'We have to remember them': Yorkton Legion helping to put faces to graves of Canadian soldiers overseas
The Yorkton Legion is working with an organization in the Netherlands to put a photo next to every tombstone in the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.
Else Schaberg, who is on the member board and research team for Faces To Graves, reached out to the local legion looking for details on Pte. Herbert Federick Painter.
Painter is one of the 2,300 Canadian World War II soldiers buried in the cemetery.
(Supplied: Else Schaberg)
(Supplied: Else Schaberg)
"It really is great to have someone actually looking in to it, doing the research, showing that they care, and then reaching out to us overseas to help," said Brittany Johnson, vice president of the Yorkton Legion.
The organization has collected 1,500 pictures for the graves so far.
"It's a huge undertaking but that just goes to show you the gratification that the Dutch people have for their soldiers," added Johnson.
The program is a lot of work for the small group of volunteers in Holland, and it takes a wide web of connections.
"We have more contacts in Canada and this way we try to look everywhere for photographs," said Schaberg from the Netherlands.
She added it is important to put a face to these names and so their stories live on.
"We can pay tribute to these heroes because to us they are still heroes,” Schaberg explained. “They gave their lives for our freedom, so we have to remember them."
Johnson was thrilled to lend a hand where she could, and was touched by the thanks and care the Dutch have towards the fallen soldiers.
"As a Canadian it really makes you feel comforted that all of our heroes are taken such good care of over there."
She said seeing the video Faces to Graves put together highlighted the serenity of where our soldiers were laid to rest and the venture has inspired her to do more research on our veterans.
"I have grand plans for our cemetery one day and I’d like to see it in action and they're just a huge inspiration for me."
The organization has identified a total of five soldiers buried in the cemetery who are from Yorkton, in addition to Painter there is Walter Robert Middlemiss, Charles Thomas Brown, Theodore Adam Grygar and Ralph Henry George Bartlett.
While these men have been identified, the organization said there is a chance there are more. Schaberg said people can contact Faces to Graves if they have information about a soldier buried at the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.