Monument on the move?

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: January 09, 2009

A monument dedicated to Vernon’s rich military history may move because some residents are treating it with disrespect. On Monday, council will consider a request from the B.C. Dragoons to relocate the Dragoons monument on 25th Avenue possibly to the area surrounding city hall. “It is clear that the monument now is in a location not suitable for the reverence it deserves,” said Lt.-Col. C.A. Jamieson, the unit’s commanding officer, in a letter to the city. The monument, across from Lincoln Lanes, was unveiled in 1996. Among the concerns of the Dragoons is litter around the monument, as well as graffiti “and the general disrespect for the site by transients, addicts and the homeless,” said Jamieson. The Dragoons have been a fixture in the Okanagan for a century, and its members have participated in all of Canada’s major conflicts. “To emphasize the importance of this monument to the B.C. Dragoons and to the city, one remembers that it stands as a testament to the service, honour and sacrifices that the soldiers of our regiment have made to Vernon, the Okanagan Valley and our nation, and continue to do so in Afghanistan today,” wrote Jamieson.“To see it ill-treated, as it is now, is of great concern for us. No doubt, it is of concern to other citizens as well.”

Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe is not pleased with some of the activities occurring at the monument. “Recognition of the Dragoons is important and we want to ensure we are properly honouring those people,” she said. The concept of relocating the monument to the city hall grounds has the support of Mayor Wayne Lippert. “It’s an opportune time to do this when we are building the B.C. Spirits Square on the civic grounds,” he said. The Spirits Square will be a $500,000 upgrade to the area around city hall, the museum and the library, including a performance area, new landscaping and lighting improvements. Construction will begin in the spring. Lippert is confident that the move will reduce security issues surrounding the monument. “At the civic complex, it will be in an area where more people are around,” he said. Lippert also believes a new location would encourage more residents to come out for the annual tribute to the Dragoons. “It would help raise public awareness. It will help remind people of what the troops are doing,” he said.