One of the blog readers requested the text of Mayor Garlick's Remembrance Day Address. He agreed to provide the requested Address and it is presented below with thanks.
Remembrance Day Address
Hello and welcome.
On behalf the Coldstream Council and the
District of Coldstream, I would like to thank you for taking the time to come
out to this ceremony to remember veterans
and members of our military forces serving today around the world. I also
believe this is a day to reflect on how to avoid such conflicts in the future
and to consider the hardship and sorrow war brings to many innocent civilians.
The Vernon Army Camp and
this Cenotaph Park are reminders of a long, important history that Coldstream
and the North Okanagan played in the First and Second World Wars. We have also
had Coldstream residents who were in the Crimean and Boer Wars.
The Coldstream Battle
School was an extension of the Vernon Army Camp operations during the Second
World War. It was located on the Coldstream Ranch. It is said that 20,000
soldiers were trained in the Battle School in preparation for the invasions of
Europe. They trained with live ammunition in the area around Deep Lake and Kal
Park. I have had several pictures of soldiers training at this battle school
made up to display today at the fire hall.
Originally, this
cenotaph was at the intersection of Aberdeen Road and Kalamalka Road. It was
moved to the front of the old municipal hall that was connected to the old fire
hall here. This gathering place was once the site of a home belonging to a
long-time resident, Jackie Nicholson. The property was bought from Mr.
Nicholson to provide a library to the community. The library was later moved into
the old fire hall next door and the cenotaph found a permanent home here. The
District has recently added to this site with the purchase of the WI Hall next
door which I hope to include in future Remembrance Day Ceremonies with displays
of photos and artifacts from our community.
In closing I would like
to thank Yvonne Leduc of the WI for organizing this ceremony, Al Saliga our
trumpet player, the choir, and the Coldstream public works employees.
Thank you all once more
for coming out today.
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1 comment:
Thanks to Mayor Garlick for his words--a very interesting slice of Coldstream history. Thanks also to you Gyula, for following through on my request.
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