During the lead-up to Remembrance Day, Guelph Legion officials plan to hang a series of commemorative banners from Downtown light poles, highlighting the lives of veterans with ties to the community.
In order to do so, they’re asking for residents, groups and businesses to step forward with names and details, along with sponsorship funds to cover the cost of banners.
“Guelph is rich in history and we have a number of people in the community or were part of the community … that have contributed to what we get to enjoy every day in our freedoms,” said Loraine Roberts, spokesperson for Col. John McCrae, Branch 234 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Guelph. “It’s about awareness.”
Known as the Honour our Veterans Banner Program, this is a five-year initiative, with banners hung for two weeks ahead of Remembrance Day each year. Once the program has run its course, sponsors will be allowed to keep their banners.
There are 168 suitable light standards throughout the downtown, said Roberts, who noted the local legion will sponsor a McCrae banner, leaving 167 others to be filled.
Ideally, Roberts said, sponsors will be able to provide a photo of their veteran to use on the banner. In the absence of a photo, a silhouette will be used.
"I think it's really lovely," said Marty Williams, executive director of the Downtown Guelph Business Association, of the concept. "It's really brings it home when you see veterans from the town you're in."
He plans to sponsor a banner in honour of his father, Fred Williams, who was a gunner during the Second World War and would have turned 100 this year.
The deadline to apply is July 11. Service information will be confirmed before banners are made.
Banners are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For application information, email [email protected].
This program is being offered with the assistance of the Downtown Guelph Business Association. Banners will be hung by city workers.
