Memorial Crosses Parade and Ceremony taking place tomorrow

On Saturday, Airdrie will commemorate men and women, who have sacrificed their lives for our freedom.

At 10 a.m., the Annual Memorial Crosses Parade will take place which will lead to the annual ceremony on Veterans Boulevard.

Allan Hunter, a National Service Officer for The Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada (ANAVETS) who is coordinating the Annual Memorial Crosses Parade and Ceremony explained how much this ceremony has grown over the years.

"We had 22 crosses that we would put in the field of honour on Veterans Boulevard when we first started and now it's grown to about 60."

Family members of the fallen will be in attendance to place the crosses of those who have fought for our country.

This year, they will be honouring two men:

• Michael Downey - Master Warrant Officer for 35 years- sadly passed away in 2021.
• Todd Gillman - A member of Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry - tragically lost his life this year on April 15 in a motorcycle accident.

Hunter stated Calgary Police Service members will also be attending to honour Andrew Harnett who was killed on duty on New Year's Eve 2020.

"This is just to remind Airdrieonians and anybody coming through Airdrie that this is a price of freedom, people put their lives on the line."

The parade will take place first. For those who want to be involved in the parade, it is asked that you show up around 10 a.m. at the Town and Country Centre.

"When the parade starts we get marshalled to Edmonton trail, down Veterans Boulevard to East Lake, East Lake to Yankee Valley Boulevard, Yankee Valley Boulevard to Eighth Street, then we take Eighth Street to Veterans Boulevard."

From there, everybody will park in the nearest parking lot and then make their way to where the crosses will be placed."

"I encourage people if you do get a chance to walk over and look at the crisis, individual crisis, look at the dates of some of these and look at the ages of some of these men and women that have given their lives for our country."

Hunter mentioned multiple members of our local government will be in attendance, including Councillors, MLA's and the Mayor.

"It's important to honour those who have fought for our freedom."

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