Five soldiers who lost their lives during the Afghanistan conflict have been honoured with individual plaques at the regional library in Truro, N.S.
Warrant Officer Michael McNeil, Warrant Officer Frank Mellish, Sgt. Darcy Tedford, Cpl. Thomas Hamilton and Cpl. Christopher Reid will now forever be remembered.
Their family members say they are moved to have the men remembered in this way.
"We carry it in our heart forever,” said Sandy Mellish, mother of WO Frank Mellish. “It's every waking moment. We wake up, they’re on our mind. We go to bed, they're on our mind."
All of the soldiers were from Colchester County. Families are hopeful the plaques encourage people to ask more questions and learn about Afghanistan.
"This is a place of knowledge,” said Angela Reid, mother of Cpl. Christopher Reid. “I'm very pleased that they permitted the plaques to be put here."
The plaques were donated to the families of the fallen soldiers by the Canadian Pacific Railway.
"It makes me very proud,” said Mellish. “I'm proud of what he’s done for the service.”
Former RCMP officer Barry Mellish says he was fortunate to have served with his son during a peace keeping mission in former Yugoslavia.
"Having done that, I got a better understanding of what our Canadian soldiers do and how proud I am now of all of them,” said Barry Mellish, father of WO Frank Mellish. “When asked, they go and they're willing to lay down their lives to help others."
Family members say for many, every day is Remembrance Day.
“But we remember the boy, the man who became the father,” said Sandy Mellish. “But the country remembers the soldier and I'm so grateful that they do."
"We just walk through life as best we can every day,” said Reid “We're very extremely proud of our son."
Anyone wishing to visit the memorial can find the remembrance plaques on the second floor of the Colchester-East Hants Public Library.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Suzette Belliveau.
