It was an emotional unveiling - especially for one Saskatchewan family in attendance who recently lost a loved one while he served in Afghanistan. On Tuesday the Portraits of Honor National Tour made a Yorkton stop. A tribute to veterans and to soldiers who have fallen, the touching memorial is travelling across Canada in an effort to raise both awareness and funds.
The Portraits of Honor Tour is centred around a 10 foot by 40 foot oil painted mural depicting the hand painted portraits of the 156 Canadian soldiers, sailors and aircrew who have lost their lives while serving in Afghanistan.
Local Kinsmen, Kinettes and Kin Canada have partnered with Canadian artist Dave Sopha to tour the piece and make it available to as many people as possible. On Tuesday it was Yorkton and area's turn.
When the tour is complete the Kinsmen hope to raise $1.5 million through donations and sales of merchandise to support the Military Families Fund to assist the families of the fallen and also the thousands of military personnel who return home with physical or emotional injuries.
Sopha, who spent more than 8,000 hours on the work (so far) was in attendance at the Yorkton event. The artist says the piece will not be complete until the mission ends.
"Three years ago when I decided to do this piece it was when we had lost 100 of our soldiers, sailors and air crew members. I first wanted to honor the brave young men and women depicted in the painting. I also wanted to travel across the country so Canadians could share in the grief of loosing these young men and women," spoke Sopha.
A partnership with Kin Canada ensued and Sopha's dream was born and the hope is funds can be raised to help the people who sacrificed so much.
"A lot of people have been saying these young people should be coming home, that we're not doing any good over there (in Afghanistan), that we're just putting them in harm's way. I must say that was on my mind as well but when I was in my studio one day, shortly before departing on this tour and Afghan interpreter came in to see me."
The first question he had for the interpreter was "Is this worth it? Did these young men and women die in vain?"
To which the interpreter replied, "The Canadian people are a different breed. They go over there and even though our kids are throwing rocks at them, they talk to our children. They give them candies, they give them trinkets... They shake hands with our elders...
"Because of the Canadians we have roads, we have schools and now we have 30,000 young girls going to school who were never allowed to go to school before.
"A lot of people have come into Afghanistan to try to make a difference before, but they leave. Then we're in turmoil and things go back to the way they were."
It's Canadians the man says, who have stayed and are helping to rebuild lives.
"They're teaching our military, our police - something you take for granted everyday but policing is so important. They're teaching our government and without doing all this, it would be worthless... Because they're staying and keeping things going, please don't think these young men and women died in vain..."
Everyday, says Sopha, Canadians should be thanking their veterans for what they have "and this is just a small part for the one's that we have lost."
That message was further brought home when the wife of fallen soldier Sgt. Prescott Shipway - eyes filled with tears and small children by her side - officially unveiled the painting and took the mike.
"It is a truly incredible thing that Dave Sopha has done - one man who has dedicated the last three years, 16 hours a day, seven days a week painting this amazing portrait.
"To have people show so much love and support means so much. Since the day Scott died the outpouring of support from so many people, even strangers all over the country, has been overwhelming. We appreciate it more than I can ever say. The 156 men and women were not just soldiers. They were loved ones. They had families, many had children of their own, like Scott.
"Our children, like so many others have been left to try to understand what happened to their dad and why. Each new accomplishment, each new milestone we reach in their young lives reminds them that he is not here to see it or to celebrate with them. To see your child go through this in addition to your own grief is heartbreaking.
"Scott was very proud of being a soldier and this beautiful mural should remind us all of what has been sacrificed so that others can have a better life. I thank Dave Sopha so very much for his hard work and Kin Canada for making this tour happen... Please never forget these people, their courage, their bravery, their dedication and all that they have sacrificed to make a difference."
Yorkton's MP Garry Breitkreuz, MLA Greg Ottenbreit, Deputy Mayor Larry Pearen, and local veteran Peter Wyatt also paid tribute Tuesday as well as one local soldier, who has served in Afghanistan.
Captain Patrick Rushowick spent time in Haiti as well as Afghanistan and knows firsthand the situation.
"Portraits of Honor holds a special significance for me. I first found out about it during the summer of 2009."
Filling with emotion Rushowick says it was his duty to act as a liason between the family of a fellow fallen soldier and the Canadian government during their time of grief.
"My time was worthwhile and at the same time a very heart wrenching experience," he painfully recalls.
The family since asked Rushowick to pass along their words to Sopha and they were, "Thank you for your support. Because of you, memories of Martin, Scott and the rest of our fallen will never fade. Thank you for supporting out troops... I wish I could put into words what it means to us. Thank you."
Learn more about the Portraits of Honour National Tour and/or how you might lend your support by visiting: www.portraitsofhonour.ca.
