Plans are moving forward to refurbish, relocate, and enhance the community cenotaph paying tribute to local veterans in the village of Iroquois in area. A group of volunteers, with support and approval from the Municipality of South Dundas and Royal Canadian Legion Branch 340 in Iroquois, have launched an engraved stone fundraising campaign to assist towards the project’s $120,000 budget.
“This is a once-in-a-generation project to improve Iroquois’ tribute to our veterans. Our engraved stone fundraiser is key to ensure we have the funds to complete the project, so we are hoping that hundreds of local residents are willing to chip in and join the campaign,” said Volunteer Committee Chair Eric Duncan.
“We believe we have designed a beautiful space that brings the cenotaph and bronze plaques together in front of the Civic Centre. It is a highly visible location, so it will make sure the site will be seen by many visitors and residents alike for decades to come,” Duncan continued.
Engraved stones, which will be installed in the walkway area of the new site, can be purchased for $150. A charitable income tax receipt will be provided for $125, and donors can select the name(s) engraved on their 14” x 7” stone.
Households and businesses in the Iroquois postal code have been mailed a flyer with information and an order form that can be completed and dropped with payment at one of three locations: Mustard’s Variety (Iroquois Plaza), Brinston General Store, and the South Dundas Municipal Centre in Morrisburg. The form and other information is also available at www.SouthDundas.com/Cenotaph.
The Iroquois Veterans Cenotaph project has been organized by the same committee of volunteers who undertook a similar effort for the cenotaph site in front of Matilda Hall in Dixon’s Corners in 2019. The Iroquois project is unique in that there are currently two sites hosting the cenotaph, in an open space on Elizabeth Drive, and the bronze plaques listing local veterans, on the side of the Iroquois Civic Centre.
The project budget includes costs of the relocation of the cenotaph to the Civic Centre, complete refurbishment of the cenotaph and bronze plaques, an interlock walkway and square open space, a granite slab to display the bronze plaques, lighting, landscaping, and new flag poles. Construction is expected to take place in Summer/Fall 2022, with an unveiling and rededication planned in advance of the village’s annual Remembrance Day Service in early November.