Dorothy Westerman
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (June 22/05) - Their ranks are dwindling, but the sacrifice made by war veterans will be remembered.

With 2005 designated Year of the Veteran, the Canadian Forces and the Royal Canadian Legion in Yellowknife plan to honour veterans' contributions on July 2.

Lloyd Lush, president of the Royal Canadian Legion in Yellowknife, said war veterans deserve special recognition.

"They're the ones who fought for our freedom.

"This is the Year of the Veteran, but we should recognize them every year," Lush said.

Joanna Labonte, public affairs officer for Canadian Forces Northern Area, said all members across Canada are now wearing a special pin on their uniforms to recognize veterans. "We will join our veterans in a parade to support them and think about what they've done for us in the wars they've served in," she said.

Elizabeth Kinney, chairperson of the Year of the Veteran organizing committee, said the veterans she contacted for the event all are looking forward to the visit to Yellowknife for the celebrations.

"They seem to be excited about it and want to know about it," Kinney said.

Lorne Power, branch manager of the Royal Canadian Legion, said Yellowknife is holding the ceremony on behalf of all NWT war veterans.

Power said a parade will begin at the Legion at 2 p.m. and move to the cenotaph.

From 3 - 5 p.m. the Legion will host an open house and will have war artifacts on display.

"Veterans will be here as well to relate their stories," Power said.

Beginning at 7 p.m., a special presentation and banquet will be held for the veterans. Each will be presented with a Year of the Veteran medallion, an engraved placemat and crests.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem, Premier Joe Handley and MP Ethel Blondin-Andrew will be among those honouring the veterans. Also during the day, there will be a special presentation by the NWT Pipe Band and also by a military marching band from Vancouver.

All NWT Legion branches were contacted. Among the veterans expected are three from Fort Smith, Archie Bevington, Edward Sproule and Edward Powder.

There will be 10 Yellowknife veterans also attending the event, he said.

"We've only got 21 or 22 veterans remaining in the NWT. We've lost four in the last few months alone," Power said.

In November, Power said the memorial will include all veterans.

Lush also said Yellowknife has the approval of all the branches to put together a new memorial cenotaph for the veterans, possibly at the DND site.

"It might be on July 2 or perhaps in August," he said of the five-sided memorial which represents all the Legion branches in the territories.

Furthermore, he said they have asked the city to rename 49 Ave. to Veterans Memorial Drive.

"We're hoping the city will approve that and make the announcement on July 2, as well.

"We're the only jurisdiction in Canada that does not have something named for our veterans."