Five Things To Know About The Field Of Crosses
Lest we forget, the more than 3,000 white crosses now on display along Memorial Drive aims to ensure that Calgarians remember the sacrifices of Southern Albertans in the fight for freedom. Now in its seventh year, the Field Of Crosses Memorial Project pays tribute to...
Calgary students lay 3,200 silk flowers to honour fallen soldiers
CALGARY — Students from Delta West Academy placed a silk flower on each of the 3,200 crosses at the “Field of Crosses” on Memorial Drive Thursday. The annual act helps the students appreciate the enormity of the sacrifices southern Alberta soldiers have made. Delta...
Calgary’s Field of Crosses Memorial Project returns to honour veteran
Volunteers in Calgary have spent days setting up 3,200 white crosses commemorating southern Albertan lives spent in the service of the nation. In it’s seventh year, more than 100 volunteers with the Field of Crosses Memorial Project finished erecting thousands of...
Generational respect for Southern Alberta’s veterans
For Laura Vanderkruk, organizing volunteers to set up the 3,200 memorial crosses on Memorial Drive to honour Southern Alberta’s veterans has become a way of keeping her family close. George Bittman, Vanderkruk’s father, was a navy veteran who helped organize the...
Volunteers put up field of crosses ahead of Remembrance Day
More than seven years ago, Murray McCann was driving through the mountains in Georgia before Memorial Day when he noticed a small cluster of crosses along the side of the road. Initially, McCann thought a collision had claimed three lives and someone had erected a...
Proud to share this special Sponsor Spotlight from Valour on the Green
To the anonymous donors who chose to give quietly in support of our Veteran community, thank you. Your generosity means more than you know. 🇨🇦
Visit their page to learn more about the individuals and organizations generously contributing to this year’s fundraising efforts.🇨🇦 Sponsor Spotlight 🇨🇦
Today, we want to take a moment to recognize something we don’t always speak to enough, the impact of our Anonymous Donors.
While planning the 2nd Annual Valour on the Green, two generous individuals chose to give quietly, without recognition, simply because they believe in supporting our Veteran community. Together, these two individuals sponsored two veteran teams, helping make their participation possible.
It takes a special kind of person to step forward in that way, to give not for acknowledgment, but out of genuine care, humility, and a belief in something bigger than themselves.
While their names may not be known, their impact is deeply felt.
Their generosity has helped create space for connection, camaraderie, and honour, while also helping raise vital funds to support Field of Crosses and Paws 4 Resiliency, two organizations committed to honoring the fallen and promoting healing for Veterans and their families.
To our Anonymous Donors, thank you for standing behind this mission. Your support, given quietly, continues to make a lasting difference. ❤️
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The Battle of the Atlantic is celebrated every year on the 1st Sunday of May.
The Battle of the Atlantic was the longest continuous military campaign of WW2, lasting from September 3 1939 to May 8 1945. It was a pivotal fight for control over Atlantic shipping routes. The Allies worked to keep vital supply lines open between North America and Europe, while German forces aimed to cut them off. Canada played a key role through its navy and air force.
At the war’s onset the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) was relatively modest, comprising only a few vessels and personnel. However, recognizing the importance of the Atlantic convoys, Canada embarked on a rapid expansion of its naval capabilities. By the end of the war, the RCN had grown to be the third largest navy in the world, with over 400 vessels and 100,000 personnel.
Canadian warships escorted convoys across the North Atlantic waters. These escorts gave protection against German U-boats aiming to disrupt the flow of troops and supplies for the allied war effort. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) also involved, conducting aerial patrols to detect and deter U-boats enhancing the effectiveness of naval escorts.
The Battle of the Atlantic was costly for all sides. The RCN lost 24 warships and approximately 2,000 officers and sailors, along with 752 members of the RCAF. The Canadian Merchant Navy also faced significant losses, with 58 ships sunk and 1,100 merchant mariners losing their lives.
Allied forces had substantial losses, with over 3,500 merchant vessels and 175 warships sunk, resulting in the loss of 36,200 naval personnel and 36,000 merchant mariners. On Kriegsmarine lost 783 U-boats with approximately 30,000 U-boat crew members losing their lives.
By the end of the war, Allied navies had escorted a total of 25,343 merchant ships across the Atlantic.
Canada’s contributions to the Battle of the Atlantic helped secure Allied control over crucial North Atlantic Sea routes. The dedication and sacrifices of Canadian personnel ensured the continuous flow of supplies vital for Allied operations in Europe. The victory in the Battle of the Atlantic was a defining chapter in Canada’s military history.
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As we continue celebrating National Volunteer Week, we wanted to share just a small sample of photos posted over the years featuring some of the incredible volunteers who help make Field of Crosses possible.
From working in the warehouse cleaning and preparing crosses, to installation, take down, and even coffee station duty at the Field, these dedicated individuals give their time, energy, and heart in so many ways.
Their efforts help ensure this powerful tribute continues to stand with the respect and care it deserves, honouring those who gave their today for our tomorrow.
To every volunteer past and present, thank you. Your impact is seen, felt, and deeply appreciated.
Want to see more? Take a look back through our photos here on social media. You’ll find many more galleries of these all stars hard at work behind the scenes and out at the Field.
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Starting today, April 19 to 25, we recognize Volunteer Week. This year’s theme, Ignite Volunteerism, shines a light on the power of civic participation, the importance of rebuilding volunteer networks, and the stories of those who give their time to make a difference.
At The Field of Crosses, the dedication of our volunteers is at the heart of everything we do. Without the help of so many incredible people, we would never be able to carry out the work that makes this tribute possible each year. From cross and site preparation, to installation and takedown, and everything in between, their time, effort, and care help ensure we continue to honour the fallen in a meaningful way.
We also love sharing photos of our amazing volunteers in action. Take a look back through our social media history to see many moments captured, from the warehouse to The Field, featuring these selfless individuals whose efforts help make it all possible.
To every volunteer who has stood with us past and present, thank you. Your commitment helps keep remembrance strong for future generations.
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𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐊𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐞𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐋
Age 21 – F/O (P) RCAF – 17/01/1945
𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐊𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩 𝐊
Age 24 – Sgt (N) RCAF – 29/05/1944
Merlin Leigh and Philip Keith were born in Southern Alberta, the sons of Henry and Mildrid Matkin of Leavitt, Alberta. The boys were active in sports; Merlin enjoyed basketball and baseball, while Philip enjoyed basketball and swimming. Both had completed their high school education in Cardston, Alberta and worked on the family farm. Merlin’s ambitions included commercial flying or diesel mechanics. Philip’s ambition was to study medicine, both enlisted in the Royal Canadian Air Force in Calgary, Alberta.
Philip was a navigator in the RCAF in active service, training with #12 Operational Training Unit and had not seen any action. He was tragically killed when he was run over by a taxi in London.
Sergeant Philip K Matkin died on May 29, 1944, at the age of 24. He is buried at the Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey, England.
Merlin received his wings as a pilot officer at Cardston, Alberta on October 13, 1943, and went overseas in January 1944. He was posted with the 514 Squadron Royal Air Force, stationed at RAF Waterbeach. Merlin was killed in action on a bombing run attacking a benzol plant at Wanne-Eickel, Germany.
Flying Officer Pilot Merlin L Matkin died on January 17, 1945, at the age of 21. He has no known grave, his name is inscribed on the Runnymede Memorial in Surrey, England.
The province of British Columbia honoured Sergeant Philip K Matkin by naming Mount Matkin for him, located on the continental divide in the Castle Rivier Valley, on the Alberta/British Columbia border.
It seems fitting that the memory of both brothers be honoured by the mountain's name.
Each November during the Eleven Days of Remembrance in Calgary, Alberta, the Field of Crosses commemorates Sergeant Philip K Matkin and Flying Officer Pilot Merlin L Matkin.
www.fieldofcrosses.com/
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