Victoria Park cenotaph rededicated

Reflection The cenotaph in Victoria Park was rededicated on Sunday afternoon in the kickoff to Legion Week. Above, the band leader of the Cobourg Legion Pipe Band bows his head in a silent moment of reflection during the ceremonies. For more photos parade, the dedication and its participants see page 13.

Victoria Park cenotaph rededicated

By BARRY HOCH

Close to 500 people -- civic leaders, war veterans, Cobourg Legion members and the general public -- were on hand in Vic- toria Park Sunday afternoon, under partly cloudy skies, for the rededication of the town cenotaph.

The rededication ceremony for the war memorial, which was preceded by a parade from the Branch 133 Legion on Orr Street to the park, was the kickoff to Legion Week in Cobourg.

The cenotaph, first unveiled on Remem- brance Day back in the mid-l920s by Effie Bolster, a Cobourg nurse in the First World War, was rededicated because the dates of the Second World War and the Korean War were recently added, Cy Mur- phy, Branch 133's public relations officer, said yesterday.

The memorial to Cobourg's fallen sons and daughters has recognized all three wars, although just the names of the last two conflicts. At the same time the dates were being added to the cenotaph, it was also being spruced up by sandblasting.

The rededication was performed through an address and prayer given by Ar- chdeacon J.C. Clough, padre to Branch 133. Rev. R.L. Seaborn gave the scripture reading and Rev. Canon T.A. Tarleton han- dled the benediction.

Five wreaths were laid at the foot of the cenotaph. Branch 133 president Art Jones did the honors for the local Legion. Mayor Mac Lees presented a wreath on behalf of Cobourg. The other three wreaths were placed by veterans from each of the respective wars -- Ray Muir for the First World War, Reid (Tucky) Thomas for the Second World War and Sam Colbary for the Korean War.

After the wreaths were laid, piper David Blower played Amazing Grace.

Nearly 300 people participated in the parade and ceremonies, including veterans from the three wars, the Cobourg Legion Pipe, the Royal Marine Band, air and sea cadets and several town council members, while 200 people braved chilly temperatures to watch the ceremonies.

Following the rededication, a reception was held at the Cobourg Legion.