UNITY — The communities of Cut Knife and Macklin had town crews busy before the weather turned in order to honour soldiers prior to Remembrance Day.
Both communities are showing their appreciation with banners displaying soldiers who have ties to their communities. Even though both communities have had the banners for only a short period of time, the concept has been well received.
In Cut Knife, the Legion sent out information about the banners to families of veterans in January 2022. For the inception of the project, 17 families purchased the banners through the Legion. This year, 10 more banners were ordered.
In Macklin, town employee Alicia Putz, saw banners displayed in Watson.
“I just felt it was such an honourable way to showcase our veterans,” she says.
Families were responsible for the cost of the banner through the town. Response from the families was welcomed and have had a few new banners purchased each year since. The town currently has 38 banners with another one on the way.
The Unity Legion is hoping to also display banners along Main Street. Legion member Ken Dresser said there was an interest a few years back yet nothing came to fruition. Dresser has since reinitiated the idea when surrounding communities started displaying the banners. He said the banners are an ideal way to honour veterans.
“Families will have to be responsible for the cost of the banners and the town would help erect them each year.” Dresser adds.
Currently, Cut Knife and Macklin have the public works departments help with the hanging of the banners, which will hang for the entire month of November.
