Self-guided tour for the edukit Neighbourhood History Walk: Civic Plaza

Note: This walk will have participants explore memorials in the neighbourhood around Civic Plaza, located near The Reach Gallery Museum at 32388 Veterans Way. We encourage participants to use Google Maps or another map app on their phones when necessary to help find the locations. The tour starts at the Abbotsford (pictured below) which is on the south side of Thunderbird Memorial Square.

1. ABBOTSFORD CENOTAPH Located in Thunderbird Memorial Square on Veterans Way.

What does this memorial help us remember? A cenotaph is a monument commemorating someone buried elsewhere. Today, the Abbotsford Cenotaph remembers people from Abbotsford who lost their lives while fighting in (1914-1918), World War II (1939-1945), the Korean War (1950-1953), the Afghanistan War (2001-present, although Canadian involvement ended in 2011), as well as the service personnel who died while training in Abbotsford. How has this memorial changed over the years? The monument itself wasn’t always in its current location. The movement of the Abbotsford Cenotaph tells a story of how the “centre” of community business and government has moved over the years. In 1922, Abbotsford’s cenotaph was a flagpole located at Five Corners by Abbotsford’s branch of the Great War Veterans Association and was built to commemorate soldiers who lost their lives in World War I (or, as it was referred to at the time: the Great War). In 1929, the stone Abbotsford Cenotaph (part of the one you see today) was installed in Jubilee Park. In 1950, the Abbotsford Cenotaph (now commemorating soldiers who died in WWI and WWII) was moved from Jubilee Park to the Provincial Courthouse on Laurel Street near the intersection with Montrose Avenue. In 2006, the Abbotsford Cenotaph was moved to Thunderbird Memorial Square. The low stone wall you see on either side of the memorial is now part of the memorial itself, and is meant to recognize the service of Abbotsford’s Police and Fire Rescue Service workers.

Did you know? The Maltese cross at the top of was designed by local World War II veteran Cyril Holbrow to echo the shape of the base of the original WWI cenotaph. Local craftsman, Harry Tarasenko created the stone cross. The cross you see today is actually a replica, as the original cross was stolen.

Figure 1 (left). While this picture of the cenotaph is the same stone monument that you can see in Civic Plaza today, this image of the cenotaph was taken in 1930, when the cenotaph was located at Jubilee Park. In this picture, you can see students surrounding the cenotaph, and wreaths placed at its base. Compare this picture of the cenotaph to the cenotaph today. Notice how the old cenotaph has an electric light on its top instead of a cross. The Reach P3516.

Walking instructions: Walk across Thunderbird Memorial Square to its north side.

2. AIR WING MEMORIAL Located in Thunderbird Memorial Square on Veterans Way.

What does this memorial help us remember? The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) had an important role in Abbotsford’s history. In 1942, the RCAF constructed the Abbotsford Airport as base for training pilots and defense of the West Coast against the potential invasion of Japanese Axis forces during World War II.

The Air Wing Memorial was unveiled on September 15, 1996, in memory of Canadians who lost their lives during World War II and in later conflicts, as well as the service of members of 861 Wing Air Force Association based in Abbotsford.

The Air Wing Memorial is now used as a site to commemorate the World War II air fight known as the Battle of Britain with a parade and laying of wreaths. The Battle of Britain, which lasted from July 10-October 31, 1940 and is considered the largest air fight to-date. Canada’s role in the Battle of Britain, although not large, reflects a national commitment to collective defence of the Allies in the face of unwarranted aggression.

Figure 2 (left). Abbotsford Airport during World War II. Photo courtesy of Michael DesMazes.

Walking instructions: Walk north of the Air Wing Memorial toward the Clearbrook Library building.

3. UNITY STATUE Located near Thunderbird Memorial Square on the lawn in front of the Clearbrook Library building.

What does this memorial help us remember? The name “Unity Statue” was chosen to express community and togetherness, symbolizing the strength of a community that stands together and watches out for one another. The creation of the Unity Statue was motivated by a violent act against two Abbotsford teen girls in which one lost her life. The statue was a project of the Abbotsford Arts Council and initiated in 1997 by five teens who wanted to convey peace, hope, unity, freedom and the future. The statue shows a girl and boy standing together; the girl releases a bird in one hand while the boy releases a flame. The statue was made by local artists, Norm Williams and Dean Lauzé and installed on the lawn in 2001.

Walking instructions: Walk to the right side of Clearbrook Library until you reach the International Friendship Garden located behind the library through the gated fence. The Golden Tree is located at the centre of the garden.

4. THE GOLDEN TREE

Located in the International Friendship Garden, at 32320 George Ferguson Way.

What does this memorial help us remember? The Golden Tree commemorates the lives of Amarjit Kaur Bal, Sukhvinder Kaur Punia, and Sarbjit Kaur Sidhu, who were farmworkers, wives, and mothers. They were killed in an accident that occurred when they were being transported to work in an unsafe van on March 7, 2007. The 22-foot tall Golden Tree is anchored by strong, thick roots. Its golden branches pay tribute to the three phases of a woman’s life: maiden, mother, and matriarch, and translucent leaves capture the sun’s light. The Golden Tree was created by local artists, Dean and Christina Lauzé and unveiled on October 3, 2015. Did you know? The Golden Tree is located in the International Friendship Garden, a project initiated by the City of Abbotsford’s sister city, Fukagawa, in Japan, to celebrate the relationship between the two cities and promote cultural diversity in Abbotsford.