Harper Government Rededicates Newly Restored Battle of Hill 70 Memorial in Mountain, Ontario

MOUNTAIN, ON, Sept. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, and Guy Lauzon, Member of Parliament for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry, today attended the Battle of Hill 70 Memorial rededication ceremony in Mountain, Ontario.

"Our Government is committed to honouring Canada's Veterans and the brave men and women in uniform who continue to serve today," said Minister Blaney. "I am very proud to be here today to rededicate this newly restored monument. I commend the Township of North Dundas and the Mountain and District Lions Club for their hard work and dedication in ensuring that the contributions and sacrifices of the men and women who served in the Battle of Hill 70 are never forgotten."

The rededication service consisted of speeches by special guests, the dedication of the monument and a wreath-laying ceremony, followed by a reception.

"This special monument commemorates those service men and women who served and lost their lives in the Battle of Hill 70," said MP Lauzon. "Cenotaphs and monuments across our country are powerful reminders of the sacrifices made by our nation's truest heroes."

The Mountain and District Lions Club has received Government of Canada funding of $38,933 through Veterans Affairs Canada's Community War Memorial Program, to assist with the major addition to the Battle of Hill 70 Memorial in the community of Mountain, Ontario. The project included the mounting of the two existing boulders on newly constructed cement bases; the installation of a new granite memorial between the mounted boulders; a walkway, a ramp and a surround pad constructed of pavers to improve accessibility to the site; the replacement of the existing flagpoles; and a new story board, highlighting the history of the Battle of Hill 70.

The Township of North Dundas, in partnership with the Mountain and District Lions Club, will receive up to $5,000 under the Community Engagement Partnership Fund in support of the dedication ceremony.

Applications to the Community War Memorial Program can be submitted at any time during the year and are reviewed on a quarterly basis. Interested non-profit groups and other organizations may be eligible for funding to build new memorials or to make major additions to existing ones.

Non-profit groups, educational institutions and other organizations delivering remembrance activities and events may also be eligible for funding under the Community Engagement Partnership Fund. Applications to this fund are accepted throughout the year.

For more information on both programs, please visit veterans.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Veterans Affairs Canada