Memorial marks 100-tree milestone
Langley Youth for the Fallen (LYF): A Walk to Remember have reached an important milestone: sponsorship of 100 of the 158 trees being planted at Langley Township’s Derek Doubleday Arboretum needed to commemorate the 158 Canadians who were killed in Afghanistan.
“We are very happy that so many people have shared in our dream to commemorate the Canadian soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan,” says 14-year-old Michael Pratt, a grade nine student at Brookswood Secondary and one of the co-founders of LYF: A Walk to Remember.
“BC Hydro have been big supporters as they provided funds to purchase 40 trees. We have received sponsorships from across the country and we are very excited that many sponsorships have come from young people such as elementary schools, high schools, youth groups and recent graduates who all have put on fundraisers to raise money to sponsor trees,” says Pratt.
“The construction of the Walk to Remember is progressing nicely,” says Elizabeth Pratt, a UBC student, recent graduate of Brookswood Secondary and LYF co-founder. “Last Remembrance Day, we held a planting ceremony for 74 trees and another 30 trees will be planted in mid-April. The federal government has provided a grant for up to $50,000 to pay for the central cenotaph and concrete for the base of the cenotaph will be poured very soon. We hope that the cenotaph will be unveiled in June.”
“People are already enjoying the Walk to Remember with the original 74 trees lining the trails that have been constructed. We are really excited and looking forward to seeing the next 30 trees planted,” says Elizabeth.
LYF: A Walk to Remember is looking for sponsorships for the remaining 58 trees and would like to hear from interested businesses, service groups, elementary, middle and high schools, scout and guide groups, cadets, and any other youth group who would like to be part of this very worthwhile project. The cost of sponsoring a tree in honour of a Canadian who gave their life for our freedoms is $300. Please email us at LangleyYouthForTheFallen@gmail.com or visit our Facebook page Langley Youth for the Fallen: A Walk to Remember or on YouTube at Langley Youth for the Fallen: Presentation.