A Tribute Video to Animals in War www.aiwdedication.ca Project History proposed commemorations While attending a Canadian Army Veterinary Remembrance Day service Corps during the First World that would enrich the core at the site of the National War, relating the difficulty in area of Canada’s Capital War Monument in the fall of trying to calm the animals as Region. 2009, Lloyd recalled a large they suffered the trauma of A few days later Lloyd painting that hung on his high war: “Their eyes expressed presented his idea to the school wall. It depicted a nothing but absolute fear.” NCC Committee. He wanted horrific scene on the During the Remembrance to impress that creating a battlefield during World War Day service in the fall of Laureen Harper dedication to our war Honourary Patron 1. Horses and mules, 2009, Lloyd mentioned to the animals, we would be saying submerged in mud, straining gentleman at his side that thanks to war heroes that in their harnesses with their many nations have contributed significantly to human comrades with their recognized the importance of Canada’s triumphs in military shoulders to the wheel, as honouring their war animals history. The National Capital they struggle to free artillery with Memorials and that it Commission was very gun carriages. was time for Canada to do supportive of the idea. the same. That gentleman Lloyd knew first-hand of what happened to be Peter Shortly thereafter, an article war animals went through. Stoffer, MP for Sackville, written by Kelly Egan for The Gold Level Stories passed along through Eastern Shore, who was in Ottawa Citizen attracted a family: complete agreement. He small group of volunteers to “On a personal note, I mentioned that the National the project, early in 2010. recalled my father-in-law who Capital Commission was The idea has slowly come served with the Royal conducting hearings for together and is fast becoming a reality. History of War Animals by Lloyd Swick At the high school I attended remained in my mind Imagine the anguish felt by in Winnipeg, there was a throughout all these years. It the gunner, being forced to large World War I depiction, has served as an inspiration shoot his companion with a painting that hung on the for the design of the War whom he shared the walls. One image was etched Animals Dedication Project. hardships of war; a indelibly into my mind: teams companion with whom he An artist, Fortunion Matania, ______________ of horses and mules, eyes had developed a close bond had been sent to Menin, inflamed with fear, straining of friendship, trust, loyalty Belgium to capture the on their harness as they and and admiration. I had read meaning of war. This their human comrades, with one account of war, where portrayal was the result. their shoulder to the wheel, an entire battery, about 150 Aptly entitled “Goodbye Old struggled to free supply strong, filed by and kissed Friend,” it showed a gunner wagons stuck in shell holes their dying horse. Obviously knelt down, holding the head full of mud. the horse must have been of his horse in his lap, loved and served the War Animal Monument There was another painting bidding his comrade farewell. battery faithfully over the Video that hung on that high school The horse is mortally ___________________ years. wall which was stunning in wounded and awaits death. the emotion it evoked – it Animals in War Page 2 of 21 Animals in War Dedication Unveiled in Confederation Park, Ottawa, Ontario November 3rd, 2012 member Dr. Susan Dowler Presenting Sponsor Dr. Peter The overcast skies and thanked the sponsors and all Chung unveiled the life-size November chill did not Canadians who worked sculpture of the medical dampen the spirits and together to make the service dog. Dedication a reality. anticipation as the Central The ceremony closed with Band of the Canadian Armed The audience was very the Royal Anthem and the Forces band began to play appreciative of the release of, appropriately, fifty Animals in War Video O’Canada. Invited guests presentations made by three homing pigeons – and a capacity crowd looked young Canadians. Richard messenger pigeons were a on and applauded as RCMP Barrie (Glashan High vital component of good Corporal Luc Patenaude and School), Anne Fergusson communications on the his police dog Cujo led the (War Amps), and Andrew battlefield. procession of officials to their Garbutt (742 National Capital seats. Two RCMP riders and It was a very special day for Squadron, Royal Canadian the Animals in War horses stood at attention just Air Cadets) each spoke Committee and for Canada. behind the Dedication. about the war dog, the We should all be very proud to finally have a national Those in attendance included canary’s job during wartime, and about Sgt. Reckless, a Dedication honouring our war Mr. Royal Galipeau, Member animals. We hope that you little Korean mare who won of Parliament for Ottawa– will take the time to visit Orléans and representative many awards for bravery. Confederation Park, learn more about war animals: for the Honourable Steven After Jim Watson, Mayor of their brave deeds, their Blaney, Minister of Veterans Ottawa, issued a Affairs, Senator Yonah sacrifice and the very special Proclamation, naming bond they shared with the Martin, Mrs. Laureen Harper, November 3, 2012 War soldiers who served Honorary Patron of the Animals Day, the Dedication alongside them. Animals in War Dedication was unveiled. Honourary Project, Brigadier-General patron Laureen Harper, Lloyd M.K. Overton, Assistant Swick, along with Richard Chief of Military Personnel of Barrie, Anne Fergusson, and the Canadian Armed Forces, Andrew Garbutt, unveiled the and Mr. Russell Mills, Chair first of three plaques. Messrs of the National Capital Royal Galipeau and Russell Commission. Mills, along with Brig. Animals in War Dedication General Overton unveiled the founder, Lloyd Swick, made second plaque. The Animals his opening remarks, in War Dedication Committee followed by Presenting unveiled the third plaque. Drs. Stephanie and Peter Chung Sponsor Dr. Peter Chung Senator Yonah Martin, Dr. pose with Dedication war dog and (Eminata Group). Committee Stephanie Chung, and his creator, David Clendining. RCMP Officer & Working Dog Cujo War and Peacetime Throughout history, in war and in peacetime, animals and mankind have worked alongside each other. As beasts of burden, messengers, protectors, mascots, and friends, the war animals have demonstrated true valour and an enduring partnership with humans. The bond is unbreakable, their Bronze Level Sponsor sacrifice great – we honour the animals of war. Bronze Level Sponsor Page 3 of 21 Animals in War Location The Animals in War Dedication will be placed near the Boer War Description Monument in Confederation Park, Ottawa, Canada. The Animals in War Canada won its first battle on foreign land and under British Dedication is a series of command. Canada supplied 50,000 horses and the mounted troops highly detailed 2-inch, bas for the Boer war. Regiments that fought in the Boer war are relief plaques depicting perpetuated in today’s regiments, namely The Royal Canadian many species of animals in Armoured Corps, and the Royal Canadian Horse Artillery. war, around the world. At the base of these plaques are descriptions of the images. These descriptions, produced in both official languages, will provide the Site plan for the Animals in viewer with interesting facts War Dedication and figures about the various animals in war, their sacrifice, and above all, the unswerving dedication these animals gave to their human comrades. Bas Relief Plaque #2 Video: Time Machine Pigeons deliver mail safely. Canada’s Animals in War Tribute Monument Video Produced in Partnership with Navigator Communications and The Canadian Foundation for Animal Assisted Support Services About Us Lloyd Swick Remembering Animals and Humans in War Lloyd Swick’s military and public service career spans more than 44 years. He served as a platoon commander with the Calgary Highlanders in the liberation of Holland during WWII. Post war he attended the University of Manitoba and earned a BSc degree. He rejoined the military to serve with the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry Regiment in Korea. He also undertook United Nations’ Observer duties in India and Pakistan. An author as well, Lloyd collected, wrote, and published the stories of servicemen who, after WWII, exchanged their military bonds for those of a unique veteran community at the University of Manitoba. In Stories from Veterans Village these men and women describe furthering their educations, training for careers and starting young families in their new postwar lives. Lloyd continues his involvement with veterans and seniors in many care facilities including the Perley and Rideau Veterans’ Health Centre in Ottawa. He plays the keyboards and entertains residents, leading regular sing-alongs and on special occasions. Lloyd has devoted many years to speaking to children in schools about the significance of Remembrance Day and the very important role war animals have played throughout history. Animals in War Page 4 of 21 David Clendining David Clendining is, and has always been, an artist. As a young boy in Calgary Alberta, David was awarded top prizes in the Calgary Stampede’s Student in the Arts Competitions. In his early teenage years, he and his family moved to Toronto where David became involved in theatre arts where he designed and helped build sets for several theatrical companies. During his late teens to early twenties David worked as an illustrator and had several art shows of his painting and sculptural works in several well-known Toronto galleries. In the mid 1970’s David attended Ontario College of Art (OCA) where he studied commercial art, illustration and bronze sculpture and casting.