‘A matter of reverence and legacy’: official opening of Remembrance site

The Field of Crosses ceremony at Kelowna’s City Park marked the first in-person ceremony for Remembrance Day in over two years.

Veterans, both serving and former, were touched by the display.

“It’s truly a remarkable exhibit,” said former Cpt. Michael Loewen, who served in Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry.

“It’s a very significant way of bringing the realization of the personal sacrifices that were made to the forefront of our consciousness,” he told Kelowna10. “To be able to see such a tangible representation of local residents who gave up their lives in the service of their country.”

Cpt. Loewen has emceed Remembrance Day service in Kelowna for the last 15 years.

“It’s wonderful to see veterans still coming out,” he said. “It’s still wonderful to see them still being able to parade. We have several Korean [War] veterans actively involved, and we have Afghanistan veterans here in the community. It’s wonderful to see that the community still comes out after all these years and pay tribute to them and remember.”

Lieutenant Kevin Mead, Commanding Officer with the British Columbia Dragoons in Kelowna and Vernon, said the crosses are an important reminder of those who sacrificed their lives.

“It’s a matter of reverence and legacy at the end of the day,” Mead said. “To try to achieve what we can on behalf of the federal government at the end of day and we all do so with pride and that comes with sacrifice as well.”

Mead, who served in Bosnia and Macedonia, along with tours in Afghanistan back in 2006-2007, said he saw many casualties.

“This is absolutely an opportunity to reflect on that,” he said. “Mourn and grieve to a degree, while also respecting them for what they’ve done.”

The Field of Crosses will be displayed in City Park through Nov. 11.