The Royal Canadian Legion is pleased to announce this year’s National Silver Cross Mother, Candy Greff of Lacombe, Alberta. Mrs. Greff will have the honour of placing a wreath at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on Remembrance Day. She will remain in her national role until October 2023.
“Behind each fallen Veteran, is a story that resonates with us all,” says Bruce Julian, Dominion President of The Royal Canadian Legion. “Mrs. Greff and her family’s story is one of sacrifice and fortitude and the gratitude we have for them is eternal. We thank them for sharing the joy and the pain, with all of Canada.
There are two cemeteries in the Orangeville area, Forest Lawn and Greenwood. Although Canadian veterans are interred in both, only Forest Lawn bore a monument honouring those who served their country.
In 2017, Orangeville’s Branch 233 of the Royal Canadian Legion, through President Barry Kimber and Past President Chris Skalozub undertook to establish an appropriate monument at Greenwood, With the onset of Covid-19 and resultant shortfall in fundraising, the project was shelved in 2019.
Efforts were renewed in 2020 through inquiries and informational meetings with Orangeville Mayor Sandy Brown. As awareness and potential funding increased, preliminary inquiries were launched as to design and placement of the monument. A committee was formed comprising Mayor Brown, President Kimber and Legion members Chris Skalozub and Max Felice.
A design was submitted to the committee for approval and assigned to Tompkins and Heels Monuments for execution. The monument was completed and placed at Greenwood earlier this year. Accompanying landscaping was then completed by the Town of Orangeville, with sidewalk and concrete work provided by C&C Concrete and Greenwood Aggregates, readying the site for dedication.
Branch 233 conducted a dedication ceremony for the new monument on September 25, 2022. Mayor Sandy Brown and members of Orangeville Council, MP Kyle Seebach, MPP Sylvia Jones, Silver Cross Mother Valerie McGrady Royal Canadian Legion Zone Commanders, Sponsors and Donors were among those attending the service, featuring the renowned Act of Remembrance service dictated by Legion tradition.
When you visit Greenwood Cemetery, take a moment to pause at this remarkable testament to the outstanding community spirit of the sponsors and donors who made it possible, and to reflect on the memory of those who died in service to their country.
We will remember them.
Royal Canadian Legion, "Col. Fitzgerald" Branch
7 John Street, PO Box 141, Orangeville, ON L9W 2Z5 Canada
Copyright © 2023, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 233. All Rights Reserved.
Email: rcl233@rogers.com