Vimy anniversary put purpose of Cenotaph into perspective

May 17, 2017 · 1 Comments

How ironic is it that recently we spend so much ink and time both nationally and locally to glorify the wonders of Vimy Ridge.
Here is a monument to our fallen soldiers without any signs of the absurd glorification of war. Here is a monument that is dedicated to the memory of those who died as a reminder that war is not to be glorified.
The monument reflects the contemplative respect that our soldiers deserve, while opposing war and its atrocities. It stands as a reminder for those that gave their lives without the need or desire to show how these lives were taken.
We have here in Aurora a Cenotaph and park that presently stands, as well, as a reflective monument to those who gave their lives and are buried in far off lands. It’s reminder by the names upon the Cenotaph and the black marble altars that these soldiers were part of our community, that they believed in a world worth defending for future generations.
Council has previously approved without debate or reference to the Heritage Committee, to install a symbol of the very thing that is the cause of death of so many soldiers in what is presently their honorary graveyard.
This Cenotaph and park belong to the memories of those soldiers by the people of Aurora and surrounding area and should remain so.
There is no direct link to Aurora with these LAVs. There is no justification to place this machine anywhere near the Cenotaph. There are other more suitable locations to showcase these glorifications of war.
If a memorial to the Afghan involvement is to be placed near the Cenotaph it should reflect the utmost respect that this area deserves and for those soldiers that were involved in this campaign.
I once again ask that council please review this previous decision.
There is still time to leave the Cenotaph and Peace Park to the soldiers in honour of what they gave.

John Sanders
Aurora

Barry Hall says:

I take issue with this current use of the term ‘glorification’. It suggests that while remembering those that have made the ultimate sacrifice is okay we must dissociate ourselves from the trappings of war as if to say, “we’re not like that anymore”.
My wife and I were at Vimy last month (after the big show when it was quieter and much colder). Three of the eleven thousand names of those with no known grave were related to me.
True, there are no weapons on display, but the grimness of war is there.
On Hill 145.
It is in the trenches, the shell holes, the tunnels and the small signs warning of unexploded ammunition.
It is a sobering monument to sacrifice erected on blood-soaked ground.
As you say, in Aurora we have a cenotaph where we can remember the fallen. The LAV monument simply reflects the sacrifice made by young Canadians in a different place and time.
Aside from the fact that the LAV was mainly used to offer our troops protection we should be reminded that the point isn’t to glorify the vehicle, but rather to remember those that were sent into harm’s way to use it.
Lest We Forget.

12:07 am on May 20, 2017

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