To honour the Queen, seven trees were planted at the Guelph Royal Canadian Legion, one tree for every decade she served as her majesty.
“The initial initiative was actually for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee for Platinum Jubilee,” said Capt. Jeffery Fry. “When her majesty passed away, the initiative was reinvigorated to become more of a memorial for the Queen.”
While the initiative continued after Queen Elizabeth II passed away, the meaning was the same and still celebrates her time on the throne, he said.
The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery is across Canada, and were encouraged to plant a tree in remembrance of the Queen, Fry said.
The seven trees planted were seven different kinds of Canadian maple trees.
There will be a rock placed in the centre of where the trees were planted with a plaque with the royal cypher in commemoration of Queen Elizabeth II.
“Because it was an initiative that was put out by the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, we were authorized to come out and plant these trees using soldier power,” said Fry.
“I wanted to personally do it so that I could point out the tree later on, if I hopefully make it, to when they're a decent size,” said Pte. Alistar McClellan of the 11th Field Artillery Regiment.
Being part of the history of this event was important for him, he said.
“It's very important that we celebrate how 70 years was significant for the royal family and for us to be a part of this, to plant some trees in her honour, to mark the coming of a new age and to be able to witness a huge change that nobody in the last decade would have seen coming," said bombardier Brandon Nguyen.
The Royal Canadian Legion, branch 234 in Guelph was a fitting spot for the trees and anyone in Guelph can come to see it, said Lt.-Col. Miguel Ortiz-Sosa and commanding officer of the 11th Field Artillery Regiment.
“The 11th Field Regiment is the only military unit here in Guelph. So we are very pleased to be able to do that. And to do it, especially in this city,” said Ortiz-Sosa.
There is a change of the monarchy but a continuity of the monarch, an institution that brings stability and something to follow, he said.
