Hawkesbury

Location:  United Counties of Prescott and Russell   N 45 36.387  W 74 36.710
In front of the Legion, corner of Emerald Street and Nelson Street East.
 

This unique memorial is more of a statement for peace and for the future, than one of remembrance.  The memorial sits in front of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 472 and features a large black stone topped with a child holding the earth in place.  The engraving on the front is one of peace for the future, along with some beautiful engravings of  military equipment.  The words are repeated in French, as Hawkesbury is known as the third most bilingual town in Ontario.
The memorial features no mention of previous wars or those who served in those conflicts, however it does mention in great detail the many individuals and companies who donated funds to make this memorial possible, and the names of the executives of the Legion.  The memorial was erected in 1999 as a millenium project.  Although the idea of a memorial for peace is appealing, it is a shame that the names of those who died in the fight for that peace are not carved in the same stone as those who donated their dollars.  While their donations are appreciated and needed for such memorials, having their names carved in stone for eternity is an insult to those who made the supreme sacrifice or those who returned broken and forever scarred. 
Lest We Forget.
A 1970's pattern military 1/4 ton (Jeep) is also on display beside the Legion. 

**It has come to my attention that the names of those lost from this town are indeed remembered on a very nice cenotaph located in front of the O.P.P. station.



Marker text:
Front:
WE HAVE FOUGHT TO GIVE OUR CHILDREN
SOLIDS GROUNDS TO BUILD THEIR FUTURE,
AS WE APPROACH THE NEW MILLENNIUM.
IT IS NOW THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO CHOOSE
THEIR DESTINY TO ENSURE THAT OUR PRECIOUS
EARTH WILL KEEP ON TURNING FOREVER.