Field of crosses assembled along Calgary’s Memorial Drive
Posted Oct 22, 2022 8:54 pm.
Last Updated Oct 22, 2022 9:06 pm.
Despite the snowy day, volunteers gathered Saturday morning to set up a field of crosses ahead of Remembrance Day, in memory of all southern Albertans who served in the military and gave the ultimate sacrifice — a time honoured tradition in the city.
“We just hope that people never forget,” said Murray Maccan, founder and chair of the Field of Crosses Foundation.
“Some years it’s been warm, last year it rained, this year it snows, but they all come because they recognize that the soldiers that we celebrate here didn’t have a choice of weather.”
Maccan created the field of crosses 11 years ago, to keep the memory of those who fought for freedom alive.
There are 3,620 crosses throughout the field, displaying the names of fallen soldiers.
READ MORE:
“Starting November the first, every morning at sunrise, and every evening at sunset, we have services here with the military, with the colour guard, buglers, pipers, they can come out to those services or they can come anytime, 24/7 and the field is there,” said Maccan. “Walk along the crosses, stop at any cross, read about the soldier, and listen to his story and he’ll talk to you.”
Volunteers from the Calgary Stampede will help maintain and straighten the crosses each day as a sign of respect.
A final service is held at the field of crosses on Remembrance Day, Nov.11.
