Cowichan Lake Cenotaph
 

Lake Cowichan, British Columbia

Constructed in the fall of 1960 in memory of those who fell in WWI, WWII and the Korean War.

The Cowichan Lake Cenotaph was erected by members of Branch #210 of the Royal Canadian Legion in the fall of 1960. The stones were brought from surrounding hills and were lovingly cut and placed by Art Skoda, who stated there would always be a little part of him in Lake Cowichan. Mr. Skoda died the following Remembrance Day in the Interior.

Nels LaForge and a large group of volunteers worked on the project. Geoff Dalman was president of the Legion at that time. The Cenotaph was designed by Alan Harder, and financial help was received from local companies and individuals.

The Cenotaph was built in the triangular island that sits at the junction of North Shore and South Shore Roads. It was moved to its present location in Central Park in June 1975, because it posed a hazard to motorists. The Legion supported the move as the Annual Remembrance Day service would be uninterrupted at the new location. Colourful Remembrance Day services are held annually at the Cenotaph.

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Each year, members of the Royal Canadian Legion and its Ladies' Auxiliary attended the same spot. The memories well up as familiar words, hymns, and trumpets are played. Yesterday, as they led the memorial day services, Lake Cowichan joined in silence.

The service was conducted by Legion Padre Rev. Fred Hartle. The master of ceremonies was Legionnaire Gordon Loutet. Parade commander was Legionnaire Ray Bennett.

Everyone gathered in the Co-op parking lot and the parade marched to the location of the Cenotaph. There were two colour parties to represent the Legion and its Ladies' Auxiliary. John O'Reilly was sergeant-at-arms in charge of both colour parties. Air Cadets and Sea Cadets formed honour guards at the Cenotaph while the R.C.M.P., Elks Club, Scouts and others played their respectful roles.

The L.C.S.S. band provided the music for the ceremonies, conducted by Mike Simkins, with Michelle Jessiman playing the bugle. The immortal poem, "In Flanders Fields", and the Legion prayer, "They Shall Not Grow Old", was recited. Colours were paraded, and both the national Anthem and "God Save The Queen" were sung.

Information taken from an article in
The Lake News
Lake Cowichan, B.C.
Wednesday, November 12, 1986

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