New generation takes up Field of Crosses preparation ahead of Remembrance Day
Global News
A new group of volunteers is taking up the torch when it comes to setting up the Field of Crosses tribute along Calgary's Memorial Drive.
A new batch of volunteers is taking up the torch when it comes to setting up the Field of Crosses tribute along Calgary’s Memorial Drive.
For more than a decade, a dedicated group of veterans has been doing the grueling work of marking and drilling bases into the ground for each cross.
“It isn’t easy,” admits John Sereda with the Ypres 3 CAV motorcycle unit. “When we first started there were about 500 crosses but that was 15 years ago and since then it’s grown to over 3,600 bases.”
The crosses are displayed annually in November to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while in service.
The touching tribute is a labour of love for dozens of Canadian Army Veterans (CAV) who have dedicated their time over the years.
“Our CAV unit just grabbed onto it and it’s been our baby,” Sereda said. “Calgary’s great for volunteers and we’ve had fantastic volunteers to help us.”
However, Sereda admits that even with help from volunteers, the growing number of crosses and the work involved in marking and drilling the bases into the ground is putting a strain on the aging veterans.
“It’s brutal and the median age of the CAV members that do this is about 60-plus years,” Sereda explained. “This field that we’re on is an old car lot and we have to drill holes through the concrete.”