If you plan to visit Calgary in the next week, be sure to visit that city's Memorial Drive, which has a moving display that honours men and women who have fallen in combat.
Over 3,500 crosses stand as silent reminders along five acres of Calgary’s Memorial Drive each November, as part of the Field of Crosses Memorial Project. The crosses are a visual representation honouring the southern Albertan service personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
From Nov. 1 to 10, Calgarians and guests are invited to visit the memorial and participate in daily sunrise and sunset ceremonies and a special Night of Lights tribute ceremony on the evening of Nov. 10. The memorial concludes with a Remembrance Day service on Nov. 11.
The Field of Crosses is open to the public 24/7 and free of charge for those who wish to walk among the crosses to pay their respects. A digital pamphlet is also available to support the self-guided tour, outlining more about Field of Crosses, the fallen service personnel honoured in the field and Canada’s military history.
Founded in 2009 by Calgary businessman and philanthropist, Murray McCann, Field of Crosses individually recognizes the thousands of southern Albertans who paid the ultimate sacrifice defending Canada’s freedoms. In addition, the memorial also recognizes the 120,000 heroes from across Canada who gave their lives with 120 unique crosses within the park.
“The Field of Crosses stands as a profound reminder of the sacrifices made by southern Albertan service personnel. As we gather each year at the field, we not only honour those who gave their lives for our freedoms, but we also reflect on the importance of remembrance,” said Sean Libin, chairman of Field of Crosses.
“Every cross represents a story of bravery and loss, and it is our duty to ensure that these stories are never forgotten. This memorial allows us to stand together in gratitude, knowing that the peace we enjoy today was built on their sacrifices.”
School choirs, military personnel, buglers, pipers, Memorial Cross Families and many other special groups participate in the Eleven Days of Remembrance ceremonies. The public is encouraged to attend the daily ceremonies that will feature the following daily tribute themes:
- Friday, November 1: Royal Canadian Air Force Day
- Saturday, November 2: Youth Day
- Sunday, November 3: Memorial Cross Families Day
- Monday, November 4: Royal Canadian Navy Day
- Tuesday, November 5: Canadian Army Day
- Wednesday, November 6: Honouring Women of War (sunrise) / Honouring Jewish Fallen (sunset)
- Thursday, November 7: First Responders Day
- Friday, November 8: Indigenous Veterans Day
- Saturday, November 9: US Tribute Day (sunrise) / Animals in War (sunset)
- Sunday, November 10: UN Peacekeepers Day (sunrise) / Night of Lights (sunset)
- Saturday, November 11: Remembrance Day Ceremony
Field of Crosses is a registered charity and relies on the generosity of our community to bring this touching installation to life each year. The memorial display is made possible through the dedication, passion and hard work of Veterans and hundreds of volunteers.
To ensure the memorial lives on for generations to come, Field of Crosses encourages Calgarians to donate to the Adopt-a-Cross fundraising campaign. Additionally, for those interested in giving their time, volunteer opportunities are available as early as September each year as preparation for the memorial begins.
For the full schedule of events at Field of Crosses and to learn more about how to adopt a cross, visit www.fieldofcrosses.com
