Upon learning that 250 light armoured vehicles (LAV III) from the Canadian Afghanistan mission were going to be deactivated, HCol (Ret'd) Tom Jenkins OC, CD suggested to the Prime Minister's Office that they be offered to communities across Canada as monuments commemorating the service of Canadians that served in Afghanistan.
Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) III were originally manufactured by Canadians at General Dynamics Land Systems Canada in London, Ontario and were instrumental to troops in carrying out their missions while in Afghanistan. The monuments were created from decommissioned LAV III hulls, donated by the Government of Canada and built by Militex Coating Inc. and Fanshawe College students in London, Ontario.
On November 5, 2014, the Canada Company Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) lll Monument Program was launched to recognize the 40,000 Canadians Armed Forces who served in Afghanistan and to commemorate the 162 Canadians who lost their lives. The program closed after awarding 33 monuments to communities across Canada.
On Saturday November 11, 2017, the City of Kitchener and the Regimental Council of the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada dedicated this monument before the Regiment, dignitaries, and Kitchener citizens. This is the third such monument in the Waterloo Region as a result of the work of the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada Regimental Trust and Council which demonstrates the huge support for their newer Veterans. The project was funded by the City of Kitchener, funds and/or services raised by the Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada Regimental Council, and from individual and corporate sponsors.
