Issue date: 11/10/09 Section: Arts and Culture

Queen's Park War Memorial monuments unveiled in 2006 Photo: Suzannah Moore

"One by one they left behind the fields of innocence and stepped into the darkness of experience." This eloquent quotation by the well respected Canadian author, Jane Urquhart, is inscribed in the middle of the Veterans' Memorial Wall in Queen's Park. This quotation is some of the only writing found on the wall. The rest of the monument is covered with powerful images of soldiers marching or in battle.

The memorial commemorates the sacrifices of Canada's veterans during times of war and peace. "Our veterans represent the very best of Canada" said Premier McGuinty at the first Remembrance Day ceremony in front of the monument in 2006. "While our debt to them can fully be repaid, we express our everlasting gratitude to those whose sacrifice forged the peace and freedom we enjoy today."

Developing the Memorial Wall was an extensive process, a lot of artistic thought and energy went into its design. When the project was first spearheaded in December 2004, there was a competition between ten professional artists and ten landscape architects to create a design idea for the wall. The competition was implemented to advance the level of enthusiasm and adequacy on the project. The winning artist was Allan Harding MacKay, who has exhibited both nationally and internationally. The winning landscape architect was Phillips Farevaag Smallenberg, who has been involved in a number of Ontario-based, high profile commemoration projects including the re-dedicated Victoria Tower Bell on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

The long and slender edifice is stunning. Despite its content, the wall does not have a dark, ominous feel. Instead, it is sleek and subtle. From a distance it blends in with the landscape. Up close, the images are subdued but very powerful. They are all black and white pictures; they appear antiquated. The fact that the monument consists of mainly pictures is also a notable characteristic of the Veterans' Memorial Wall. No matter how old the viewer, and no matter what language they speak, they can be moved by the monument's messages.

The monument is found steps away from the Victoria campus. Take a walk to break from homework, or perhaps to help digest a heavy Burwash meal. Take in the last of the beautiful foliage while moseying over to this subtle yet powerful epitaph outside the Ontario Legislature building. Take a moment to reflect on the images. It is a good way to remember how undoubtedly fortunate we are to lead such peaceful lives.

There will be a public ceremony held in front of the memorial on 11 November, 2009.

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