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| Lafarge provides material for Canadian memorial in the UK Lafarge Canada is donating Canadian granite for a monument commemorating the Canadian airmen and airwomen who served alongside Great Britain during the World Wars, and specifically the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The monument is being constructed at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, England, the United Kingdom's 150 acre sanctuary and centre of remembrance of those who gave their lives in service to their country, and all other men and women who served. Lafarge was approached for help finding granite for the monument in February 2011 by Captain Jean Houde, Deputy Flight Commander of 426 Squadron of the Canadian Forces. Inspiration for the Canadian memorial came when British Royal Air Force Flight Lieutenant Alfie Hall visited the National Memorial Arboretum in May 2010, and noticed the absence of a memorial dedicated to the various Canadian air forces that have served in the UK. Lt. Halls' own 609 (West Riding) Squadron had twenty-one Canadian pilots serving alongside his own countrymen during WWII. As a result, Lt. Hall decided to spearhead a fundraising campaign for a monument commemorating the dedication and sacrifice of so many Canadians. The memorial consists of a circular ring comprised of thirteen equal pieces of granite representing each of the ten Canadian Provinces and three territories. Within the circle is an upright monolith inscribed with a history of the various Canadian air forces set atop a maple leaf, Canada's national emblem, also in granite. The monument's design is based on the modern Canadian Forces roundel, which is painted on all CF aircraft. Lafarge sourced the Sturgeon Falls granite from one of its distributors, Gott Natural Stone of Feversham, Ontario, who is fabricating the granite for the perimeter circle, the maple leaf and the base of the centre monolith. The cut and honed granite will be delivered to the Canadian Forces Base in Trenton during the second week of May. write your comments about the article :: © 2011 Construction News :: home page |