More than 50 crosses honouring the fallen service members from Parksville Qualicum Beach are now on display in Qualicum Beach.
A ceremony was held on Thursday morning (Nov. 2) to launch the opening of annual memorial event that is jointly organized by the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 76 and the Rotary Club of Qualicum Beach.
The occasion was attended by Qualicum Beach mayor Teunis Westbroek, councillors Anne Skipsey, Jean Young and Petronella Vander Valk, Parksville-Qualicum MLA Adam Walker, representatives from the Qualicum First Nation, the Qualicum Beach Volunteer Fire Department, some veterans, and Grade 3 and 4 students from the Qualicum Beach Elementary School, who sang ‘O Canada’ and recited the poem ‘In Flanders Fields’.
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Each white cross bears the name of the fallen soldier, military decorations, age at death, rank, regiment or unit, date of death, adorned with a single poppy and small Canadian flag. One cross is dedicated to the unknown soldier.
The display located on the west side of Memorial Drive at the railroad tracks, will remain until the eve of Remembrance Day on Nov. 11.
On Nov. 10, a vigil will be held at the site with candles to be lit at the base of each cross, from 5:30 p.m. to midnight.
— NEWS Staff