By Linda HarringtonSeveral months ago The De-

bert Military Museum Board ofDirectors heard there was Fed-eral funding available to supportprojects to help celebrateCanada’s 150th birthday. Aftermuch discussion the Board ofDirectors decided it would benice to have a monument inrecognition to all those whoserved in Camp Debert.

Built in 1936-1940, Debertwas a staging area for an esti-mated 300,000 soldiers beingshipped overseas to fight forour freedom in World War II.The former CFS Debert was de-commissioned and closed in1996.

As part of Canada’s celebra-tions, the Federal Governmentmade funds available under theCanada 150 Community Infra-structure Program. This pro-gram provided 50% of thefunding towards the $8000Camp Debert Monument proj-ect with the remainder of thefunds coming from businesses,individuals and fundraising.

The project completion wasawarded to Nelson’s Monu-ments, of Amherst NS, who did

a wonderful job on this project. The Debert Military Museum

held a Monument UnveilingCeremony on Saturday, August19th with His Honour, The Hon-ourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, ONS,QC Lt Gov NS and Her HonourMrs. Patsy LeBlanc graciously ac-cepting an invitation to attendthe Ceremony.

The Royal Canadian LegionDebert Branch 106 Colour Partylead invited guests to the plat-form.

Laurel Singer opened theCeremony with the singing ofour National Anthem. Guest

speakers included Her WorshipChristine Blair, Mayor of Colch-ester County; Mr. Bill Casey, MPCumberland Colchester; The Ho-nourable Karen Casey, MLAColchester North and His Hon-our, The Honourable Arthur J.LeBlanc, ONS, QC Lt Gov NS andHer Honour Mrs. Patsy LeBlanc.

Other distinguished guestsin attendance were Mr. and Mrs.Tom Reid, whose son Christo-pher was killed in Afghanistan,Commanding Officer of theNova Scotia Highlanders LColColin Todd and Malcolm Zinck,Honorary Regimental SergeantMajor for the Princess LouiseFusiliers, these two units both

served at Camp Debert duringWWII. Members of the DebertFire Brigade were also in atten-dance.

It was fitting that two WorldWar II veterans from the Debertarea Mr. Gordon McCully andMr. Eddie Murphy were in thecrowd for the unveiling of themonument.

Mr. Michael Taylor, Presidentof the Museum spoke on howpleased he was with the Cere-monies how nice the monu-ment turned out. He also spoke

on behalf of the Board Memberson how pleased and honouredthey were that Their Honours,other dignitaries and all thecommunity members whocame out to share in this specialday.

The beautiful new monu-ment was unveiled by His Hon-our, The Honourable Arthur J.LeBlanc, ONS, QC Lt Gov NS, Mr.Bill Casey, MP Cumberland

Colchester and Michael Taylor,President of the Debert MilitaryMuseum.

His Honour, The HonourableArthur J. LeBlanc, ONS, QC LtGov NS and Her Honour Mrs.Patsy LeBlanc spent some timefollowing the Ceremony greet-ing those in attendance and hada tour of the museum.

Guests were invited into theMuseum for light refreshments.

THE SHORELINE JOURNAL - SEPTEMBER, 2017 - PAGE 3

Masstown Greco ExpressPhone 902-641-2340

Masstown Greco ExpressPhone 902-641-2340

QUALITY BUILT MINI BARNS

Siding&Roofing

Debert Military Museum Unveils Camp Debert Monument on Saturday, August 19TH

(Harrington Photos)

The Debert Military Museum Board Members and Summer Students. Left to right: Susan Taylor,Michael Taylor, Her Honour Mrs. Patsy LeBlanc, His Honour, The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, ONS,

QC Lt Gov NS, Bill Leeming, Robert Feeley, Irene Gratto, Gail Hines, Laurel Singer, Beth Murray.

The Debert Legion Colour Party (left to right)- Earl Harvey, BillWood, Dave Stewart, Dave MacPhee, Jim Adshade, Eugene

Adshade, Robert Collins, Harold Barclay, and Ron Eastcott.

His Honour, The Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, ONS, QC Lt GovNS, Michael Taylor President Debert Military Museum and Bill

Casey Member of Parliament Cumberland/Colchester unveil thenew Monument.

Michael Taylor President Debert Military Museum discussesdetails of how the monument was designed with His Honour, TheHonourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, ONS, QC Lt Gov NS, and Bill Casey

Member of Parliament Cumberland/Colchester.

Tina Gratto and Kurt Gratto, of Masstown Pro Hardware whomade a sizable donation to the Monument Fund, pose for a photo

with Her Honour Mrs. Patsy LeBlanc and His Honour, TheHonourable Arthur J. LeBlanc, ONS, QC Lt Gov NS.

Lt Col Colin Todd is greeted by His Honour, The HonourableArthur J. LeBlanc, ONS, QC Lt Gov NS as Aid de Camp Hurlburt

and Dave MacPhee look on.

Eddie Murphy (WWII Veteran)is greeted by Her Honour Mrs.

Patsy LeBlanc as Bill Casey,MP Cumberland/Colchester

looks on.

His Honour, The HonourableArthur J. LeBlanc, ONS, QC Lt

Gov NS shakes hands withGordon McCully (WWII

Veteran).

Her Honour Mrs. PatsyLeBlanc chats with localstudent Andrew Totten.

Tom & Angela Reid aregreeted by His Honour, The

Honourable Arthur J. LeBlanc,ONS, QC Lt Gov NS. Tom andAngela’s son Cpl ChristopherReid C.D., M.I.D. was killed inaction on Aug. 3, 2006 when

his armoured vehicle wasstruck by a roadside bomb

near Kandahar.