Topic: Where should the monuments come home to?

[jollyjacktar]

The KAF memorial should go to the War Museum

The Inukshuk as well.

My 

I could not agree more, Jim.  That is a fitting place where they will be safe from vandalism and dishonour.

[Jim Seggie]

I could not agree more, Jim.  That is a fitting place where they will be safe from vandalism and dishonour.

I have a personal stake in this. Besides Mike, John Wayne Faught and CWO Girouard are there.

[Webgear]

The Inukshuk should go  to 3VP.

[milnews.ca]

The Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Peter MacKay, and Chief of the Defence Staff General Walt Natynczyk today announced that the Joint Task Force Afghanistan Cenotaph to Our Fallen, currently located at the Kandahar Air Field, will be brought home to an undetermined location in the nation’s capital.

(....)

On November 12th, the cenotaph will start to be dismantled and all components that can be removed and transported will be returned to Canada. It will be carefully stored until an appropriate location within the National Capital Region can be identified.

 “We will be honoured to have the Joint Task Force Afghanistan Cenotaph in the Capital Region,” said Marie Lemay, Chief Executive Officer at the National Capital Commission. “It will contribute to the Capital's ability to tell the story of who we are as Canadians.”

The cenotaph was erected in 2006 at Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, and added to over time. There are now 189 memorial plaques, some of them representing multiple members: 149 plaques honour fallen Canadian Forces members, a Foreign Affairs official (Glyn Berry), a Canadian journalist (Michelle Lang), and a civilian from a contracted company (Marc Cyr, SNC Lavalin). The other 40 plaques honour the 39 U.S. military and one civilian member who died while serving under Canadian command. At present, there is only one plaque remaining to be added, that being for Master-Corporal Byron Greff.

In the interim, and to mark the fact that the mission continues, a one-metre high stone along with the bas-relief plaque, designed by Ms. Sylvia Pecota and currently the centrepiece to the cenotaph, will be transported to Canadian Forces in Kabul. It will be transported back to Canada when the Canadian Forces contribution to the Afghanistan mission is over.

CF news release, 10 Nov 11

More info in Backgrounder here.

[jollyjacktar]

I'm glad it is coming home.  It will be with mixed feelings when I see it again.  For me it is a powerful totem and never failed to bring my emotions roiling inside even though I saw it on a daily basis when in camp my last tour.   

[FormerHorseGuard]

I thought of the places I think the big memorial should go.
1) Main parade square at RMC so the future leaders see the cost of being a leader is not always pretty
2) I thought Kingson near the shoreline of Lake Ontario so it can stand with the memorial of our first war ( 1812) reminding us of the cost of being a free Nation.
3) Trenton as long as the public can see it and respect it.
 But since I read all the posts I read it is going to Ottawa, there is a square across from the National War Memorial that  has statues of of Historical Military  leaders and I feel it should go there and rest with the Heros of Canadian History.

The inuksuk should go home to PPCLI home and be on display outside the RSM's Office as reminder to everyone, sooner rather than later everyone has to see stand infront of the RSM and explain him or herself , be a good reminder of the Regiments current history  and it would be well care for I am sure.

The Reserve units who lost soldiers, should get castings made of the fallens names and the casting should be placed in the soldiers mess when everyone of that  mess will remember the Res Force is not a weekend warrior but it is a calling.

I wish I was able to write well enough to make my  thoughts make sense when read  but hope most people here get my thoughts and understand.

If no one wants the memorials  in their backyard, I will gladly  give up some land in front of my  house on highway  60 and put all the memorials there and look after them forever, and make sure the fallen are always remembered.

[dogger1936]

1) Main parade square at RMC so the future leaders see the cost of being a leader is not always pretty

That's one of the best idea's I've heard. Maybe on the outside of the Royal Military College Memorial Arch. Be a great symbol of the school days are over welcome to soldiering.

[tristismilitis]

http://thechronicleherald.ca/canada/32695-cenotaph-coming-home-kandahar

While some potential locations have apparently already been ruled out I am curious what others think about the most appropriate final destination for this cenotaph.
It has become a widely recognized symbol of our losses during our years there and I hope a satisfactory location can be determined (sometimes I think it would be great if a poll like this were available on a larger scale to help the powers that be come to a decision that would please the majority). Hint hint.

Edit: hyperlink modified.

[Jim Seggie]

The National War Museum is the appropriate location. The fallen are all Canadians, and to put it in a place like RMC - which produces officers - I think would be a slap in the face to the NCMs.

[ArmyVern]

I have a little piece of it for you Jim. 

It IS going to Ottawa folks  .... drop all the other musings.

[milnews.ca]

It IS going to Ottawa folks  .... drop all the other musings.

And poll edited to reflect that.

Milnet.ca Staff

[jollyjacktar]

The National War Museum is the appropriate location. The fallen are all Canadians, and to put it in a place like RMC - which produces officers - I think would be a slap in the face to the NCMs.

Well maybe not so much a slap in the face per se, but it would limit Canadian's exposure and opportunity to visit it.  I know I would not step a foot into the grounds at RMC, but I would go to the War Museum to see it.  Ottawa is the logical choice being the national capital.  Far better the politicians get reminded of the results of where they decide to send us in their stead.  Officers also are along for the ride with the rest of us too.  The Hill is the place that needs the gentle nudge IMHO,and contrary to FHG's suggestion which does have merit but not the impact.

[ArmyVern]

Comment added to reflect my vote in the poll:

Other: Currently sourcing NCR land with easy and convenient access to all and investigating options to create a park setting that will also house the KAF Monument. I believe that is what they will eventually decide to go with.

Nortel: Although an option, I hear that access may be impeded for families who wish to visit (along with your average everyday Canadians as well) due to the campus' distance from the downtown core.

CWM/Beechwood: I hear this isn't happening either as this war is not over yet --- 2014 until our Canadian folks are all back home.


Talk is that the Monument will go into LTS until suitable NCR land can be found; it has already been deconstructed here, is crated up and is being escorted back. I can perhaps find some of the TF photos of it's deconstruction.


Why is RMC getting any attention for a location still? It certainly shouldn't be --- Read about 5 posts down the statement from the MND stating that it would be going to Ottawa.

The rest of you can vote as you wish, but I'm sticking with my vote  ...   

[HavokFour]

Me and my grandmother were talking about this earlier this morning, she thinks the gardens at the Experimental Farm would be a nice place to put it because it is always being tended to year round.

Ultimately I agree with Jim, the War Museum is the best spot.

[milnews.ca]

.... The Hill is the place that needs the gentle nudge IMHO ....

While senior decision makers are happy to share good news on Parliament Hill, I'll bet a $50 donation to a military family charity that Parliament Hill is NOT where a memorial to war dead will end up.

.... Talk is that the Monument will go into LTS until suitable NCR land can be found; it has already been deconstructed here, is crated up and is being escorted back ....

A few hints from the Backgrounder (attached w/the news release in case the links above stop working) - highlights mine:

.... Consideration is also being given to having the cenotaph plaques available for public display at select military bases during the period in which a site in Ottawa is being assessed and prepared.

On November 12th, the cenotaph will be dismantled and all components that can be removed and transported, will be returned to Canada. The cenotaph will be carefully stored until an appropriate location within the National Capital Region can be identified: this will be the subject of consultations and advice from the National Capital Commission. A detailed set of drawings and photos are being compiled in order to enable the cenotaph’s re-construction.

The cenotaph, at 21m by 8 m, was built with locally available materials in Kandahar, without an explicit intent for it to be relocated to Canada at the end of the combat mission.  Engineering assessments indicate that some of its components may be too fragile to be moved in its entirety, nor is the cenotaph able to survive long-term exposure to Canadian temperature extremes ....

[jollyjacktar]

While senior decision makers are happy to share good news on Parliament Hill, I'll bet a $50 donation to a military family charity that Parliament Hill is NOT where a memorial to war dead will end up.

Not suggesting the Hill.  Just that the denizens of the Hill are the ones whom need to be reminded of the cost of their desires.  If it was in the NCR, it would be available for them to look and learn from.  I like the CWM as a safe location for it to be displayed out of the clutches of those whom might be tempted to desecrate it.

[CountDC]

museum - lot more visits so more visibility.  Noticed concern about Canadian weather being too harsh (since when?) - perhaps it could be sealed against the elements or located inside?

Beechwood - not as many visits but it would fit in nicely.  It is well maintained everytime I have been there - at least the military area. 

My vote is the museum for the exposure to the public and easier to find.  I still miss Beechwood half the time and end up turning around to get in there.

I also think they should update the current in Ottawa with the start date and leave the end date open to be added later.

You might actually be surprised by the support the military gets in Ottawa.  Many of the people appreciate us even if they do not agree with the government policy.  Most understand we are not the ones they have the issue with.  I have several times had someone at a bus stop or walking down the street say thank you for serving.   Even had an old native Canadian in the Rideau Centre shake my hand, tell me he likes and respects us but hates our government. Never had that anywhere else. Spit and name calling I have had - some people watch too much American TV (think Vietnam).

[Canadian.Trucker]

I agree with the original going to the National War Museum, it should be something to share with all Canadians so they can truly understand the sacrifice that was made on their behalf.  Same with the local cenotaphs that wish to add to the current monuments, provide them with a template so that there is uniformity but not limit it to just where they grew up/lived last etc.  As stated there could be multiple places due to a split family etc. that want to pay tribute to their heroes, and they shouldn't be limited.

[milnews.ca]

Not suggesting the Hill.  Just that the denizens of the Hill are the ones whom need to be reminded of the cost of their desires.  If it was in the NCR, it would be available for them to look and learn from.

Seen - thanks.

[Jim Seggie]

I have a little piece of it for you Jim. 

It IS going to Ottawa folks  .... drop all the other musings.

Thank you Vern!!

[tristismilitis]

My concern with the National War Museum is twofold. First: the museum has said on several occasions that they do not wish to have a large permanent exhibit with regard to the Afghanistan mission (because it is the War museum, not the Afghanistan museum, that is why the fantastic display that had been there for a few years was dismantled and moved to Calgary). The cenotaph is not something I personally could handle being boxed up for storage and only brought out every so many years.
Second: the museum requires an admission fee. Should it cost money for a citizen to go spend some time with this memorial?
I do love the museum and indeed I go there annually when I am in Ottawa, but I'm just not sure it's the very best place without the above issues being resolved.
I also visit Beechwood whenever I can (which is free and also a very important historical site) and in my mind's eye I have a picture of a solid style glass structure housing the cenotaph that would help protect the materials from the ice and snow. Just a thought. I'm open to others though I imagine the final say will be the NCC's.

[milnews.ca]

.... Just a thought. I'm open to others though I imagine the final say will be the Government of Canada's, in consultation with NCC.

Fixed that for you.

[tristismilitis]

Fixed that for you.

"The National Capital Commission (NCC) is a Crown corporation of the Government of Canada."

Figured that went without saying but thanks. 
My point was only that it would be good to hear other thoughts even though they may not have any impact on where the cenotaph's final home will be.

[ArmyVern]

Thank you Vern!!

No problem. 

I'll try to send you some pics of the marking, mapping, deconstruction and pack-up that occured. It was quite the engineering feat and the lads did an excellent job of respecting its significance. I also have a pic somewhere for you of Mike on November 11th - I left him with my poppy as did Krystie.

[milnews.ca]

"The National Capital Commission (NCC) is a Crown corporation of the Government of Canada."

Figured that went without saying but thanks. 
My point was only that it would be good to hear other thoughts even though they may not have any impact on where the cenotaph's final home will be.

I was only making the point that the NCC isn't where the buck stops.

Agreed it's good to hear other ideas, and this is a good place to seek this kind of input - thanks for posting the survey to get things going.