In December 2016, a small cenotaph committee was formed to discuss the design and details of a memorial. They selected the Maple Leaf design to commemorate Canada’s 150th Birthday in 2017. Campbell Monuments in Belleville, Ontario, was chosen to help design and create the memorial.
The Oriental Red granite was imported from overseas then cut and polished for several days at Rock of Ages Canada, Quebec. The inscriptions were completed at Campbell Monument in Belleville, Ontario. The new memorial replaces the white marble cenotaph that was installed in the village after the Second World War. It was moved to the Buckhorn Community Centre in 1980. The older cenotaph was moved to a local cemetery for care and upkeep by the municipality.
The Heroes of Yesterday/Memory Lane honours local heroes from the First and Second World Wars and Afghanistan. The memorial is surrounded by gardens, benches and Autumn Blaze maple trees. It was erected on November 1, 2017.
Memory Lane is the walkway leading up to the memorial. Over 120 polished granite stones rest on either side of the walkway with personalized inscriptions from Veterans and civilians. They represent the community’s deep roots in military history, family history and the magnificent Spirit of Service that has made the community what it is today. The walkway stones were installed the week of November 6, 2017.
The Dedication Service and Remembrance Service were on November 8, 2017. Reverend Terry Ingram presided over the Dedication Service, followed by a Remembrance Service with Shelley Bertram Fallis, MC representing Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 77. Colour Parties were present from four local Royal Canadian Legion Branches: Branch 77, Lakefield, Branch 239 Bobcaygeon, Branch 52 Peterborough, Branch 381 Apsley and Branch 77 Ladies Auxiliary.
The Buckhorn Cenotaph that was previously located here was moved to Sandy Lake Cemetery in 2018.
