The artistically carved memorial, known in the community as the Soldier Tree, is to receive some finishing touches in the near future.
Lester Hinzman, a member of the memorial tree committee reported that the chainsaw artist who created the tribute to the military in the First and Second World Wars and ensuing combats, will be back in Estevan on April 18 and 19 to complete the carving.
Darren Jones of Rimby, Alta., has spent more than a few hours in crafting and detailing the work using a 100-year-old cottonwood tree at a site south of Estevan, the former location of the Pawson Market Gardens.
“He will be bringing the two memorial benches with him. They also have a military theme,” said Hinzman.
Two copies of Captain Canada, a cartoon-like Canadian beaver in military uniform has also been carved by Jones with one currently being raffled through the Estevan Branch of the Royal Canadian Legion and the other to be auctioned or raffled off through the Estevan Wildlife Federation.
When the entire project is completed, the solider tree and memorial benches will be placed near the Estevan cenotaph on the courthouse lawn in Estevan.
“I believe this will be a nice added attraction for the city, and a tourist draw too,” said Hinzman, commenting on the planned installation that is expected later this summer or early fall.
