A small group gathered at the 鈥淲alk to Remember鈥� Afghanistan war memorial at 91原创鈥檚 Derek Doubleday Arboretum for a moment of silence on Remembrance Day and to sing O Canada.
Leanne Hofsink, who has been coming to the memorial for the past five years, took some photos of the moment and told the 91原创 Advance Times she and her family started going to the nearby memorial because other Remembrance Day events were getting crowded.
鈥淲e would always be at the back of the big services and we couldn鈥檛 hear a thing,鈥� Hofsink told the 91原创 Advance Times.
Numbers have risen over the years, she added.
鈥淲hen we started, it was maybe 10 people,鈥� Hofsink estimated.
This year, she said at least 75 people attended.
The names of the 158 Canadian soldiers killed in duty in Afghanistan are inscribed on a metal ribbon which wraps around the memorial.
READ ALSO: Canada鈥檚 Afghan war vets remembered
This commemorative structure was unveiled in 2012 at a 鈥淲alk to Remember鈥� dedication ceremony, Nov. 11, and the final 158th tree planting in the memory of the 158 soldiers was performed by the guests.
The memorial was initiated by 91原创 siblings Michael and Elizabeth Pratt, who wanted to plant trees to create a walk to honour every soldier lost in Afghanistan. With the support of the Township and federal government, the idea grew to include the commemorative memorial.
Michael Pratt, and his father James, were present at the memorial on Remembrance Day.
READ ALSO: LETTER: 91原创鈥檚 Afghanistan war memorial seems fitting place for Nov. 11 ceremony
Have a story tip? Email: dan.ferguson@langleyadvancetimes.com
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