A veteran who helped develop of proposal for a Remembrance crosswalk in Cambridge is urging local Royal Canadian Legions to move forward with the project. Canadian Forces Veteran Patrick Wouri penned an open letter to each of the legions in the city, urging them to not “turn its back” on the memorial crosswalk. Wouri’s letter said he worked with city councillor Adam Cooper for more than a year to create a plan for a crosswalk. The idea presented to council proposed the upkeep and ongoing maintenance costs of the crosswalk would be covered by private donations. President of the Preston legion Joe Gowing said he was initially in favour of the idea, but, after speaking with legion members, decided not to support the idea. “I went through inspections and listening to other branch’s stories about the crosswalks and the challenges that came with those – whether that be funding, approvals,” Gowing said. While some legion members have also supported the idea, others believe a crosswalk is not the best way to commemorate veterans. Wouri believes many of the concerns raised by the legions can be answered. “The proposed crosswalks would not use the image of the Poppy and that was never included in the original design or the proposal. The Royal Canadian Legion’s National Commemorative Crosswalk Initiative provides communities with an approved alternative design specifically because the Poppy should not be placed where it can be walked or driven upon,” Wouri’s letter said. “The National Legion is not opposed to Commemorative Crosswalks, in fact, it provides communities with templates and instructions for creating them,” he added. The city has not yet made a decision about the project, however it is unlikely it will be decided before the Oct. 26 election. “This is about veterans commemorating the sacrifice. All i know is that we just keep the dialogue open,” Cooper said.
