This LAV III Monument honours the members of our Canadian Armed Forces who served to protect our way of life and freedoms during the post 9/11 war on terror in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014.
During their 12+ years in Afghanistan our troops were regularly confronted with enemy fire, suicide bombers and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). The Canadian made LAV IIIs’ superior technology offered a great defense and soon became relied upon to protect our troops and preserve lives during the conduct of a variety of missions to help restore peace and government to the people of Afghanistan.
The LAV III became a "home away from home" for many soldiers and now it has returned to our hometown in the form of a memorial to say “thank you” to these very troops for their efforts and sacrifices. This monument - located next to the municipal cenotaph - will provide our citizens a place to pay tribute to our modern-day veterans of Afghanistan and to ensure that our local Fallen Heroes of that conflict will be forever remembered. It also serves as a lasting tribute to the families of all of those members of the Canadian Forces, both Regular and Reserve, who’s lives were forever impacted by the deployment of their loved ones.
The LAVIII is the modern-day equivalent of a RAM Tank Kangaroo Carrier developed by Canadian Troops during the invasion of Normany in World War II and used by Allied Forces. It was developed by General Dynamics Land Systems, formerly GM Defense, of London, Ontario.