Unmarked veteran graves to receive headstones with research from the Last Post Fund
A ceremony Friday to honour local veterans in unmarked graves took place at Calgary Union Cemetery.
Research from volunteers over the winter months has discovered an additional 140 unmarked veteran graves in Alberta.
The mission of the Last Post Fund is to ensure that no veteran is denied a dignified funeral and burial, as well as a military gravestone, due to insufficient funds at time of death.
“This event is to recognize the hard work done by volunteers,” said Glenn Miller, Alberta Last Post Fund.
Last Post Fund
Miller volunteers his time to research and notify family when discoveries are made.
“As a veteran myself, I’ve always been guided by the philosophy of three simple words, lest we forget,” said Miller.
Yvonne Sugimoto, a volunteer with the Last Post Fund, has been searching for unmarked graves for over ten years.
“These people gave everything for us,” said Sugimoto, “Most of the graves that I find, don’t have family in the area and that is likely why their graves are unmarked.”
Sugimoto is very thankful for what these veterans did for us and is happy to give her time.
“I grieve a little for them, because so many of them died under tragic circumstances, absolutely horrible circumstances and they had no one,” said Sugimoto.
The Last Post Fund honours veterans
Veterans Affairs Canada pays for the markers once approved and they estimate that there could be two to three thousand unmarked graves in Canada.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Vancouver firefighter in rehab at home after losing leg to flesh-eating infection overseas
A family trip took a frightening turn for Christopher Won when he was diagnosed with flesh-eating disease while in Hong Kong and now, after weeks of treatment overseas, the Vancouver firefighter is back home recovering.