Calgarians honour fallen veterans in 16th Annual Field of Crosses setup

Approximately 150 volunteers in Calgary spent their  Saturday morning along Memorial Drive to help set up an important tradition in Calgary: the 16th annual Field of Crosses, to honour fallen veterans ahead of Remembrance Day.

Many volunteers have a personal connection to the cause; some have family members who served, some are veterans themselves, and others, like Eva Garlinski, just want to pay their respects to those who gave their lives for our country.

“I figured ‘You know what, if I can do my bit to help Canada and Calgary mark this, then its the smallest contribution I can do, these guys gave a lot more,'” she said.

Faron Brown served for 13-years. He’s volunteered every year since it began, to honour fallen soldiers from his unit, as well as his family members.

“I have a lot of friends that I know that died in Afghanistan from my unit,” he said. “The Prince’s First Unit in the Canadian Infantry lost the most in Afghanistan, and it goes to my heart with them guys that I knew.”

Brown was helping in the planting of 120 crosses, which represent the country’s soldiers who died in action.

“It’s basically to represent them all,” he said. “You can’t put them all on there for all of Canada, so we’ve got one for every 10,000.”

Brown says when the Field of Crosses first began it took them about a month to plant 400 crosses, and now, thanks to more volunteers, they’re able to plant over 3,600 in a day.

Carson Cripps’ grandfather and uncle both served, and this is his fourth year coming to help out with his family.

“So I just had those connections, and I just really like coming here and paying my respects to these people who’ve given me the freedom and opportunity in this country,” he said.

Sunrise and sunset ceremonies are held each day from Nov. 1 until Nov. 10 for anyone wishing to pay their respects.