For current Remembrance Day information, please visit Stirling Remembrance Day Ceremony 2023

In February of 2021 the Village of Stirling Council submitted the application to obtain a grant through Veterans Affairs Canada to support the installation of a cenotaph in our community. The monument would be installed on the West side of the municipal office to recognize the valiant men and women from Stirling who served in armed conflicts of the past.

In order to make sure no one was missed, residents were asked to look at the profiles in an extract of Stirling’s history book and inform the Village of any spelling mistakes or other errors. For anyone who served in World War I and World War II, the Korean War, Persian Gulf or any of Canada’s Peacekeeping efforts, we would also like to find out more for future additions to the monument. If you are a veteran currently living in Stirling, we’d love to hear more about your story and have you be a part of our Remembrance Day Ceremony this year.

On June 3, 2021, the Village of Stirling was proud to announce the creation of a cenotaph, confirmed to be located in the green space on the West side of the Administration building.  Mayor Trevor Lewington spearheaded the project, making application to the Commemorative Partnership Program at Veterans Affairs Canada to obtain grant funding for the project.  The grant application was successful, and the Village was awarded the highest amount, totalling $25,000.00 for the project. Council approved the Capital project with the 2021 Budget approvals and the complete project is costed at $52,000.00.  This will provide a welcome addition to the completion of the 3^rd Street revitalization project and provide for recognition to those Veterans from Stirling who served in the First and Second World Wars.   

Mayor Lewington is quoted as saying “Council felt it was important for us as a Community to create a space which will allow us to honor those from our Community who chose to defend our freedoms.  Council feels Remembrance isn’t just an event one time a year and the Cenotaph is a way for us to honor those Community members forever.”

Mayor Lewington further added “With everything our community has been through from COVID and Public Health Restrictions, Council is looking forward to being able to hold annual Remembrance Day Ceremonies and hopefully bring the community together on this important day.”

The Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, also commented on the project: “The Commemorative Partnership Program helps communities across Canada create lasting tributes to their local heroes, and the Village of Stirling has done just that. Stirling has a proud history of military service, and I know this monument will ensure folks in the Village will remember those who’ve worn the uniform for generations to come.”

On June 29, 2021, the Village of Stirling was proud to announce receiving $15,000.00 in funding from the Legion Poppy Fund.  The Village, through Glenn Miller, made application to the Legion Poppy Fund seeking support in their creation of the cenotaph space to support efforts of remembrance within the Village and to honor those Veterans from the Village how have served.

Mayor Lewington is quoted as saying “The Village of Stirling has been fortunate to be able to work with Glenn Miller on our Cenotaph project and this partnership has led to this funding opportunity and a wealth of information we’ve been able to incorporate into the project.”  Lewington further added “We are very excited to receive this funding from the Legion Poppy Fund and it will be an integral source of funding as we continue on with the Cenotaph project.”

Through donations to the Legion Poppy Fund, the Legion provides financial assistance and support to Veterans, including Canadian Armed Forces and RCMP, and their families who are in need. Poppy Funds may be used for several ways to support their needs. One aspect of the poppy fund allows for the promotion and administering of Remembrance activities to ensure Canadians never forget the sacrifices of Canada’s Veterans.

The Lethbridge Legion values the support by the donations received each year not only from the City of Lethbridge, but also the surrounding communities of Coaldale, Magrath, Raymond, and Stirling which also make up part of the branch jurisdiction.

“The General Stewart branch is pleased to make a donation of $15 000 from the Poppy fund towards the Stirling project.” says Tom McElhinney Chairman of the Poppy Committee. “It will serve as a proud focal point within the community to hold future Remembrance activities.”

We congratulate the Village as it prepares to engage with the community in Stirling and abroad researching those who served.  As this project yields more information of the military contributions made, the community will have a great resource to fully appreciate the service sacrifice and commitment of its citizens.”

November 11, 2021 Cenotaph Dedication and Remembrance Day Ceremony

You can see the CTV News story here: https://calgary.ctvnews.ca/down-to-the-wire-southern-alberta-community-recognizes-remembrance-day-at-new-cenotaph-1.5662857

You can view the Bridge City News story here: https://bridgecitynews.ca/new-cenotaph-unveiled-in-village-of-stirling/

December 30, 2021

Stirling is now listed in the National Memorials database.