A new military crosswalk honoring Ojibwe, French, and English communities, will officially be unveiled in downtown Sarnia.
As part of a partnership between the Sarnia Legion Branch 62 and City of Sarnia, an unveiling ceremony will be held at the corner of Christina Street and Wellington Street on Sunday, June 7, at 2 p.m.
In a community invitation, Legion Vice President Ron Realesmith said the three languages were incorporated to reflect the diverse communities that have shaped the region.
"These languages honour the First Nations, French, and English communities who have stood in defense of Canada, and the generations of Canadians from all backgrounds who have worn the uniform, many of whom paid the ultimate sacrifice," read a statement. "By including all three languages, we acknowledge that remembrance is not the story of one group, but of many. It is a shared history of courage, service, and unity."
The Ojibwe wording, "Gaawiin ka-nenmaasiinaanik" means "Don't forget about them," and the French wording, "Nous nous souviendrons," means "We Will Remember." In English, the text reads, "We Will Remember/ Lest We Forget".
Representatives from the Canadian Armed Forces, local cadet units, the pipe band, and members of the Royal Canadian Legion will take part in Sunday's ceremony. Members of the public are invited to attend.
The intersection of Christina Street and Wellington Street will be closed to through traffic on Sunday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. to accommodate the ceremony.
The Veterans Park Crosswalk, near the Sarnia Library, was unveiled in 2022.
