Sarnia-Lambton Afghanistan Monument

In August 2015, the Sarnia First Hussars Association began the process of procuring a monument to honour those lost in combat during the Afghanistan Mission. The LAV’s were used extensively in Afghanistan by the Canadian Armed Forces for assault, mobility and protection – they were the “workhorse” of the Canadian Forces’ effort in Kandahar Province. The Sarnia First Hussar’s were able to obtain LAV III, hull number 77, and the vehicle’s 30 mm cannon was replaced with a fixed metal piece, and the engine, electronics and other equipment were removed.

The Sarnia First Hussars Association, along with the Royal Canadian Legion, Sarnia Branch 62, and the City of Sarnia, set up the 1st Hussars Association Afghanistan Monument Committee to raise funds for the project, under the direction of Honorary Colonel Barry A. Hogan. Led by the First Hussars Association, funds were received from the Kiwanis of the Seaway, Sarnia Legion Branch 62, the Sarnia Saints Rugby Club, the Royal Canadian Regiment, the Labourer’s International Union of North America, Local 1089, and from private citizens for the $65,000 project.

On October 30, 2016, a dedication ceremony took place unveiling the Sarnia-Lambton Afghanistan Monument in the southeast corner of Veterans Park in the presence of military personnel, dignitaries and six Silver Cross families – including those of two Sarnia/Lambton Afghanistan fallen. Military personnel included members of the 4th battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, the 1st Hussars, the 31st brigade and the Royal Highland Fusiliers, including Lt-Col. Mark Poland – brother of Brent Poland. Three bronze plaques are part of the memorial: one plaque is dedicated to Private William Cushley and Corporal Brent Poland, both of Sarnia/Lambton who died in action while serving in Afghanistan; a second plaque is dedicated to the 40,000 men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces deployed to Afghanistan, and the 159 who lost their lives, between 2001 and 2014; and the third plaque is dedicated to the 86 members of the First Hussars deployed in Afghanistan.

There are three plaques on the LAV III Monument;

PLAQUE #1:

DEDICATED TO THOSE

40,000 men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces who fought

in the Cause of Peace and Freedom and in the memory of those 159

who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

“Never to be forgotten”

Ils ont combattu pour la cause de la paix et de la liberte

2001         AFGHANISTAN         2014

PLAQUE #2:

IN MEMORY OF

Pte. CUSHLEY, William Jonathan James

1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment

Hometown: Port Lambton, Ontario

Age 21 years

Killed in Action: September 3rd, 2006

Cpl. POLAND, Brent Donald

2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment

Hometown: Camlachie, Ontario

Age 37 years

Killed in Action: April 8th, 2007

PLAQUE #3:

Honouring the members of the 1st Hussars

who served in the Afghanistan Mission

from 2003 to 2014

Hodie Non Cras