BASS RIVER - Royal red maple trees have been planted as living memorials to 10 brave Nova Scotia men who died fighting for their country.
The trees were planted Sunday morning as part of the National Peacekeepers Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial Park in Bass River.
"It warms our heart to know that there are still people out there who remember, and who show their respect, and are proud of what are military does," Angela Reid told the crowd of about 150 people yesterday.
"I've searched for the correct words to use, such as overwhelmed, gratitude, thankfulness, etc., but these words somehow do not have the full impact of what this tribute means to us."
Her son, Cpl. Christopher Reid, was killed in August 2006 when his LAV III Light Armoured Vehicle struck an improvised explosive. Of the 10 men honoured Reid is one of six with roots in central and northern Nova Scotia.
"Our area of this province has made the most sacrifice, however, all of Nova Scotia shares that sacrifice with us," said Cumberland Colchester Musquodoboit Valley MP Scott Armstrong. "We pass along our respect to the families of the fallen and pass along our commitment to always remember the sacrifice that was made for us, for freedom and for Canada."
Lt-Col. Shawn Hale, the commanding officer of the First Battalion of the Nova Scotia Highlanders (North), approached park officials to see if they would be interested in the project. Park officials agreed and the Highlanders contacted the 13 Nova Scotia families, who have lost loved ones to see if they would be interested in having the red maples planted in the Bass River park. Ten agreed while three decided on other locations closer to their homes.
The trees were planted during a ceremony for National Peacekeepers Day, which is Aug. 9. It was on that day in 1974 the greatest single loss of Canadian peacekeepers occurred when nine died while serving on a United Nations' emergency force in Egypt and Israel.
"Although Afghanistan may not look like a typical peacekeeping operation to the Canadian people, our soldiers are there so that the people of Afghanistan can live in peace," Hale said. "We have paid a significant price for this mission and we are here to remember those who have fallen."
The solemn ceremony had many in the crowd thinking about the sacrifices men and women make for the freedom Canadians enjoy.
"The young men we honour today believed in their mission. They fought for the most notable of causes," said Dr. Karen Ewing, who came up with the idea for the memorial park.
"Not for themselves, but for others. Not for those they know, but for those they came to know. These men fought and died for the dignity of human beings half a world away."
She said the red maples will be a living memorial to the men and the park will provide a place for family and friends to reflect and remember their loved ones.
"It is said that the significance of an event is judged by how much of a shadow it casts. How appropriate then that they're significance will grow every year," Ewing said.
jmalloy@trurodaily.com
Honoured:
Ten royal red maples were planted Sunday at the Veterans Memorial Park to honour ten Nova Scotians who have been killed in Afghanistan. Trees were planted for:
Pte. Richard Green
Pte. Nathan Smith
Cpl. Paul Davis
Cpl. Christopher Reid
WO Frank Mellish
Sgt. Darcy Tedford
Cpl. Kevin Megeney
Cpl. Chris Stannix
Cpl. Tom Hamilton
Sgt. James MacNeil
