On behalf of the Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, Mark Warawa, Member of Parliament for Langley, announced the government of Canada’s support for Langley Youth for the Fallen, a tree memorial honouring Afghanistan Veterans and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Township of Langley is receiving a maximum of $50,000 through the Community War Memorial Program.
“It is our sacred duty to remember and honour our veterans and the brave men and women in uniform who serve Canada so selflessly,” said Minister Blaney.
“The memorials we build today will forever reflect our nation’s gratitude to the generations of Canadians who allow us to live in peace and freedom.”
“I commend the Township of Langley for providing a place in our community to honour our local heroes,” said MP Mark Warawa.
“By supporting the construction of new memorials, our government is working to ensure the sacrifices of our veterans will not be forgotten, including Langley’s own 21-year-old Private Garrett Chidley, who was killed in 2009.”
The project is the brainchild of Langley siblings Elizabeth and Michael Pratt, who wanted a place to commemorate the 157 Canadians who have fallen in Afghanistan.
Together with the Township, they have created “A Walk to Remember”, and are planting a tree for every Canadian that has fallen during our involvement in Afghanistan.
The Township of Langley has set aside land in the Derek Doubleday Arboretum and landscape architects have designed the park. Several trees were dedicated at a special ceremony in November.
“It’s wonderful to be able to be a part of this project which captures a very important moment in time of Canadian military history,” says Elizabeth Pratt.
“The Langley Youth for the Fallen memorial project honours those servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and the country of Afghanistan. We honour these soldiers in their patriotism, their professionalism and even unto death.”
For more information on Veterans Affairs Canada’s programs and services, please visit veterans.gc.ca