by Tyler Kula for the Sarnia Observer
(2016) Sarnia-Lambton unveiled a memorial Sunday to its soldiers who fought in Afghanistan, including two who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Wind gusted and rain fell as pipers played in Veteran’s Park, where more than 200 people had gathered for the unveiling and dedication of the latest monument to the community’s soldiers, and those from across Canada.
A decommissioned LAV (light armoured vehicle) III was recently anchored in the park, nearby the city’s cenotaph where nearly 300 from Sarnia-Lambton are remembered for fighting and dying overseas.
The families of Cpl. Brent Poland and Pte. William Cushley – killed in combat in Afghanistan were on hand Sunday to pin poppies on shrouds hanging below a trio of plaques on the new LAV III monument.
The plaques are dedicated to the Canadian military, the 1st Hussars Regiment, and to Poland – from Camlachie – and Cushley – from Port Lambton.
“This is a wonderful memorial to bravery, to two good men from our community who gave the ultimate sacrifice,” said Bev MacDougall, Lambton County’s warden, addressing the crowd.
“Let us keep all of our armed forces in our hearts every day. Many did come home, but not always.”
Many of the attendees pinned their own poppies to shrouds hanging from the memorial, as the names of all 159 Canadian soldiers killed in the conflict were read aloud.
Forty-thousand Canadian Forces personnel fought in the war that stretched from 2001 to 2014.
Members of the 4th battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment stood by, along with the 1st Hussars, 31st brigade and the Royal Highland Fusiliers, including Lt-Col. Mark Poland – Brent Poland’s brother.
“I think it’s a really touching display, frankly,” said the Fusiliers commander, who lives in Kitchener-Waterloo, where the reserve regiment is based.
“This is an important symbol for us, and it’s really an important reminder to my family of that support that exists in this community.”
Cushley’s father, Errol, agreed.
“I was surprised how many people came out,” he said. “You’d think people would forget, but they don’t.”
Six silver-cross families, including Cushley’s parents and Poland’s were in attendance Sunday.
Planning for the estimated $65,000 project began last year after the federal government offered decommissioned LAV III hulls to communities wishing to create Afghan war memorials.
The 1st Hussars Association, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 62 and the City of Sarnia partnered to make it happen.
The vehicle is an appropriate symbol for what Canada contributed in the War in Afghanistan, said Lt-Col. Bernie Schied, commanding officer of the First Hussars – noting the LAV III was the “workhorse” of the Canadian Forces’ effort in Kandahar Province.
“It’s a fitting monument … to recognize the hard work, dedication and sacrifice of Canadian Forces men and women,” he said.