Ingersoll set to dedicate new veterans’ crosswalk

This year’s Remembrance Day observances in Ingersoll will also feature a dedication ceremony for a new — and unique — memorial honoring veterans of all races and cultural backgrounds.

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This new veterans’ crosswalk at the corner of Oxford and King streets near the cenotaph will stand as a “lasting tribute to the sacrifices of those who have served,” Ingersoll BIA officials said in a media release.

The memorial will be dedicated on Monday, Nov. 11, in conjunction with the Remembrance Day ceremony presented by the local branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.

The design of the crosswalk is intended to reflect a message of unity and respect, and features the phrase, “Lest We Forget,” in French and English. The memorial also includes phrases in Indigenous languages ​​— “all the people remember, thank you warriors” in the Oneida language and “all my relations remember, thank you warriors” in the Anishnaabemowin language — to acknowledge the contributions of Indigenous veterans, workers and farmers .

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In the creation of the memorial, Indigenous language carriers from Atlohsa Family Healing Services in London were consulted by Patricia Marshal-DeSutter, the director of the Ingersoll and Area’s Indigenous Solidarity and Awareness Network.

The memorial was the work of local artist Deb Campbell based on a collaborative vision with co-artist Marshal-DeSutter, the Ingersoll legion and the town’s veterans’ crosswalk committee. In addition to the commemorative phrases, the design features a pair of powerful symbols — a dove and an eagle, which face the text as if speaking the words aloud. The dove is a well-known symbol of peace while the eagle represents love, courage and strength — core values ​​from Indigenous traditions.

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Framing the memorial are the colors of the four directions of the traditional medicine wheel — white, yellow, red and black. These colors represent the diverse races and communities that have served or lost loved ones in times of conflict. These colors also align with the four cardinal directions, helping ensure the memorial is inclusive and recognizes all sacrifices made for freedom, officials said.

“This memorial is a deeply thoughtful and original creation that reflects the diversity of those who have served and the values ​​of unity and remembrance,” said BIA co-ordinator Virginia Armstrong, a member of the crosswalk committee. “We are excited to dedicate this tribute to our veterans, with the community, on Remembrance Day.”

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The other committee members involved with the design and realization of the project were BIA board members Gordon Lesser and Adam Funnell, legion president Rob Made, Marshal-DeSutter, and public works staff members Rich Fleming and Doug Witiuk.

The dedication ceremony will take place on Nov. 11 at 10:30 am The Ingersoll Downtown BIA is inviting all members of the community to take part in this “collective act of reflection and gratitude.”

Oxford County Remembrance Day ceremonies

Woodstock: Monday, Nov. 11, at 10:30 am, Victoria Park cenotaph

Ingersoll: Monday, Nov. 11, at 10:30 am, Ingersoll Town Honor Roll, Ingersoll Town Center

Tillsonburg: Monday, Nov. 11, at 10:30 am Silent walk from Veteran’s Memorial Walkway and Ralph Street to cenotaph at TIllsonburg Town Center

Norwich: Monday, Nov. 11, at 11 am at Norwich cenotaph at Emily Stowe public school

Otterville: Sunday, Nov. 10, at 1 pm at Otterville cenotaph

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