The village of River Hebert, N.S.,is putting up banners in the community in honour of local men and women who left home to serve their country.
Southwest of Amherst, River Hebert is home to around 500. But almost everyone in the small community has a relative who was a Canadian veteran.
Charlene Greer's father was a World War II veteran. He passed away 15 years ago.
“Dad would be so proud to be up on the banners and have all his friends and comrades up on the banners as well. I know he'd be especially proud,” says Greer.
Greer says her mother instilled the importance of remembering service and sacrifice in her children, who stepped up this year and co-ordinated the banners to be installed throughout the village.
“The banners and brackets were been paid for by family members to honour their fathers and brothers,” Greer says.
The banners have been put up in other Maritime communities to honour veterans. But it was the realization of just how many residents in this small village are relatives of vets, both past and present. There are over 30 faces up this year, with more planned for next.
Military sacrifice runs deep for Gloria Brownell. Her father was wounded in World War II. About 60 years later, her son was injured in Afghanistan.
“The inside of his leg was hit with an RPG and he had three of his men were killed there with him. He was injured,” Brownell says. “I'm very proud to have his picture on one of these banners. He's up the road here and my heart just swells up every time I look at it.”
The group believes Remembrance Day is about more than gathering at a cenotaph. They're hoping people take a moment and admire the faces of the veterans when they take a drive through River Hebert.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Laura Brown.
