Royal Winnipeg Rifles unveil renovated regimental memorial at Vimy Ridge Park

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This article was published 09/11/2018 (2141 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

On a weekend to remember, the Royal Winnipeg Rifles unveiled a renewed tribute to the lives they will never forget.

It was a moment over two years in the making. On Saturday, one day after the infantry regiment marked its 135th anniversary, past and current Rifles gathered at Vimy Ridge Park to reveal a newly renovated regimental memorial.

The original monument, erected in 1992, was showing its age. Now, it’s been spruced up with a new raised plinth, and expanded by the addition of 300 black legacy stones, most honouring past Rifles and friends of the regiment.

“It’s a great day for the regiment,” said retired major general Dennis Tabbernor, of the Royal Winnipeg Rifles Foundation.

“To unveil a brand-new memorial that will be here forever, and to recognize the soldiers who have served in the regiment, and those who will serve, it’s a great day for the unit.”

Despite a bitterly cold morning, nearly 300 people turned out to the park for the hour-long re-consecration ceremony. The crowd included cadets, veterans from across the military, family members and supporters.

The size of the crowd was a pleasant surprise considering the weather, Tabbernor said. But the fact that so many people turned out for the ceremony speaks to how much the monument means to soldiers new and old, he added.

“Some people I haven’t seen for 30 years were here today, so I’ll be able to renew old acquaintances from years and years ago,” he said. “So it was a great day.”

Dignitaries from all three levels of government, including Lt. Gov. Janice Filmon, Winnipeg mayor Brian Bowman, MP Robert Falcon-Ouellette and MLA Jon Reyes gave speeches in honour of the Rifles’ long history in Winnipeg.

The reserve regiment, which is based out of Minto Armoury, also formally re-dedicated itself to Canada’s service.

Renewing monuments such as the Vimy Ridge memorial are a key part of honouring the regiment’s legacy of service, said commanding officer Lt. Gen. Dennis Desrochers, including those who died in both World Wars.

“It’s critically important, because it serves as a reminder,” he said. “It also engages the next generation, the new soldiers in… ensuring remembrance is always first and foremost, and the sacrifice of all those who participated.”

The renovation started over two years ago. About $86,000 in funding came from the Rifles’ own foundation; the city and Veterans Affairs Canada each kicked in $50,000, and the Winnipeg Foundation added a $20,000 contribution.

Work started in the spring and finished just over a week ago, with the last of the legacy stones laid. There were some challenges along the way, Tabbernor said, but the Little Black Devils haven’t backed from a challenge yet.

“We’re good Riflemans, and we did what we’re supposed to do,” Tabbernor said, with a grin.

melissa.martin@freepress.mb.ca