Memorial support argument rings hollow

Neil McKinnon’s letter to to the editor (Green Cove perfect for war memorial, July 13, Cape Breton Post) spent considerable time attempting to use titles and connections to impress readers and persuade them that his support of the memorial therefore carries weight.

I believe it is irrelevant to the debate about the placement of the ‘Mother Canada’ war memorial in Green Cove that McKinnon was president of Dominion Command when he visited Vimy Ridge, and equally irrelevant that his travel companions were David Johnston, Peter Stoffer and Stephen Blaney.

Further, I believe that he misleads the reading public as it is untrue that 114,000 names of fallen Canadian soldiers will appear on the memorial.

What’s more, since the First World War ended in 1918 and the Second World War ended in 1945, it is highly unlikely that many of the dead soldiers loved ones are still alive and will be able to visit the planned memorial to read their names.

It is true that many people around the community support this project. We might ask why. They have been led to believe that tourists from “all over the world” will flock to the place and vastly improve the economy.

This is highly speculative even for the greatest optimist. We are off the beaten track. Most of the tourists who do come venture here to experience the wonders of the Cabot Trail, including Green Cove, in all its natural beauty. It’s at best doubtful that a lot of money will be spent by folks flocking here to visit what I consider to be a grotesque monstrosity in Disney-esque surroundings.

At best, MacKinnon’s arguments are hollow and what he utterly fails to address is this indisputable fact: if this monument goes up, a beautiful and unique part of the national park will be destroyed forever.

Valerie Bird Sydney