Lumby rebuilding honour to soliders

By Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star Published: June 02, 2013 1:00 AMA historic monument honouring the lives of Lumby soldiers needs the community’s support to restore its glory.  Lumby’s cenotaph, in Oval Park, is literally falling apart. “It’s been needing repairs desperately,” said Mayor Kevin Acton of the aging monument which has stones falling out of it. “It’s quite sad. “You think about these guys that gave their life for us.” The cenotaph is anticipated to cost approximately $22,000 to replace. The new structure is hoped to be finished in time for Remembrance Day (Nov. 11, 2013). The village is applying for a federal grant which will match fundraising dollars, therefore it is seeking community support to help build the new cenotaph. A booth will be set up at the curling rink during Lumby Days June 7 to 9. “We’re asking for feedback and if people have ideas we will be collecting them,” said Coun. Nick Hodge, who is taking on the project and hoping to send people home with information and donation envelopes. The new structure will be centred around a large rock, which was gifted to the Lumby legion, as the monument. A new bronze plaque will be applied and the goal is to create a pathway from the road to patio around the cenotaph. “It’s going to be in the same location,” said Hodge. Hodge is confident residents will support the cause to honour their local heroes. “It’s been a topic of conversation in the community for years that something needs to be done,” said Hodge, noting that the village can issue charitable receipts. Anyone who would like to support the project can mail or drop donations off at the Village of Lumby office at 1775 Glencaird Street (mailing address is Box 430 Lumby, V0E 2G0). Donations should be marked for the Cenotaph Project.