New signage to be installed at cenotaphs across Caledon

Plaques to honour service in Canadian Armed Forces and United Nations peacekeeping roles

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Caledon is taking steps to better honour those who serve and have served our country. 

At Caledon Council's October 8 meeting, Councillors approved a recommendation to install a permanent sign honouring service in the Canadian Armed Forces and in United Nations peacekeeping roles at each of Caledon's four cenotaphs.

A staff report from Janet Eagleson, Caledon's Manager of Public Affairs and External Relations, noted Caledon's cenotaphs currently honour those who died in the First and Second world wars and the Korean War. 

“There is currently no recognition for the thousands who have served in the Canadian Armed Forces and in policing tours with the United Nations in war and peace,” reads the report. “Weather and graffiti-proof signs honouring all members of the Canadian Armed Forces, past and present, can be produced and installed at each of the four cenotaphs at a cost of approximately $15,000.”

The signs will be self-standing, so as to respect the commemorative integrity of, and not interfere with, existing cenotaphs. 

The Town will install a sign at Caledon Town Hall's cenotaph first so it will be ready in time for this year's Remembrance Day service there. 

Caledon's four cenotaphs are located at Town Hall, the Alton Legion, Laurel Hill Cemetery, and Victoria Park. 

The idea to add new signage at Caledon's cenotaphs was first brought up by Ward 3 Councillor Doug Maskell on February 6. Through a motion, he asked town staff to investigate the feasibility of such an idea. 

Maskell got the idea for his motion when he was visiting the Caledon East cenotaph last Remembrance Day. While there, he ran into a couple whose son served in Afghanistan. 

He realized the son's service was not commemorated and wanted to do something to rectify the situation.

More than 40,000 Canadians were deployed to Afghanistan, with 125 being killed and over 2,000 wounded.

Since 1948, more than 125,000 Canadians have served on United Nations missions, with 130 losing their lives.