Lethbridge Salute Our Veterans Project now displaying banners leading up to Remembrance Day
The Royal Canadian Legion General Stewart Branch No.4 first year of the Lethbridge Salute Our Veterans Project was well received in the community. “With this year roll out of 80 banners, this initiative shows the desire of families, businesses and organizations to honour and salute those men and women who have served past and present.” says Paul Brundige, President of the General Stewart Branch No. 4. This project is a two-part program of Veterans Banners placed on select city light poles in areas with historical military significance. These locations include areas around City Hall, the Royal Canadian Legion, the Army Navy and Air Force Club, the train station and Lethbridge Airport. Banners that are purchased and will be displayed each year from 1 October through Remembrance Day. A “Virtual Banner Gallery” also allows the public to access each banner together with a short biography of each veteran. It can be found and shared to friends and family on the website under the banners section. Community pride is one of the results that has been shared from the public with the Legion. June and Jim Matkin sponsored a relative who enlisted in Lethbridge during WW1. “The banner project would be a good way to honour someone he never met says Jim Matkin.” He didn’t know anything about Larsons war service until after the passing of his great grandmother. Driver Larson died instantly from a shell on 16 November 1916. He is buried at Sunken Road cemetery, France. Larson was a large influence in early Lethbridge history. Matkin recently donated all his WW1 papers and letters home to the Galt Museum and Archives. He in not quite ready to give up the medals just yet.
The Legion expects interest will swell when the public sees these banners now on display. The cost to sponsor a banner is $225. Another 90 banners are available for the 2023 year. Applications are now being accepted but can be submitted year-round on a first come first served basis. The cut off for 2023 banners is June 30th to allow the required lead time for fabrication and delivery. More information can be found on the banner project website lethbridgeveteransbanners.ca
Lethbridge Military Museum
The Lethbridge Military Museum was established to promote and exhibit the military history of Lethbridge from 1899 to the present. In so doing the museum offers an assortment of local documents, artefacts, medals, photos, and stories which illustrate this history and connection to Southern Alberta. In addition, the museum will endeavour to promote the collection, preservation, and research of military artefacts which are of historical significance to Lethbridge.
The area covered is not just the City of Lethbridge but Southern Alberta. Anyone who would like to make an offer of a donation can contact the museum. The ability to preserve and share the rich military history is vital to informing current and future generations. A courtyard greets visitors featuring a collection of several larger objects and memorial benches to pause and reflect. A stone feature in the shape of a poppy consists of outer rings where a veteran or supporter of the museum can purchase to have their name engraved on a brick.
The Lethbridge Military Museum will be open after the Remembrance Day service. One of the main permanent features of the museum is “The Mural of Remembrance” This interactive display consists of 60 individual one foot squares of a person or scene combine to form the mural. It is a very popular interact exhibit to experience in person or on the internet available on the museum website to experience and share.
The museum is open Wednesdays from noon to 4 pm. It is located inside the Vimy Ridge Armoury located at 337 Stubb Ross Road beside the Lethbridge airport. Should groups require other timings arrangements can be made by calling 403 892 3561.
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