The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 17 unveiled the mural on the north wall of the Sid Williams Theatre. The permanent display overlooks Jubilee Square and the cenotaph cairn adjacent to the Sid Williams Theatre where Remembrance Day ceremonies are held every Nov. 11. The wall of recognition mural honours local members of the air force, navy, Korean veterans and more.
The Legion, City of Courtenay, Courtenay Museum and Sid Williams Theatre all worked together. The project was chaired by Legion member Ron Webber who served with the Black Watch of the Royal Highland Regiment. Assisting him was legion president and Air Force veteran, Dave Bell. The organizations and individuals donated funds to make this happen. The project cost just under $5,000. As a charitable organization, the 4-H Club applied for and received a $3,000 grant for the mural from the Comox Valley Community Foundation. The Royal Canadian Legion Branch 17 Ladies Auxiliary donated $1,000. The City of Courtenay agreed to install lighting to illuminate the mural.
Wendy Fried did the research, looking for photographs in various archives such as the Department of National Defence, the Canadian War Museum and others. The 12 black-and-white photographs honour all who served in the First and Second World Wars, the Korean Police Action, and various peacekeeping actions throughout the world up to the conflict in Afghanistan. The photos provide striking and sometimes intimate glimpses into the reality of war and peacekeeping missions, as well as the camaraderie experienced by those involved. The photos depict women and aboriginal military personnel, as well as war-related and peacekeeping missions.
The official unveiling of the display was July 16 2011 at 11 a.m. at the Jubliee Square.
