‘It brings me to tears’: Local veterans honoured by new Remembrance Crosswalk in Tillsonburg

Tillsonburg's new Remembrance Crosswalk. (Lauren Kuivenhoven/CTV News London)

The Town of Tillsonburg has installed a Remembrance Crosswalk, just in time for Remembrance Day.

Located on Broadway Street in front of the Cenotaph and the Tillsonburg Town Centre, the crosswalk was completed Friday, after being approved for installation by the town on Oct. 14.

“Everyone, especially the veterans and the other members of the legion that are not veterans, are delighted to see something like that in the Town of Tillsonburg showing respect,” said Legion Branch 153 President Tom Brown.

Brown said he and other members of the legion had asked town council to install the crosswalk before this year’s Remembrance Day, and the request was well received.

In a statement emailed to CTV News, Mayor Deb Gilvesy said the installation is a meaningful way to honour those who have served and continue to serve our country.

“The Town is pleased to have completed the request for the installation by our local Legion Branch 153. This crosswalk, leading to the Cenotaph, serves as a daily reminder of the sacrifices made by our veterans and the deep respect and gratitude we hold for them.”

Brown says he was delighted to walk across the crosswalk for the first time on Friday. As a veteran, he served in Canada’s military for 30 years and “wouldn’t regret a day.”

The legion will be holding an official ribbon-cutting ceremony for the crosswalk on Monday at 11 a.m. with local veterans.

Brown already has plans to use the crosswalk on his way to the bank Saturday.

“I will walk across that crosswalk again and it brings me to tears really.”