alberta

3 articles

Sep13

2014What are 'Flags of Remembrance'?

Flags of Remembrance is a national tribute launched in 2014 by Al Cameron and Veterans Voices of Canada to honour members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Royal Canadian Military Police, and First Responders. Each fall, 128 Canadian flags line the roads in communities such as Sylvan Lake, Dunnville, and Charlottetown, with every flag representing one thousand Canadian war dead or missing in action from the South African War to today, as well as fallen RCMP officers. Unique plaques beneath each flag individually recognize veterans, both past and present, and serve as personal tributes from families and friends. Celebrating its 12th anniversary in 2025, this powerful display not only preserves Canada’s military heritage but also supports ongoing efforts to document veterans’ stories for future generations.

Sep28

1999Why are there two members of the Canadian Armed Forces' Military Police memorialized on the Alberta Police and Peace Officers' Memorial?

The Alberta Police and Peace Officers' Memorial, located on the grounds of the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton, honors fallen members of the law enforcement community, including two Military Police officers: Corporal Stephen David Gibson and Corporal Randy Joseph Payne. Their inclusion on the memorial underscores the close bond between military and civilian police, especially when tragedy strikes in service. Corporal Gibson, aged 29, was killed in 2003 near Medicine Hat while acting as an escort for the Terry Fox run—on his very first day as a Military Police officer at CFB Suffield. Corporal Payne was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2006, serving on a Close Protection Team for a Canadian general, highlighting the global risks faced by Alberta's peace officers and the enduring legacy remembered at the annual memorial ceremony.

Jul4

1916What is Mount Edith Cavell?

Mount Edith Cavell is a striking 3,363-metre peak in the Athabasca and Astoria River valleys of Jasper National Park, Alberta, named in honour of the English nurse and First World War heroine Edith Cavell. Cavell was executed by German forces in October 1915 for her role in aiding over 200 Allied soldiers to escape from occupied Belgium, an act that made her an enduring symbol of courage and humanitarianism. Remarkably, Canada was among the first to memorialize her internationally, designating the mountain with her name on 4 July 1916, less than a year after her death. Today, 108 years later, Mount Edith Cavell stands as both a natural wonder and a poignant tribute, as Canada prepares for the 110th anniversary of her sacrifice.