An Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial fundraising campaign is being launched on July 12th to raise $1.5 million to create a special monument to honour the men and women of the Canadian Forces who gave of their lives while serving in Afghanistan. www.afghanistanmemorial.ca.

This memorial monument is not a government initiative. It will be created and funded by Canadians coast to coast, providing donations of any amount to honour our fallen soldiers – every penny will count. It will be located in Trenton, Ontario and unveiled in Spring 2012.

Set in a park like setting on the beautiful Bay of Quinte and close to the 8 Wing/Canadian Forces Base Trenton – Canada’s largest Air Force base, the Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial will be a fitting tribute not far from where Canadian repatriation ceremonies occur and at the beginning of our fallen soldiers’ journey along the Highway of Heroes. These motorcades see thousands of Canadians on many of Highway 401’s overpasses paying tribute to those killed in action, and their families. Sadly, 157 Canadian service members have fallen to date in this conflict.

Please join us for a special national ‘ground breaking’ event to launch this important initiative for all Canadians. Guests will include family members of fallen soldiers, representatives from the Canadian Army Veterans Association (C.A.V), the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 110, Professional Fire Fighters, Ontario Provincial Police and Emergency Response Services (E.M.S).

Media Launch Details:
When: Tuesday, July 12, 2011. 11am to 12pm (EST)
Where: Bain Park, Trenton
Highway 401, exit 526 South, turn left onto Hamilton Rd/County Rd 22, turn right onto R.C.A.F Rd/County Rd 21 and follow to Highway 2 and entrance to Bain Park straight ahead.
Media Contact: Meredith Bowers, Economic Development and Community Coordinator, City of Quinte West, meredithb@quintewest.ca
613-392-2841 Ext 4416 or 613-921-7904.

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About Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial – www.afghanistanmemorial.ca.
The Afghanistan Repatriation Memorial campaign is a national initiative created by Canadians to raise $1.5 million to build a permanent monument to honour the members of the Canadian Forces killed while serving in Afghanistan. The monument will be located near Canada’s largest Air Force Base in Trenton, Ontario where every Canadian fallen solider is repatriated.