September 2014
It is an honour as Mayor of the City of Sarnia to write the foreword for The City of Sarnia War Remembrance Project.
A poignant book that contains the life stories of those Sarnians and Lambton County residents who served their country from the Boer War to Afghanistan and who paid the ultimate sacrifice. The City of Sarnia War Remembrance Project gives us grateful citizens the opportunity to look back and to remember those who volunteered to serve their country and who rest today forever in eternal peace. This project is a labour of love which ensures that the memory of those who died protecting our liberty and freedom will live on.
For generations, Sarnians have gathered every Remembrance Day in Veterans Park to mourn and to honour our fallen. Each year as we stand at the cenotaph, who of us has not wondered about the personal stories behind the 264 names inscribed on it? Who were these men? What did they do in civilian life? What were their hopes and dreams? Now we know through The City of Sarnia War Remembrance Project that they were ordinary men who had the courage to serve their country. They were men from all walks of life and backgrounds who left family and friends and sadly never returned. We know their passing left deep grief and forever changed the lives of their loved ones. We know also their sacrifice left Canada a diminished nation without their youth, intelligence and talents.
In Sarnia’s Centennial Year, as we remember and honour our past, The City of Sarnia War Remembrance Project will ensure in the words from Ecclesiasticus 44:14: “Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name liveth for evermore.” We will remember them.
Mayor Mike Bradley
The City of Sarnia and Mayor Mike Bradley provided incredible support and generosity for The City of Sarnia War Remembrance Project. They provided funds necessary to print copies of this Project so that they could be donated to the following:
Sarnia City Hall Records; Sarnia Public Library; Lambton County Archives; Lambton Heritage Museum; The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 62; The Sarnia Royal Canadian Naval Association; Sarnia #403 Airmen’s Club; The Sarnia Armoury-1st Hussars; Central Baptist Church; Central United Church; Our Lady of Mercy/St.Joseph’s Catholic Parish; St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church; All Saints Anglican Church (St.George’s /St. John’s); St. Clair United Church; St. Paul’s United Church; The Sarnia Observer; Sarnia This Week; The Sarnia Journal; Sarnia Radio; TV COGECO; and all Sarnia and Lambton County High Schools including Alexander MacKenzie, Lambton Central Collegiate, Northern Collegiate, North Lambton Secondary, Sarnia Collegiate, St. Clair High School and St. Patrick’s Catholic High School.
For the author and for all those who assisted him,
The City of Sarnia War Remembrance Project
was a completely volunteer, non-profit undertaking.
The following have contributed greatly to ensure that
The City of Sarnia War Remembrance Project
would be completed and would be made available to others.
The author is very appreciative of their kindheartedness and generosity.
The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 62 Sarnia,
made a financial contribution to assist in covering a portion of the cost
of printing copies of this project so that copies could be donated.
Randy Evans and Randy Fisher (in memory of Private Melvin Fisher),
also made a financial contribution to assist in covering a portion of the cost
of printing copies of this project so that copies could be donated.
Haines Frontier Printing Limited (owner Bill Chong),
generously donated all labour costs, and a portion of production and
material costs associated with the printing of this book.
The Book Keeper (owner Susan Chamberlain),
in consultation with the project author, is generously donating
a portion of the store’s profits from the sale of this project to the charity, Noelle’s Gift.
Noelle’s Gift Charity provides funds for Sarnia and Lambton County students in need.