Our city's rich military legacy will be honoured with a new memorial.
The Calgary Soldiers' Memorial is being built just west of Louise Bridge along Memorial Drive.
The names of 3000 Calgarians who died in WWI, WWII and Afghanistan will be emblazoned on six huge stone tablets, including the name Nathan Hornburg, who was killed in Afghanistan in 2007.
His father says the memorial will be a symbol of freedom.
"And hopefully be aware that we do have these kind of freedoms because somebody else somewhere sacrificed for us," said Michael Hornburg.
The project was started by the Calgary Highlanders with support from all of the Calgary-based army reserve units.
The memorial was created by the Marc Boutin Architectural Group, but Boutin sought a lot of input on the final design.
"The design came from the soldiers' group, the Calgary regiments for sure. They had a vision about making a connection to history and traditions that are embedded in the military. So certainly the notion of a large stone that was engraved was central to the vision," commented Boutin.
Alderman Druh Farrell says the Calgary Soldiers' Memorial will be a great addition to the landscape of memory.
"With the Soldiers' Memorial, the Poppy Plaza, with the Peace Bridge, we as a city are stating how important this part of our history and ongoing history, because sadly, we keep on adding to these memorials, how important it is to Calgarians," said Farrell.
Colonel Thomas Putt, with the Canadian Brigade Group, says the memorial will help re-enforce a message of support for the Canadian military.
"It shows Canadian soldiers when they come through here, and Canadians and Calgarians, that the military is always there to do what it is supposed to do for you," said Putt.
The memorial is being built with donations from the Enmax Legacy Parks Fund, other corporations, service clubs and individuals.
The Calgary Soldiers' Memorial will be officially dedicated on Remembrance Day.
