On September 20, 1998, the city of Kanata dedicated its very own cenotaph. A place for Kanata's residents to gather, reflect, pray or just spend a quiet moment in remembrance of those who gave their lives so that we might live in peace and freedom. Local, regional and national governments, military and public guests were in attendance at the dedication ceremony. The touching ceremony was conducted with military precision including the fly past of two military helicopters during the playing of the Last Post. Following the dedication, a reception was held at the Legion, catered by the Ladies Auxiliary.
The arrival of Kanata's cenotaph took two years, tens of thousands of dollars, many donations, private and public, and most of all, hundreds of volunteer hours.
In November 1996, Kanata Legion Branch 638 President Harry Riley asked Mr. John Gooch to assume the responsibility as Cenotaph Chairman. After numerous meetings with city officials and Urbandale Developments, a site was chosen and named "Village Green Memorial Park". The Legion donated a flagpole and kicked-off a fundraising program that would eventually result in twenty trees being planted around the park, each with a commemorative plaque, and a park bench in August 1997. Merle Nicholds, Mayor of the City of Kanata presented a cheque to the Legion for the flagpole.
The search for a suitable stone that would be the focal point of the Cenotaph was found in October 1997. The City of Kanata moved it to a safe location until Urbandale Developments were ready to put it in place at the Village Green Memorial Park. In April 1998, work on the site began. The steady progress allowed the developers and the Legion to target September 18, 1998, as the completion date, with the dedication to take place September 20. The wording on the plaque was approved at a Legion general meeting.
