Memorial South Park and other places of remembrance

Old Wilson Road

With November 11 just a few days away, it seemed appropriate to check out Vancouver's first cenotaph. Originally located at South Vancouver Municipal Hall, the cenotaph was moved to its present location in Memorial Park in 1939. The park's history precedes the area's amalgamation with Vancouver in 1929. It was originally farmland that the South Vancouver municipality appropriated and opened in 1926 as a park in honour of those who perished in World War I. The park became a popular spot for sport and picnics and whippet dog racing. Today this 13.59 hectare area is also largely used for sports. It has an accessible pathway and many open grass fields. The washrooms are not accessible. There is a soft fabric running/walking/rolling track for exercise, an accessible artificial turf field, and a ball hockey rink that would be a great spot to use the city's newly acquired sledge boards. These sledge boards are like the ones used in Paralympic hockey can be used in an arena with ice or outfitted with wheels for paved area play. For details on sledges and the park check out www.vancouver.ca/parks.  There are many benches but the children's play area poses many barriers. The neighborhood has great signage and way finding and is serviced by numerous transit routes.

Accessible picnic tables
and coal barbeques near the duck pond

Duck pond

There is limited parking so take transit http://www.translink.ca/

The cenotaph itself is very humble and frequently used as a turnaround along Old Wilson Road. Enter off the 5900 block of East 41 Ave.

No wheelchair access

I set off to some of the other Metro Vancouver Area war memorials. The custom of war memorials is as old as war itself and most memorials have cenotaphs. The word cenotaph is Greek in origin meaning "kenos taphos" or empty tomb. Although we honour the dead, I think it's important to honour those who lives have been changed forever by returning from battle with a disability. In today's world helicopters, modern medicine, and other life saving technology increase the likelihood of sustaining a life altering trauma rather than being killed in combat. Many of the rights and freedoms Canadians enjoy today were made possible by the advocacy activities of returning war vets with disabilities. Cold comfort but true.

 Tribute to fallen Chinese Canadians

This tribute to fallen Chinese Canadian soldiers can be found across from the Columbia St exit of the Dr Sun Yat Sen Gardens (see post "Vancouver's Downtown Eastside Parks: calm in the eye of the storm").

Vancouver's main cenotaph can be found neaby in Victory Square at 200 West Hastings St. The site was used to recruit soldiers for World War I in 1914. When these soldiers returned home from the war they used this location to speak out against conditions in the trenches.  It was opened as Victory Square in 1922 and the cenotaph was added in 1924. Victory Park was extensively renovated in 2004 and is used as a gathering place in the Downtown Eastside all year long. Sadly the renovations did nothing to improve the inaccessible washrooms, but there are paved pathways and plenty of seating. For more info on this park go to the Parks Board link. While you're there be sure to see the list of Remembrance Day ceremonies taking place in Vancouver this week.
 

Serves as a public green space

Erected in 1924

Outside Waterfront Station

Korean War Monument thanking Canadians
can be found in Burnaby's Central Park

 Japanese Memorial Stanley Park

Japanese Garden commemorates
 Hastings Park's history as an internment camp

This Stanley Park monument honouring Japanese Canadians, who suffered high casuality rates in World War I, was erected in 1920. But on January 14, 1942 the War Measures Act was invoked and Japanese Canadians were considered the enemy so the light of the monument was extinguished. The monument was relit in 1985 by Masumi Mitsui, a decorated veteran from the infamous battle for Vimy Ridge. In 1942 Masumi had thrown his medal in disgust at the internment intake officer when he and his friends and family were taken into custody. He was 96 at the relighting. 

We owe it to our future to remember

"The soldier above all others prays for peace,

for it is the soldier who must suffer and bear

the deepest wounds and scars of war."

                                          Douglas MacArthur

This week, take time to remember this week. If you are among the men and women who serve or have served please accept my humble thanks. Until next time.