The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Tuesday is Remembrance Day, a time for residents to come together in honouring the unimaginable sacrifices of Canadian veterans. But rather than spending one day recognizing their contributions, as important as that is, wouldnÕt it be wonderful if we had a permanent symbol of remembrance? Yes, there already is the Cenotaph monument and its enduring message of ÒLest We Forget.Ó But with so few vets remaining from the last massive conflict, the Second World War, and with Canadian soldiers again coming home in flag-draped coffins, now is the opportune time to improve upon what we have. In the summer of 2007, Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 73 requested of City Hall that Hapnot Street Ð where the Legion is located Ð be rechristened ÒVeterans Lane.Ó The Legion suggested that if council would rather keep the Hapnot designation, then perhaps they could consider renaming another street. As meritorious as the LegionÕs first request was, it doesnÕt appear viable. City Hall says itÕs not impossible to rename Hapnot Street, but it would be highly cumbersome for the municipality and inconvenient for the many people who reside on the street, each of whom would suddenly have a new legal address. Mayor Tom Therien says the LegionÕs request would be easier to fulfill if it involved a street with no civic addresses, unlike Hapnot with its bevy of houses and apartment suites. Laudably, city council has promised to keep ÒVeterans LaneÓ on the list of potential street names should a new subdivision open up. But since it could be years before a subdivision is developed, if ever, council should take a closer look at existing roads. There are several streets that would not require any address changes. Elm Street (off of Hemlock Drive) and West Avenue (between Riverside Drive and Queen Street) come to mind, but theyÕre tiny and about as un-noteworthy as streets get. If this community is to bestow a title as distinguished as Veterans Lane, it should not be in some obscure locale. ThatÕs why Pine Avenue may make the most sense. Pine Avenue connects two of our busiest streets, Green and Queen. ItÕs in one of the nicest areas of the city, and its name (unlike Hapnot Street, Steventon Boulevard and the like) carries no historical significance. Turning Pine Avenue into Veterans Lane would further immortalize the contributions made by Flin FlonÕs many courageous veterans, those who are still with us and those who are not. With the number of Second World War veterans waning with the passage of time, this renaming would ideally be completed sooner rather than later. And it would only be fitting that vets from WWII, Korea, Afghanistan and other conflicts be invited to participate in the unveiling of the new street signs. Renaming any street, even one without any residential addresses, is a time-consuming endeavour. But in the grand scheme of things itÕs a relatively simple act that would go a long way toward honouring those who can never be honoured enough. * * * Since Remembrance Day 2007, our country has lost 26 of its finest in Afghanistan. This Tuesday, say a prayer for these brave souls who left us far too early: Sgt. Prescott Shipway; Cpl. Andrew Grenon; Private Chad Horn; Cpl. Mike Seggie; Sgt. Shawn Eades; Sapper Stephan Stock; Cpl. Dustin Wasden; Master Cpl. Erin Doyle; Master Cpl. Josh Roberts; Cpl. James Arnal; Private Colin Wilmot; Cpl. Brendan Downey; Cpt. Jonathan Snyder; Cpt. Richard Leary; Cpl. Michael Starker; Private Terry Street; Sgt. Jason Boyes; Bombardier Jrmie Ouellet; Trooper Michael Hayakaze; Cpl. tienne Gonthier; Trooper Richard Renaud; Cpl. Eric Labb; Warrant Officer Hani Massouh; Gunner Jonathan Dion; Cpl. Nicolas Beauchamp; Private Michel Lvesque. Local Angle runs Fridays.
