Task team to address how County veterans are commemorated

By Sharon Harrison
With the County looking at ways to better recognize, remember and commemorate the contribution of Prince Edward County veterans, a task team, along with draft terms of reference, has been established as the way forward.

It will look at ways to better celebrate the historical contributions of County veterans, and elevate remembrance activities, as well as engage younger generations in remembrance and commemoration activities.

At Wednesday’s built and cultural heritage advisory committee meeting, three members of the committee, R. John Garside, Sandra Latchford and Michael Miller, were appointed to the new task team. It will act as a sub-committee of the built and cultural heritage advisory committee, and is expected to go before council (Nov. 10) for final approval.

One representative from each of the Picton, Wellington and Consecon Royal Canadian Legion branches will also form park of the task team, along with a representative from each of 851 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Cadets support committee, plus one youth air cadet representative.

The purpose of the task team is to consult, recommend, and in some cases, implement initiatives to enhance remembrance and commemoration of veterans connected to Prince Edward County. The team’s work is proposed to begin in January 2026 and will conclude by the end of summer.

The marking of Remembrance Day (Nov. 11) and Indigenous Veterans’ Day (Nov. 8), as well as general remembrance of the contribution of local veterans by the municipality to recognize local veterans now includes things such as the lowering of flags to half-mast (Shire Hall and all municipal buildings), commemorative crosswalks (new this year in Picton, Wellington and Consecon), commemorative street naming, mayoral proclamations and street pole banners.

“The goal of the proposed task team is to understand how the Prince Edward County community currently commemorates and remembers veterans, both in November and year-round, and consider whether there are additional opportunities that can be encouraged,” stated Sarah Harvey, programs and services assistant, in her report.

“The task team may provide recommendations for specific municipal actions, such as a suggestion included in Mr. Foulds’ deputation* in April, to add poppies to street signs that are commemorative of veterans. The task team may also identify opportunities for community-led initiatives that would engage residents, especially younger generations, in remembrance and commemoration.”

[* Tom Foulds, of 851 Prince Edward Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Cadets, spoke to council April 22, where council directed staff to report on opportunities to work with the Royal Canadian Legion and 851 Prince Edward Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Cadets on ways to better celebrate the historical contributions, as suggested in Mr. Foulds’ presentation.]

Old Boys’ Entrance, gazebo and inukshuk

Old Boys’ Memorial Entrance
Part of the plan for acknowledging and commemorating the County’s veterans is the revitalization of the Old Boys’ Memorial Entrance located at the Picton fairgrounds. County staff are currently working with the Picton Legion (Branch 78) and the Prince Edward Agricultural Society on the revitalization.

The Old Boys’ Memorial Entrance at the Picton Fairgrounds was built to honour County residents who sacrificed their lives in the First World War. The entrance is also recognized as an important part of the County’s veterans’ history, and has recently undergone a consultation process and some revitalization.

Those discussions also included the gazebo and the inukshuk sculpture (located on Picton Main Street) that sit beside the Old Boys’ Memorial Entrance, neither of which have anything to do with veterans, and have been called a distraction to the Old Boys’ Memorial Entrance building.

The gazebo and the inukshuk were built for the Olympic torch relay in 2009 as part of the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympic Games. Click here to see background story. 

Lisa Lindsay, director of recreation and community facilities provided an update Wednesday confirming the gazebo situated beside the Old Boys’ Memorial Entrance has now been removed.

She said the inukshuk sculpture is to be removed prior to Remembrance Day (removal currently scheduled for Nov. 7).

“It is going to be repositioned at the entrance of the Prince Edward Community Centre in the south-west corner, which would align with the entrance of the Huff Estate arena where there is a large shadow box display of the torch ceremony that occurred,” Lindsay confirmed.

She explained how removing the inuksuk is going to be a challenging move due to the bottom legs of the inukshuk being attached to the foundation of the sculpture in the ground.

“Believe it or not, it is in perfect condition with zero cracks.”

Advisory committee member councillor John Hirsch asked if there was any plan yet for what to do with the vacant space created by the removal of the gazebo and sculpture.

“We are going to try to have the garden area back in the same kind of situation it currently is,” Lindsay said, adding that they are still moving forward with revitalization of the Old Boys’ building.

“Also, we are going to be working, through consultation, with that entryway, so there will be more work that will be coming forward with the project,” she added. “But at this point in time, we are just going to be moving the inukshuk and making sure it doesn’t become an eyesore in its current location once it’s been moved.”

Referencing Harvey’s report, committee member Bob Waldon said he supported it, and was in favour of the task team, but added, “we have to be careful about biting off more than we can chew.

“I strongly support anything that broadens out, and makes more inclusive, the work that we are doing and to value the heritage in the County,” said Waldon. “I think it’s all good and it supports a lot of the planning and development policy imperatives as well as the strategic plan goals.”

Committee member Janice Gibbins also liked the idea of the task team, but had reservations about workload.

“I like the idea, but isn’t this committee… don’t we have enough on our hands without undertaking yet more responsibilities, even though I really like what they’re doing; I just think we have enough on our plates.“

The municipally supports the Legions in hosting Remembrance Day ceremonies at the cenotaphs in Picton, Wellington and Consecon through activities such as supporting road closures in Picton and Wellington, assistance with banner installation, and newly-installed commemorative crosswalks at three locations, notes the report.

Harvey’s report also notes how the municipality has also provided financial contribution to local remembrance and commemorative initiatives through the community grant program, with cash grants in 2025 going to the Wellington Community Association to honour Remembrance Day in Wellington, and 851 Squadron, Royal Canadian Cadets sponsoring committee to assist with the cost of renting facilities for programming.