The Casselman Cenotaph is topped by a cross with a downward pointed sword. It is approximately four meters high and is flanked by a walkway and three flag poles. The names of those who served for their country, two of which were killed in action, are inscribed on the cenotaph.
In the fall of 1946, the Casselman sons who had sacrificed their lives for their country during the Second World War were to be honoured in a ceremony. Thousands of citizens of Casselman and the neighbouring communities gathered to witness the commemoration ceremony in what was then the municipal park.
Nothing had been spared to make the day special. The honourable Douglas Abbott, then minister of National Defence, unveiled a monument erected in memory of our heroes. Several members of the House of Commons in 1946 had also made the trip for the occasion. Mrs Eugène Racine, whose son was one of the Casselman men killed in action, laid a flower wreath on behalf of all the county’s mothers who had lost a son. It was a particularly moving moment for her because the day was also the first anniversary of her son’s death.
When the honourable Douglas Abbott, minister of National Defence, unveiled the monument, assisted by Mr. J. Omer Gour, member of Parliament for Russell, the Rockland fanfare, lead by Sylvio Gauthier, sang a patriotic hymn.
Many dignitaries were present at the ceremony, including the honourable Gaspard Fauteux, speaker of the House of Commons; the honourable Paul Martin, secretary of State; colonel Hughes Lapointe, member of Parliament for Lotbinière, and Léopold Langlais, member for Gaspé. In their speeches, they all paid homage to the Casselman veterans who served their country with distinction. All the mayors and reeves from the neighbouring communities had come to show their respect for the heroes. The former mayor of Casselman, Valmore Bourbonnais, was also present. The ceremony ended with an emotional - O Canada - sung in unison.
The cenotaph was originally erected on the right side of the church, which is now a parking lot. It was later moved in front of the church rectory, where it still stands. To this day, people still gather around the cenotaph each fall on Remembrance Day.
