SIR WINSTON CHURCHILL UNIT 3 MEMORIAL PARK
EDMONTON GARRISON
The majority of people have either used, read or heard the phrase "death before dishonour"; but what about the phrase "dishonour after death"?
This is exactly what Edmonton Garrison exhibits with the lack of effort to maintain the Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Park located at the base.
The Sir Winston Churchill Unit 3 Memorial Park was dedicated 18 September 1993 to honour the service personnel who have died in the line of duty since the base was established in 1941.
Approximately 800 people, military and civilian attended the dedication ceremony. Lieutenant - General G.S. Clements dedicated the plaque that honours fallen service personnel.
The park designed like a small airport is open to the public. When built it featured four restored military planes and a Kiowa helicopter. The park design also included a memorial wall containing black plaques showing the names of those deceased; and a fountain. The park is now in deplorable condition and a testament to those no longer caring about the personnel who died or their remaining families.
The park was installed under 18 Wing Air Command. CFB Edmonton due to budget restraints, was transferred to Land Forces, Edmonton Garrison in 1994. The last memorial plaque installed by Land Forces is dated 2002. We are all aware that many more service men and women have forfeited their lives during the past eight years - the majority of them based in Edmonton.
We still have serving members in combat and training roles and unfortunately they sometimes sacrifice their lives to preserve the freedom we treasure.
Photos taken 25 July 2010
At Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Park
Edmonton Garrison
Proudly erected in 1993
Mushrooms growing in the park
Weeds and long grass
More weeds on pathway
The only source of flowers are dandelions
Weeds will soon overtake this monument
Patched pathway
Fountain area
Weeds arount the wall where the plaques used to be
One of the original plaques on fountain wall
Residue left on wall after removing memorial plaques
Fountain that is supposed to be flowing
Unkept lawn and weeds
Remainder of base that once held an aircraft
No bedding plants of any type - only dandelions
Only one symbol of equipment at the end of the cracked runway
Overgrown trees provide colour to the park
Once proud to have their names on the dedication plaque
Plaques installed at the Chapel of St Luke and St John.
Memorial plaques removed from Sir Winston Churchill Park
Plaques list the names of those who died from 194l to 2002
Compare the memorials at other bases or cities.
Boar War Memorial - Brantford Ontario
Canadian Memorial - Afghanistan
Canadian Memorial Wall plaques - Afghanistan
General Worthington Memorial Park - CFB Borden
RCHA Memorial - Kingston Ontario
The Canoe River Memorial - CFB Shilo
I have had meetings with various Base Commanders and written letters to them and the media -
all to no avail.
Your support would be appreciated.
Jackie Black - Wife of Sgt W.P. Black (deceased)
It is a sad story that our troops have given their lives for this country and some have been so injuried and others with other side effects of war. We should honor them in the best and most compassionate manner. Keeping up the gardens, stone-work, The way the grounds are kept is a disgrace to our loved ones and family that visit to morn the soldier who fought for us all. They should be ashamed of themselves. The Government must put more money into this memorial site and see that it has both beauty and a place of solace and beautiful gardens to surround our loved ones and their families, as I know they visit many many times. Shame of the Government not to help and the Media should revisit this site. Start to show more coverage of the troops from our County (Edmonton site ) and see and show the public what this looks like comparted to others.
ReplyDeleteJackie,
ReplyDeleteI remember visiting the Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Park when it was first established, and while it was sad to see that the name W. P. Black (Bill) was amongst those who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty for their country, there was at least some solace in knowing that the Memorial Park would stand as tribute not only to Bill but to those who fell before him and those that would have the misfortune to follow.
Being not only the wife of a career soldier, but the daughter of one as well, I know how important it is to you Jackie that those who have fallen be remembered with both respect and dignity. I am aware of how hard you have tried to uphold these values when it comes to the preservation of the Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Park at the Edmonton Garrison.
I know you have met with several Edmonton Garrison commanders over the years, time and again, and have been promised time and again that the deplorable state of the Memorial Park would be addressed, only to have that commander transferred out and the matter seemingly swept under the rug, leaving you to start your quest once again.
The powers that be need to take notice!
Simply put, "The current state of the Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Park at Edmonton Garrison is a disgrace". It not only disrespects every member of the Canadian Armed Forces, but all those families and loved ones left behind.
It pains me to see that you have to continuously fight to have this tribute to those fallen brethren restored in a manner that common sense dictates it should. A tribute is an expression of gratitude or praise, indicative of value, evidence of a good quality in someone who has made the supreme sacrifice.
Love ya,
Yo Bro
I have visited memorials and cemeteries in France, Belgium, and Luxembourg in memory of Canadians who died while serving their country. They are kept in perfect condition. Literally, not a blade of grass out of place. I wish that those responsible for keeping our Edmonton Memorial Park as a place to commemorate our lost service members, would take time to think about that. If other countries can do this in memory of our dead, why can't we? Linda
ReplyDeleteFew days ago I had a dream. It was about somekind of a park. I only remembered it was far away and the phrase: 'Edmonton Park in Wiston'. I'm not a fan of parapsychology, ghost stories or else, but you must be in doubt when after googling the phrase you find this and other websites about Sir Winston Churchill Memorial Park at Edmonton Garrison and a reason why the souls could be haunting us. Just wonna add I'm Polish, have never been to Canada, have no Canadian ancestors and I've never heard of Edmonton Garrison, but I think something should be done about the Memorial's condition, for mine and 'their' peace. If you need to you can contact me at nrp47@wp.pl
ReplyDeleteThis is a great article with fantastic photos.
ReplyDeleteMachineplate Plaque
Engraved Plaque
Jackie
ReplyDeleteI am the daughter of F/O R. Grant Officer who was killed 22 Jan 55 along with 2 others when their Mitchell crashed near Namao. A family member tried to put flowers at the memorial, to remember this 66th year, to find the plaques gone. They should be installed at the new Park, Roundel Lake, in Griesbach Village, but sadly, they are not. We are trying to find where they are and why they are not in the new Park. The Princess Pat's have their memorial plaques at patricia Lake in the new Park. If the Army thinks no one cares...they can think again.