The Town of Truro Parks, Recreation and Culture Department plans to install banners, which will display the names and faces of Truro area veterans. Staff is looking to the community to bring veterans' names forward and to sponsor the banners.
The cost is $100 per banner. Spaces are limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Veterans may be living or deceased. Deadline to submit is Friday, Oct. 16.
The late Jackie Fitton of Truro was a driving force behind the idea prior to her passing in May 2015. It was her dream to see the names and faces of veterans prominently displayed on downtown streets, especially around the cenotaph.
She saw television coverage of a similar project in New Brunswick and was inspired to make it happen in Truro.
Jackie discussed the idea freely among friends and it began to take shape earlier this year. She had hoped the Town of Truro, through the Parks, Recreation and Culture Department would help make it a reality.
"It's a nice fit, as the department is looking for ways to mark the 140th anniversary of Truro's incorporation as a town," says recreation director Doug MacKenzie. "This is also an opportunity to expand on the ongoing practice of placing Canadian flags on poles near the town's cenotaph at Remembrance Day."
In the first year, the department hopes to decorate 12 poles on Prince Street, from Town Hall to the corner of Prince and Forester streets. The project could be expanded in future years, if there is community interest.
The banner design includes the term "Hometown Heroes" and features space for a photograph, name and brief description. The banners will go up shortly before Remembrance Day and will come down immediately following. Banners will be reused year-after-year unless families, individuals or groups request that they not be used, or until they are not in good enough condition to be used.
For information, contact Cathy von Kintzel, special events and culture co-ordinator, Truro Parks, Recreation and Culture: [email protected]; 902-893-6094.
