Forest Lawn to paint tributes to veterans on sidewalks in eastern Calgary

A group of local community organizers are looking for volunteers to put together a last-minute tribute to Canadian veterans.

The Forest Lawn Community Association and Homes for Heroes teamed up to pitch the city last week on the idea of ​​painting a crosswalk in honor of veterans.

“It means so much,” said Gar Gar, president of the community association, “because in many cases the voices of veterans are not heard. And this one is actually the opportunity to say that your voice has been heard and your voice matters, and we hope to look forward to this.

Other Canadian municipalities have launched crosswalks for veterans, including Stoney Creek, Ont. (Hamilton) and Windsor, in the corner of Chatham-Kent, where the crosswalk was welcomed with open arms by local veterans.

“This is going to be a pretty memorable Remembrance Day,” said veteran Len Maynard, who is also president of the Chatham Branch 642 of the Royal Canadian Legion.

“This, in Remembrance Week, is very moving,” Maynard said in an interview with CTV News. “This should really make it clear what we’re about when we come marching down the street.”

On Thursday, Gar posted an update on Facebook.

“I am grateful and humbled to inform you that we have met with the City of Calgary, the Federation of Calgary Communities, Homes for Heroes and Everline Coatings and Service and gone through the walk,” he said.

“We are pleased to announce that the initiative will take place in two phases due to the short time and the safety of the busy intersections.”

Phase one, he said, begins Friday.

“We have been given the green light/permit to open the sidewalks/pathway around 36 Street and 8 Ave. SE to paint/stencil (four sidewalks around the crosswalk at that intersection).

“To make this possible, we now urgently need volunteers,” he says. “Anyone who can volunteer to clean and help paint the four sidewalks Friday at 11 a.m. is asked to contact 403-826-0731.”

Anyone available can meet at the intersection of 36 Street and 8 Avenue SE at 11 a.m.

With files from CTV’s Christ Campbell