Video: Honour Wall dedication ceremony

The Estevan branch of the Royal Canadian Legion held a dedication ceremony at the Royal Heights Veterans Memorial Park Sunday afternoon. A significant project – the Honour Wall with the names of First and Second World Wars and Korean War Estevan veterans – is completed and officially opened.

The person behind this project, Lyle Dukart, has been working hard to find information about as many people who served Canada in combat and peacekeeping missions.

“I feel quite relieved after 11 years of doing this,” said Dukart.

The project was inspired by a husband and wife who passed on and didn’t have any children to carry on their names and stories.

“The only way they were going to be recognized is by our Wall,” explained Dukart.

And off it went. A lot of work was done through this time. There also were a lot of challenges on the way.

“I did what I could, I put it in public eye two or three times. And a lot of phone call, a lot of researching.”

Dukart said that getting veterans in the right war was one of the most difficult parts.

“First World War was my biggest obstacle because there were very little records of it, and the stuff that was kept was all handwritten and it was so hard to read the writings,” explained Dukart.

He has spent countless hours looking through archives and talking to people. Second World War veteran Jim Spenst was a great help.

And even after all the research Dukart believes that there is a lot more to do.

The Sunday ceremony involved Estevan RCMP, Royal Canadian Legion members, Estevan (Elks) PPCLI Army Cadet Corps and pipe band. The ceremony started with the march towards the sight, which was followed by an opening speech and a prayer by St. Paul’s United Church pastor Jason Richards.

“The whole concept and idea of this Memorial Wall for the people who came back to give back to the community from which they were from with all their spirit and experience,” said Richards, noting that thus the community is honouirng those people and what they've done for the city.

During his speech, Dukart also talked about the meaning and importance of the Honour Wall.

“This Wall was built to recognize the people that came back to Estevan and community. They became builders of the community by being mayors of Estevan, police officers, businessmen, farmers, coal miners. These men and women have put in many volunteer hours and raised money for hospitals, support youth groups such as Legion Track and Field… hockey teams and senior homes,” said Dukart. “This Wall is a small tribute to the veterans who came home and built the community.”

He also expressed hope that someone will pick up the “torch” and will carry this Wall on to recognize peacekeepers, law enforcements and other people defending the community and the country.