'Honour Our Veterans' banner program to commemorate military units, veterans

By Patricia Leboeuf | December 16, 2021 | Local
Several men and women stand in row outside, in front of Petawawa cenotaph stones, water tower in background
The Town of Petawawa will honour Garrison Petawawa units, past and present, through the “Honour Our Veterans” banner program. The program was officially announced on Dec. 3 in front of the cenotaph. On hand for the announcement were, from left, Councillors James Carmody and Murray Rutz, Captain Jeffrey Groom, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 517 Petawawa President Ralph Kendrick, Mayor Bob Sweet, Master Warrant Officer Jason Ellsworth, Deputy Mayor Gary Serviss, Rotary Club of Petawawa President Valerie Hyska, Graphic Designer (Creative Sparks) Lisa Twomey and Rotarian Ed Chow. (Photo by Patricia Leboeuf, Petawawa Post)

Petawawa will highlight the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members through its “Honour Our Veterans” banner program.

From mid-October to Remembrance Day, the town will display banners to honour and pay tribute to past and present military units at Garrison Petawawa. Each banner will include the unit’s name and cap badge, a Canadian flag, and a field of poppies.

The Rotary Club of Petawawa approached town council with the idea for the program, and it was officially adopted on Dec. 3.

It took a few years to bring the initiative to life, confirmed Petawawa Deputy Mayor Gary Serviss.

He had many people to thank for their efforts, as it required support from the town itself, the Rotary Club, Garrison Petawawa and the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 517 Petawawa.

“Each unit has to give approval to ensure that they were behind the project,” said Serviss.

It also required countless hours of research by Garrison Petawawa Military Museums Curator Ainsley Christensen, and Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Sean Chase with the 42nd Field Regiment, RCA Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment Association.

Creative Sparks Graphic Designer Lisa Twomey created the beautiful banners based on their research.

Donations will be the primary funding source for the program, with the cost to sponsor a banner at between $150 and $200.

“I’ve already purchased two banners,” said Mayor Bob Sweet, pointing out his donation will honour the Royal Canadian Dragoons and the Royal Canadian Regiment.

Captain (Capt) Jeffrey Groom and Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Jason Ellsworth were pleased to see the project come to fruition.

“Every time somebody from a unit will drive down the lane, it will just add to that appreciation,” said Capt Groom. “The support the community shows to the base is never unappreciated.”

The banner commemoration of the military will continue every year, starting in 2022.

The Legion will also have a banner of its own.

“If you are a veteran or a member of a veteran’s family, that is what we are here for,” said Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 517 President Ralph Kendrick.