Tillsonburg Unveils New Remembrance Crosswalk to Honour Veterans

The Town of Tillsonburg has inaugurated a new Remembrance Crosswalk, strategically positioned on Broadway Street in front of the Cenotaph and the Tillsonburg Town Centre. This installation, completed on November 3, 2023, aligns with the upcoming Remembrance Day, which is observed on November 11 annually.

The initiative to create the crosswalk was spearheaded by members of Legion Branch 153, who approached the town council with their request earlier this month. According to Tom Brown, President of Legion Branch 153, the community response has been overwhelmingly positive. “Everyone, especially the veterans and other members of the legion that are not veterans, are delighted to see something like that in the Town of Tillsonburg showing respect,” he stated.

In an email to CTV News, Deb Gilvesy, the town’s mayor, expressed her support for the project. She noted that the crosswalk serves as a significant tribute to both past and present members of the armed forces. “The Town is pleased to have completed the request for the installation by our local Legion Branch 153. This crosswalk, leading to the Cenotaph, serves as a daily reminder of the sacrifices made by our veterans and the deep respect and gratitude we hold for them,” Gilvesy remarked.

The emotional significance of the crosswalk is evident to those who have served. Brown, a veteran with 30 years of experience in the Canadian military, expressed his personal connection to the project. On the day of the installation, he walked across the crosswalk for the first time, stating, “I will walk across that crosswalk again, and it brings me to tears really.”

To formally commemorate the opening, the legion plans to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 6, 2023, at 11 a.m., with local veterans in attendance. The event aims to further acknowledge the contributions and sacrifices made by veterans within the community.

As Tillsonburg prepares to observe Remembrance Day, the new crosswalk stands as a poignant reminder of the enduring legacy of those who have served.