The cenotaph in downtown Chatham has been rededicated after years of restoration.
A ceremony and parade were held on Sunday morning at Memorial Square, where a mural to commemorate the event and veterans lost in war was unveiled beside the monument.
The mural is part of a project called Gathering Our Heroes. The project aims to compile the names and stories of heroes from Chatham-Kent who served in the First and Second World Wars. So far, there are 10,143 listings in the heroes directory.
"These are the stories of ordinary people who accomplished extraordinary things for their country during extremely difficult times," said project officials. "This website archive will preserve the contributions of our local heroes in a way which is technologically relevant today and for the future generations of our community and beyond."
Chatham Legion President Len Maynard told the crowd that Memorial Square in downtown Chatham, located at King Street and 6th Street, is sacred ground and must be treated with respect, referring to the vandalism at the cenotaph in recent years.
Maynard said the cenotaph is in the same spot where Canadian militia and Chief Tecumseh made a stand against advancing American forces in the War of 1812.
The Chatham cenotaph was erected after the First World War to serve as a reminder of the "horrific cost of our freedom," Maynard told the crowd.
He said he's heard the cenotaph described as a war monument, but he disagrees, instead calling it a "monument of peace and freedom."
Maynard noted that no one wants war, but he believes Canadians will always stand in line to defend our country.
He is calling on schools to do more to educate youth about the respect the cenotaph deserves.
The rededication ceremony was held after the restoration of the monument over the last two years.