REGINA — The Royal United Services Institute of Regina (RUSI) has unveiled two new memorial pedestals at the cenotaph in Victoria Park on Thursday.
The two pedestals honour Canada’s World War II engagement in the Normandy Campaign and in the Battle of the Scheldt.
“The purpose of the pedestals is to ensure that we never forget the sacrifice and service of our veterans who have fought in the service of Canada. Many of whom gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said RUSI president Brad Hrycyna.
Hrycyna noted that few World War II veterans remain alive, so these pedestals help ensure the teaching of history and the importance of what veterans did.
Each pedestal is made of granite and will last for several hundred years, said Hrycyna.
He also mentioned they cost roughly $2,700 to make and likely won’t be made again due to a lack of funding.
“Our major funders were Veterans Affairs Canada and the Saskatchewan Veterans Club Support Program. And both have said that they've contributed enough to the pedestals.”
While these organizations have stopped committing to pedestals, Hrycyna said they’ve played a big role in other RUSI projects, too.
With the addition of these two pedestals, they mark the 33rd and 34th ones at the cenotaph.
Hrycyna said two more pedestals will be revealed on Aug. 14, which will be dedicated to the liberation of the Netherlands, and the Royal Canadian Navy in Korea.
