PEACEKEEPER CAIRN

On behalf of the members and executive of the LGen RR Crabbe Chapter of the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping, I would like to thank everyone for their support and assistance in obtaining funding for our Provincial Peacekeepers Cairn. This Cairn was dedicated on Memorial Blvd, Winnipeg, Manitoba on Sunday the 8th of Aug 2004. It was dedicated to those Peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the service of our country since the signing of the United Nations Charter on the 24 October 1945.

The three pillars of strength represent the Army, Navy, Air Force and most recently our RCMP. They represent our PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE and we have dedicated this Cairn to all our Canadian Peacekeepers who have lost their lives in the Service of Peace.

The center pillar is 12’ tall with a 45 degree beveled top to show the United Nations medal engraved into the stone. The word “PRESENT” is engraved into the pillar vertically. The pillar to the left is 10’ tall, has the same degree bevel showing the Peacekeeping medal and the word “PAST” engraved vertically into the front of the pillar. The pillar to the right is 8’ tall with the same bevel as the others and showing the Peacekeeping Medal on the top with the word “FUTURE” engraved vertically into the front. The total weight of the Cairn is approximately 33,000 lbs. The location of the Cairn is north of the Women’s Tri-Service Monument on Memorial Boulevard and faces north toward Portage Avenue.

Manitoba has declared the 9th of August as Peacekeeping Day and celebrate it on the closest Sunday to that date. Therefore, the unveiling and dedication of the Cairn took place on Memorial Boulevard at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, 8th of August, 2004.

We had representatives from our Military, the RCMP, ANAVETS, Royal Canadian Legions, War Amputations of Canada, Hong Kong Veterans, Korea Veterans, Air Force Association, Jewish War Veterans Association and many other Associations in our Province to honour our Canadian Peacekeepers. I would also add that these same organizations contributed money towards the Cairn. We also had a crowd of over 300 spectators to watch the Unveiling and Dedication Ceremonies. Upon completion of the unveiling we returned to our Home Unit 283 ANAVETS for refreshments and lunch. There were over 250 people that returned for comradeship for the afternoon.

In closing I also thank the local media for their excellent coverage of this event.

For more pictures of the Cairn click the camera to go to my Photo Album page