Smiths Falls, Ont. installs veterans’ crosswalk in time for Remembrance Day

A new veterans’ crosswalk was painted in the town of Smiths Falls just in time for Remembrance Day. CTV’s Dylan Dyson reports.

The town of Smiths Falls is committing to honouring the service of its local armed forces members year-round.

The town installed its own veterans’ crosswalk last week, located at the intersection of Beckwith Street and Main Street.

The crosswalk is one of two set to go in, with the other set to be painted this coming spring.

The design is matching at both ends and features a red maple leaf with the phrase “In honour of those who served and sacrificed” in both English and French.

“It says [that], not just ‘lest we forget’,” explains Ken Manwell of the Smiths Falls Royal Canadian Legion Branch 95, who helped lead the initiative to install the crosswalk.

“Some of the newer members of the military felt a little bit left out because they’re thinking ‘lest we forget’ is the past. In honor of their service and their sacrifice, now it’s everybody.”

“I think it’s great,” remarked Glenn MacNeil, a flight engineer veteran, taking in the new crosswalk.

“There’s a lot of activity out there that the average civilian isn’t aware of. So, if you put it down on the sidewalk like that, and if someone asks you, what’s that all about? You can expand on their knowledge. So, it’s good.”

MacNeil made the trip from Carleton Place to Smiths Falls this Remembrance Day to take in the local ceremony, which was well attended despite cold and blustery weather.

“Even with all this cold weather, to see the folks of this town come out every year, it’s the same. The people here come out to Remembrance Day and fill the whole park,” said Branch 95 Legion president Bruce Irvine. “It’s wonderful. We really appreciate that.”

Ahead of this year’s ceremony, the town also hung banners of local military heroes along Beckwith Street.

“As a small community, we know that many of our citizens from decades past stepped up when the call came out and sacrificed their lives,” said Smiths Falls Mayor Shawn Pankow, on the town’s dedication to showing remembrance.

According to the Smiths Falls legion, 76 banners have been adorned on Beckwith Street, one of them featuring Manwell’s father.

“My dad’s a World War Two vet and he passed away,” Manwell tells CTV News. “Every time I drive by it, it’s almost like saying hello, and, you know, nice to see you.”

Irvine says that some of the biggest commitments to patriotism can come from small communities like Smiths Falls.

“The small towns here in Canada are the ones who really supported Canada in their time of need,” he says.

“And they’re still doing it now. People are joining the Navy, Army, Air Force, and we need them.”