a community."
Legion leadership and City eager to move forward
Lynn Payette, president of the Legion, expressed her gratitude for Oldford’s dedication to the project.
“I’m glad Bob has taken this upon himself. It’s a great project, and those who have fallen since the Korean War must be remembered.”
Mayor Knox also voiced her support.
"We are very thrilled to work with the Legion on this project,” she says. “It's been a discussion that's been happening for quite some time, and so we're happy to help move it forward. It's important that we remember those fallen as well as our current veterans, etcetera. So, this is another way that the City of Portage can do that. We are looking forward to this project moving along."