After what has been quite some time in the making, the new plaque on the Golden Cenotaph has been unveiled just in time to honour the 100th anniversary of the First World War.
Colleen Palumbo, director of the Golden Museum, spoke about the war, and the community’s role in it.
“This war lasted four years. No country, city or community was left untouched by the conflict during those times, and our community was not immune,” she said at a ceremony Monday evening to honour the anniversary.
There were more than 300 men from the Columbia Valley who signed up to serve. On the home front, cargo and troops passed through Golden to make their way towards the war. Women and children stepped up to take on the workload of their departed husbands, fathers and relatives. Money was raised for the Canadian Patriotic Fund, and rationing affected daily life.
Remembrance is when our community remembers those who did not make it back from overseas, but Monday’s ceremony was an opportunity to honour the 276 soldiers from the valley who made it home, some with physical and mental wounds.
The new plaque was made possible by the Town of Golden and Mount 7 Monuments. After the ceremony, attendees went to the Royal Canadian Legion for a reception.
