Nova Scotia/Nunavut Command of The Royal Canadian Legion www.ns.legion.ca 213 For over ten years Arras Branch 59 of the Royal Canadian Legion in Antigonish had hoped to have the local WW1 cenotaph moved (see cover photo). The location behind the Post Office in Chisholm Park had become too small to accommodate the increasing crowds that were attending the remembrance services. This area in town was also being used by many other groups throughout the year and the cenotaph was being encroached upon. Several years ago another major factor that intensified the need to find a more suitable home for the monument occurred. On the East end of Main St. the WW2 arch and memorial had to be taken down for safety reasons. The World War 2 plaques were therefore put into storage. Not being displayed meant that for several years Antigonish was not commemorating the soldiers from the area that had given their lives in that war. A plan was put in place to find a new location to honour vets of both wars, and to have the WWI cenotaph moved there. A committee of volunteers considered various locations and after much research, settled on Columbus Field. Not only would it be large enough to accommodate a large cenotaph and the crowds of Remembrance Day, but it would also be very visible and accessible to all. It took several meetings for the committee to choose the new design that had to then be sketched and presented to all parties (The Town of Antigonish, The County of Antigonish and the Columbus Club.) Once approved, the Legion had to set up working agreements, and set out the process for contracting out the work for the move and reconstruction of the cenotaph. A detailed plan of the move and reconstruction was made and contractors were hired to build the new Cenotaph foundation in Columbus Field. The new foundation would allow the Cenotaph to be much higher and more visible from Main Street. continued ... Heritage is that which society inherits from previous generations and deems worthy of taking special measures to preserve for future generations. Shown is the WWII Arch. ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION ARRAS BRANCH 59 MONUMENT MOVE
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