The Fonthill Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion was on hand at a Dec. 18 Council meeting. Pictured Councillor Wayne Olson. Photo Credit: Town of Pelham.
With the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe Day (May 8, 1945) and Victory over Japan Day (Aug. 15, 1945) coming up next year, Pelham Councillor Wayne Olson is spearheading an effort to honour the contributions and sacrifices made by local veterans.
Earlier this month, Olson brought forward a Council motion to install “Lest We Forget” crosswalks in Pelham in at least two locations, possibly in Fonthill and Fenwick. The hope is to have at least one of those crosswalks installed ahead of May 5, 2025, which will be the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands.
Olson’s motion was seconded by Councillor Bob Hildebrandt. He spoke to the motion as well.
The motion was carried unanimously.
Members of the Fonthill branch of the Royal Canadian Legion were at the Dec. 18 Council meeting when Olson’s motion was brought forward. Olson’s recognized their presence and paid tribute to them.
In his speech to Council, Olson noted that the Lincoln and Welland Regiment of the 10th Infantry Brigade of the 4th Canadian Armoured Regiment played a significant role in the liberation of the Netherlands, which took place between October 1944 and May 5, 1945.
Earlier this fall, the Town of Lincoln installed a “Lest We Forget” crosswalk at the Fleming Centre. Stoney Creek has paid a similar tribute.
Olson’s motion was endorsed by Council. City staff were instructed to explore the feasibility of creating at least two commemorative crosswalks in Pelham, reporting back to Council by the end of March.
The crosswalks are to be installed “as expeditiously as possible,” as per Olson’s motion.
Olson also noted that next year will also be the 60th anniversary of the Canadian Flag.
Mayor Marvin Junkin took the extra step of recognizing the presence of Legion members at the Council meeting and confirmed their desire to see Olson’s motion adopted.
Welland and St. Catharines are also looking into ways to commemorate this anniversary, with St. Catharines also looking into commemorative crosswalks.
In Welland, Councillor Claudette Richard is spearheading the effort to recognize the contributions of the 10th Infantry Brigade of the 4th Canadian Armoured Regiment, having introduced a motion at Council to have city staff work with he Legion and find potential funding partners.
Commemorative sidewalks and benches are being explored.
Jay Goldberg is the Ontario Director at the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. He previously served as a policy fellow at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs. Jay holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Toronto.
