Local man hopes to honour veterans with special project

It could be the first of its kind in Saskatchewan.

Meadow Lake resident George Wood has an idea to remember military and police veterans, alive or deceased, from around the area.

At yesterday’s council meeting, Wood explained the idea is to work with the Meadow Lake Legion and veteran’s families to create double-sided banners with the veteran’s information and service photo.

Wood said he got the idea from a town in New Brunswick when its veteran banners were displayed on a national newscast.

Since the planning started, Wood and his fellow committee members have identified 60 locations along Centre St. and Veterans Way where the banners could be hung if council gives the project a green light.

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Council was on board with the proposal but didn’t approve it during the Feb. 27 meeting. Instead, council directed administration to look into sight lines, and the city’s bylaws and policies toward hanging the banners. It’s expected a report will be brought back to council’s table during the March 14 meeting where a decision is likely.

If approved, Wood and the committee will work with the veteran’s families and the Meadow Lake Legion. If family members want a banner, it will cost them roughly $250.

Wood added the committee is also in conversations with the federal government about a potential grant.

The committee wants to hang the banners up from Nov. 1 until at least February. While not on display the family can either take them home or the committee can provide storage for the banner.

Wood said the banners in Meadow Lake will be a nice gesture towards Canada’s 150th anniversary and the 100th anniversary of Vimy Ridge.

“It would be a wonderful opportunity to put the City of Meadow Lake on the map and to add some more decoration as well,” Wood said.

He added as the project grows in future years more banners can be made with more locations identified.

Email: colton.swiderski@jpbg.ca

On Twitter @coltonswiderski