Statement made on 27 October 2009 by Senator Jane Cordy
Hon. Jane Cordy:
Honourable senators, I was pleased to attend the dedication of a new Veterans Memorial Monument in Boularderie, Cape Breton, on September 12, 2009.
The Boularderie District Veterans Memorial Committee hosted the dedication event of the newly-constructed monument, which is located on the grounds of St. James Church in Big Bras d'Or.
This project was initiated to recognize the sacrifices made by the veterans of Boularderie and the surrounding area. The community believes that the men and women who served our great country deserve to be honoured and remembered for what they have given up for Canada.
One of the biggest challenges for the committee was collecting the names of the veterans from the different wars and military missions. The final list comprises 291 names which are engraved on the monument. That is an amazing number, considering the small size of this community. These names represent sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbours.
Honourable senators, this truly was a community project. It clearly demonstrates the strong dedication of the people in Boularderie to remember veterans. It was a grassroots remembrance initiative — a memorial which will last for generations and will ensure that the legacy of these men and women will never be forgotten. This monument is now part of the history of Boularderie and it will help to ensure the stories of the veterans from the community are told and retold.
Honourable senators, the initiative for this monument came from the MacLeod family, John K. and Norma. Honourable senators, for your information, John K. and Norma are the parents of our Black Rod, Mr. Kevin MacLeod. I am also told that the Black Rod did the basic design work for the monument.
Congratulations to the MacLeods for bringing their idea to the St. James Cemetery Committee and for being the catalyst in making this event happen. The MacLeods have ensured that this legacy of ultimate sacrifice will be passed on and never forgotten.
I also take this opportunity to applaud the Boularderie and District Memorial Committee and, for that matter, the community of Boularderie Island, for their efforts in honouring Canada's veterans.