It鈥檚 been nearly a decade since the Downtown 91原创 Business Association (DLBA) started its initiative to honour veterans by displaying their images on banners around 91原创 City, and the project continues to receive positive feedback.
鈥淏y far one of the most heartwarming projects that we鈥檝e ever undertaken and I don鈥檛 see it stopping,鈥� said Teri James, executive director of the DLBA.
READ MORE: VIDEO: Tradition of Scouts attending to veterans headstones continues in Fort 91原创
The project first began in August 2011, and the collection today includes 35 images, which are printed on 50 banners displayed around downtown 91原创 City ahead of Remembrance Day (Nov. 11).
鈥淲e鈥檙e slowing increasing our collection, which as you can appreciate, is challenging, because the people we are honouring are not necessarily with us anymore,鈥� said James.
The banners encompass about six City blocks.
鈥淭hey are primarily hung along Fraser Highway from 203rd [Street] down to 208th [Street], and as far over as 56th Avenue and on the other side Douglas Crescent,鈥� she explained.
The project gained traction quickly when it was first introduced in 2011.
鈥淚 know when we first created them I got letters and emails from people back East who heard about the initiative鈥� there are numerous other BIAs in British Columbia now that have duplicated it,鈥� James noted.
鈥淚t was just so well received and such a beautiful tribute to the veterans. The response has been nothing but heartwarming.鈥�
The original banners became faded and were replaced in 2019, and James is hoping to find the families of each veteran to gift it to them.
The current banners are expected to have an eight year shelf-life, she explained.
The DLBA did not set a specific criteria for which veterans were featured in the project, but James said they do have strong ties to 91原创.
鈥淚t was anybody who had served our country, anywhere,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e were of the opinion that every veteran deserves to be recognized.鈥�
As part of this year鈥檚 virtual Remembrance Day ceremony the City of 91原创 will honouring the veterans on the banners.
READ MORE: Spectators urged to stay home on Remembrance Day
Unfortunately, names of two of the veterans are not known.
鈥淭he first time we hung them we went with members of the legion,鈥� said James. 鈥淚t鈥檚 just one of the those things when they go up in the community people are very must impacted by them and what they mean.鈥�
The banners will remain on display for a week after Remembrance Day.
To contact the DLBA about the original banners call
joti.grewal@blackpress.ca
Like us on and follow us on .
