Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Nov 09/05) - Remembering veterans on the 60th anniversary of D-Day is essential to preserving the memory of sacrifices made, says the president of the Royal Canadian Legion in Yellowknife.

"They are the people who fought for our freedom," Lloyd Lush said.

"We should always remember them, we should never forget them."

Friday's Remembrance Day service begins with a march from the Legion at 9:45 a.m., up Franklin Avenue to 53rd St. and then to Veterans Memorial Drive and the Cenotaph.

Mayor Van Tighem, NWT Commissioner Tony Whitford, Col. Norm Couturier and MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew are scheduled to speak.

After the wreath-laying ceremony at approximately 10:30 a.m., the party will proceed to the front of the department of National Defence headquarters, where a new $48,000 veterans monument will be unveiled.

The monument is a tribute to the participation of the men and women of the Northwest Territories in war and their involvement as peacekeepers, said Legion manager Lorne Power.

Created by Yellowknife carver Eli Nasogaluak, the bronze finished, hand-sculpted winterstone monument will depict two uniformed soldiers, a nurse helping a soldier and the archangel Michael.

"It's a monument to those who have already served and those who are currently serving," said Power.

The Yellowknife branch contributed $37,000 to the monument, the Fort Smith legion contributed $8,000 and $3,000 came from the territorial government.

After the monument is unveiled, an indoor wreath-laying service will be held at St. Pat's high school, followed by an indoor remembrance service at the Legion.