A monument was unveiled today in Toronto at the Fort York Armoury to honour the 40,000 Canadian Armed Forces’ members who served in Afghanistan. Soldiers and their families effected by the war overseas look at the unique monument as a sacred symbol.
Between 2001 and 2014, 162 Canadians lost their lives there.
Donna Beeak, the mother of fallen soldier Corey Joseph Hayes says these events make it feel like she’s part of a family.
The monument is a replica LAV III, a light armoured vehicle.
Those who chose to fight for and protect our country, spent their days in the LAV.
It was their firepower, their safety net, where they had their fellow soldiers by their side.
Former Colonel Blake Goldring is the owner of Canada company that installs the LAV III monuments across the country.
He says this vehicle was more than just a workhorse for Canadian soldiers.
The replica is made from a de-commissioned vehicle actually used by soldiers in Afghanistan. It was donated by the Government of Canada.
Soldiers say this monument is special because it not only represents those who died, but also those who continue to serve.
There is a LAV III monument at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, which pays special tribute to local fallen soldiers from the Afghanistan mission.
The one unveiled in Toronto was the 19th LAV III monument installed. By the end of the year, there will be 33 in total.
