Memorial garden for veterans to expand
A memorial garden for Canadian veterans is growing.
Built into the courtyard at a nursing home in Gananoque, the Veterans’ Memorial Garden at Carveth Care Centre is set to expand with the addition of a new monument.
“The entire poem In Flanders Fields by Lt. Col John McCrae is going on the stone,” explains Tammy Kean about the memorial stone by Leeder Monuments that will sit approximately three feet high after it is installed.
“This means so much to our veterans,” says the Activity Aide and project leader, wistfully. “It’s personal to them and it is very important that it is worded right.”
Estimated to cost $3,000, the monument will receive a place of honour in the garden dedicated to Canadian veterans who lived at Carveth Care Centre.
A tropical oasis at the home, the garden includes 28 footstones with the names of men and women who served their country. Another 12 veterans currently live at the retirement and long-term care home.
“We, the Lions, felt that this was definitely a worthy cause and felt $1,000 was what we wanted to pledge,” says Sue Tunnicliffe, 1st Vice President of the Gananoque Lions Club. “I think most of us have someone who is dear to them who has been part of the veterans who served our country, and members of our families.”
Tasked with leading the club’s community projects and support, Sue presented the home with a donation on April 12 to help cover the cost of the monument.
“Many of us (Lions members) have some sort of tie to Carveth and many of us have relatives who are veterans (who live at Carveth),” she notes.
Grateful for the support, Tammy accepted the money on behalf of Gibson Family Health Care Charitable Foundation, the charitable body for Carveth Care Centre.
“We are extremely grateful for the community’s support,” says Tammy, kindly. “I am proud to say we have reached our fundraising goal thanks to the help of the Lions Club, Legion, Rotary Club, local businesses and donors. Anything we raise above our fundraising target will be put back into the garden.”
“It’s a good project,” says Doug Bickerton of the Gananoque Rotary Club during the presentation at Carveth Care Centre in April. “If people can’t get to a cenotaph, we can bring a memorial to them.”
“Our veterans served us well,” Tammy notes gratefully. “It is incumbent on us to honour their service and sacrifice. This monument will be a lasting tribute to our Canadian heroes.”
Carveth Care Centre would like to thank the community for its support to expand our veterans’ garden. The monument will be unveiled on Aug. 17, 2017. To donate to the garden, or our charitable foundation that improves the quality of life for residents who require long-term care, please call 613-382-4752 ext. 107