The unique way Vernon is considering honouring its veterans

November 16, 2016 - 6:30 PM By Charlotte Helston InfoNews.ca
VERNON - Vernon could become the first city in Canada to honour veterans with a poppy crosswalk. The idea came about in a conversation between Mayor Akbal Mund and legion president Ron Heuman. “Off the top of my head, I think it’s a good idea,” Heuman says. “It’s always important to have veterans on our minds. They are the ones who fought for the freedom we have today.” Heuman will be bringing the idea to legion members at an annual general meeting later this month. The city recently approved the creation of a rainbow crosswalk in the downtown core, and Mayor Mund believes a poppy crosswalk would be another great addition. “I look at it as art,” Mund says. The tentative location for the crosswalk is in front of Cenotaph Park on 30 Street. While there is no design yet, the crosswalk would likely feature painted poppies between the white safety lines. “I’m sure we could find groups who would want to paint them,” Mund says, adding he’s hopeful someone in the community would be willing to donate painting supplies. And he’s open to the idea of more themed crosswalks in the city as well. “It would be unique. We always talk about having something unique in our community so people will want to come and visit,” he says. Some that come to mind are a daffodil crosswalk to raise awareness about cancer, an RCMP crosswalk and a first responders crosswalk, Mund says. “It would be a reminder these entities exist,” he says.