As news broke of Queen Elizabeth II’s death on Sept. 8, members of a local organization were already gathered to see a new monument to her Platinum Jubilee this year.
The IODE Kent Regiment Chapter used a federal government grant to install an accessible granite picnic table with four stools at the Veteran Tribute Garden in Chatham in celebration of 70 years of Elizabeth’s reign as monarch.
“Queen Elizabeth was, is, the patron of IODE and IODE has a commitment to service,” Garna Argenti, co-president of the IODE chapter, said. “We have followed in her service over her life. Our goal is to make the lives of women and children in Canada better.”
Argenti said the organization was notified last December of the department of Canadian Heritage’s plans to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. The Kent Regiment Chapter received $5,000.
The federal government dispersed over $2 million across Canada for monuments and events related to Queen Elizabeth.
Along with the picnic table, there will be stone inserted into the walking path at the Thames Street park which commemorates Queen Elizabeth “and her lifelong support of Canada’s military.”
The choice of the Veterans Tribute Garden as the location of the picnic table was obvious to the IODE chapter’s members, Argenti said.
“This little park is dedicated to remembering sacrifices of Chatham-Kent heroes during the conflicts of the 20th century and up to today,” she said.
The Tribute Garden now has two granite picnic tables. Another was previously installed for a separate reason.
Argenti said IODE members are keeping the Royal Family in their prayers.
“Queen Elizabeth has passed away,” she said. The IODE members who were gathered at the park “have never known another monarch in the Commonwealth, so it’s going to be different days.”
The Kent Regiment chapter was to hold a ceremony Sunday at 2 pm at the Veterans Tribute Garden to dedicate the new picnic table, as well as new flag poles at the garden from a separate project.
Refreshments were available afterwards at the Royal Canadian Legion branch 642 at 39 William St. N. In the event of rain, the ceremony was to be held at the Legion hall.