Field of Crosses remembers thousands of southern Alberta’s soldiers
Posted Oct 25, 2015 3:51 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
More than 3,200 crosses line Memorial Dr., each inscribed with a name, age at death, rank and regiment for a soldier from southern Alberta. Volunteers helped set up the Field of Crosses on Memorial between 3rd St. N.W. and Centre St.
It helps mark 11 days of ceremonies starting November 1st and leading to Remembrance Day on November 11th. Every day when the sun rises, a bugler, piper, local dignitaries and family members will join the public as they raise the Canadian flag.
Director David Howard told 660 NEWS, these days, soldiers are coming back from overseas with post-traumatic stress disorder, and they’re among those struggling with the collapse of oil prices.
“Traditionally they’d go into the oil patch to find work. Those jobs aren’t there anymore. So this year’s Veterans’ Food Drive is very important. There are a lot of people in Calgary that are on tough times and certainly our soliders are a group of those.”
Howard hopes the 11 days of remembrance will help raise more money for the food drive and poppy fund, as well as give the public more time to meet and thank veterans.
