A touching initiative is gaining traction in several small towns throughout eastern Ontario, where light and hydro poles are being decorated with banners that honor local veterans.
In Almonte, 12 new banners now decorate the street in front of the cenotaph, serving as a visual reminder of the town’s history and sacrifices.
“I think our veterans are maybe being left in the past, and this just puts them out in front,” said Peggy Byrne, who played a key role in launching the program.
Byrne, an executive at the Almonte branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, mentioned that interest in the program is increasing and she anticipates more volunteers will help hang additional banners next year.
Families can sponsor a banner for $300, which covers printing costs, hardware and installation. The banners are displayed from the third week of September until after Remembrance Day.
![]()
The town of Perth, Ont., now has 365 banners on display to honour local veterans. (Robyn Miller/CBC)
Mary Rozenberg expressed that it’s a wonderful way to pay tribute to the men and women who gave so much for Canada. She collaborated with Byrne to create this program after seeing something similar in New Brunswick.
Her father, retired lieutenant John Rozenberg, is a veteran who served as a peacekeeper with NATO in West Germany during the Cold War. Her daughter currently serves in the Royal Canadian Navy.
“[I’m] very proud of his service … and I’m very proud of my daughter’s service as well,” she said.
Similar banner programs have been established in towns like Carleton Place, Smiths Falls, Kemptville and Perth, where it all started four years ago.
![]()
Mary Rozenberg helped start the veteran banner program in Almonte, Ont., after she saw a similar program in New Brunswick. (Robyn Miller/CBC)
Residents Sue Doran and Pat Loftus were instrumental in leading the initiative in Perth where there are currently 365 banners on display.
“It’s raised the profile of all veterans.. and it’s surprising how much goodwill there is when people walk through town pointing up at a banner. That’s my proudest moment,” Loftus shared.
Doran noted that they had such high demand that they quickly ran out of light poles for attaching banners; they’re now planning to use hydro poles as well.
“We are a military town here in Perth, and just putting up notices at our legion bulletin board about interest was amazing-the number of people who wanted to get involved,” Doran added.
Families in Perth can sponsor a banner for $275.
Veteran Tony Nichols has his photo featured on a banner at his driveway end alongside his grandfather’s banner.
![]()
Nichols, 84, stands proudly beneath his banner that hangs next to one honouring his grandfather. (Ryan Garland/CBC)
“A lot of people don’t recognize it because it’s a picture of me when I was 27 years old. Being 84 now, it’s a bit of a change,” joked Nichols,a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot for 30 years.
He views these banners as chances to share history with younger generations.
“Our town is like many others across eastern Ontario,” he remarked. “There’s quite an encouraging number of banner programs out there. As a veteran myself, I feel really connected with it.”
Organizers from Perth stated any remaining funds after setting up these banners will support various initiatives assisting veterans.
Source link
Source link
