Soldiers from the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre, Meaford, at the Tara ceremony.
Meaford is looking into installing a crosswalk honouring veterans.
Council approved a motion from Coun. Tony Bell requesting staff bring back a report on installing the crosswalk during a meeting on Monday.
Bell’s motion says Meaford has a rich military history with the 4th Canadian Division Training Centre located in the municipality and a strong military personnel presence, both past and present for Remembrance Day.
“It’s the amalgamation’s 25th year, but for the legion here out of the Town of Meaford in 2026, it’s 100 years of service,” says Bell.
Bell was inspired to put the motion forward when newly appointed Coun. Eric Ennis informed him a crosswalk honouring veterans was installed in the Kitchener-Waterloo region.
“I have had opportunity to engage with the president of the local legion, he is very much in step with wanting to do this. He has told me it’s becoming common now in a lot of communities that they are doing this and I think it would be a great time for another further strengthening opportunity between the local legion and working with staff of the municipality to engage on this,” says Bell.
Bell would like to have the crosswalk installed before November.
While there is no standard for the design of the crosswalk, Bell advises against putting the design of the poppy or the Canadian flag on the ground.
“You can come up with a design that shows red and white and maple leafs, and you can have a short script on it,” says Bell.
Deputy Mayor Shirley Keaveney supported Bell’s motion adding she thinks it will mean a lot to the members of the military.
“I like that we have an opportunity to have some input into the design of it and perhaps the folks at 4th Canadian Division would like to contribute some ideas as well and it could be a project that we work on together,” says Keaveney.