Veterans banners coming to Waterford

Waterford & District Veterans Banner Association Committee members and guests, from left, include James Christison, Rick Huffman, Kerry Bockenholt, Norfolk County Ward 7 Councillor Kim Huffman and MPP Bobbi Ann Brady. 

Brenda Moser

Advocate Contributor

It was a windy, bitter cold day when a small crowd of about 40-50 people gathered March 17 at the Old Train Station, Alice Street, Waterford.

They were there to honour the fallen and to learn more of a special Remembrance banner program - the Waterford & District Veterans Banner Program. The very fact that we were honoring fallen soldiers seemed to take the ‘chill’ away when all in attendance realized the Veterans we were there to honour suffered and endured worse conditions.

“It is great to see that so many people braved the elements to come out when it’s so cold to support this cause,” said Rick Huffman, head of the Veterans Banner committee.

The purpose of the grass roots, community driven program is to honour Veterans who are now deceased and either grew up in the community, lived here or had a ‘significant connection’ to the geographical areas of Waterford or the former Township of Townsend.

“The County has been very supportive of the program. It’s so great to have so many groups supporting this program with a common goal of honouring our veterans,” said Huffman.

The sponsorship of a banner is $325, which will cover not only the cost of the banner itself but also the expense of poles for erecting them. If they wish, sponsors can purchase a copy of their flag for an extra $150.

The project has been two months in the making and will officially launch at the end of April.

“We’ve had a great response from people already requesting a banner.”

While Huffman is very happy with the response, he added, “I would be very happy if we did need more poles (for banners).”

There are 10 street poles this year with an opportunity for 20 veterans to be honoured.

Each banner will include a photo of the Veteran, the year of their birth, year of their death, and their rank. The poles will be located on the Waterford Main Street bridge, the Alice and Main Parkette and two poles east of the train station.

“We’re away from the street (with flags hanging over the sidewalk) and we are not infringing on any street traffic.”

The first flag of this year is of Private Lenore Brown Winfield Kubik (1922-1991), WWII, CWAC Postal Corps.

Similar banner programs have already started in Tillsonburg, Hagersville and Port Rowan, with Port Rowan having 66 banners this year. In only its third year, the response from the small community has been overwhelming.

To take part in this project you can submit an application form along with a photo of the Veteran in uniform and a cheque in the amount of $325 to the Waterford Museum, P.O. Box 457, Waterford, ON, N0E 1Y0. Applications are available at the Post Office, Waterford Heritage Agricultural Museum on Nichol St. and the RCL Brance 123, also on Nichol Street. The deadline to submit for this year is June 30th.

The banners are double-sided and made of weather resistant vinyl ensuring they will be used for multiple years. Installation will begin in the fall with the Waterford & District Veteran’s Banner Association coordinating the placement. Banners will remain on display for Remembrance Day.

We Will Remember Them.

If you have any questions or would like more info you can email Huffman at waterfordmemorialbanners@gmail.com. Huffman added, “This is a grass-roots, community driven project with one goal in mind and that is to honour our Veterans”.

Thanks go to the Waterford Chamber of Commerce, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 123 in Waterford, Norfolk Remembers Committee, and the Waterford Heritage and Agricultural Museum for their sponsorship and involvement.