‘It’s heartwarming:’ City of Moose Jaw honours veterans with banners

It’s normal to see people wearing a poppy to honour veterans in November, but on top of its poppy campaign, the City of Moose Jaw is honouring veterans with a banner project.

A total of 23 banners fly proudly on Main Street in downtown Moose Jaw.

Mayor Clive Tolley said the banners serve as a reminder.

“I think it reminds us all about their service to the country. Seeing their faces reminds us that they served so we could have peace today,” he said.

This banner, right in front of City Hall, honours John Alexander Irwin. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)

The families of the veterans paid to have the banners made to honour their loved ones.

“They are a tribute to people who served in the Canadian Armed Forces, many of whom lost their lives fighting in the First World War and Second World War. It’s allowing the members of their family to always keep in mind the contribution that their family member made to our freedom,” Tolley said.

Tolley said the project was taken on by Moose Jaw’s Heritage Advisory Committee. There’s room for 40 banners.

“So in the coming years there will be some expansion to the program,” explained Tolley.

The unveiling took place at Moose Jaw City Hall and had a great attendance, according to the mayor.

“I was really happy to see such a large turnout honouring the people whose banners have been put up, many of them direct descendants honouring their ancestors,” Tolley said. “It’s just really heartwarming.”

He said the process of making a banner takes quite a bit of preparation. Families who want to honour their loved ones who served can contact the Moose Jaw Heritage Advisory Committee, as it’s looking for additional nominations for next year.

Premier Scott Moe was in attendance at the banner unveiling and said it was a wonderful ceremony.

“Each community across Saskatchewan … honours their veterans in different ways. We were able to witness one of those ways with the hanging of the banners in Moose Jaw,” said Moe.

He credited the Heritage Advisory Committee for its hard work on the project.

Regina has a number of events scheduled to mark Remembrance Day. One of those — “Tommy Goes to War,” a one-person performance showing a glimpse into the life of a young farm boy turned soldier — is to begin Thursday at Government House.

Pre-registration is required, and can be done online.