Soldier killed in Afghanistan honoured at the Field of Crosses
There was another moment of reflection at the field of crosses Monday morning. A special sunrise ceremony was dedicated to Nichola Goddard, a soldier killed in Afghanistan in 2006. The bitter cold didn’t stop a large crowd from gathering, and standing stoically among...
Inspired to honour the contributions of fallen veterans
One man’s vision for an empty patch of green space along Memorial Drive N.W. has resulted in a one-of-a-kind tribute to the sacrifices of Canadian soldiers. Since 2008, a field of approximately 3,100 crosses appears each year in the weeks prior to Remembrance Day in a...
We have even more reason to remember this November 1
For as long as he can remember, Murray McCann has faithfully worn his red poppy pin throughout much of November. It wasn’t until a 2008 trip to the southern United States, though, that he realized he could be doing a lot more. Driving through Menlo, Ga., a town of...
Installation Of White Crosses Along Memorial Drive Is Underway.
The annual installation of white crosses along Memorial Drive is underway. Every year volunteers put about three thousand crosses along the road near Centre Street. The crosses represent Alberta soldiers killed in war time or during peacekeeping duties. Each cross has...
Annual Field of Crosses along Calgary’s Memorial Drive returns to honour fallen veterans
It’s been a somber work-in-progress honouring war’s sacrifice its founder hopes will grow no more. For the fifth year crosses, each denoting one of the 3,000 southern Albertans who lost their lives in Canada’s conflicts and peacekeeping, have been planted on the north...
This past weekend, our amazing volunteers came together to install over 3,600 crosses along Memorial Drive. The effort and dedication that go into creating this display each year are truly remarkable.
From meticulously aligning each row of crosses and setting up signage to placing information cards that honour some of these individual heroes, every detail is carefully attended to. Our amazing team even makes sure everyone’s fueled up, serving a well-earned hot lunch to those hard at work in the field all morning.
Thank you to each volunteer who lends a hand and a heart to bring this tribute to life. Join us on-site starting November 1st as we begin the Eleven Days of Remembrance.
www.fieldofcrosses.com/
#FieldofCrosses #Calgary #YYC #Volunteers #Remembrance #November #Canada #CanadianArmedForces #Veterans #History
A big thank you goes out to the incredible volunteers who help bring this meaningful tribute to life along Memorial Drive. Today, we’re sharing a glimpse of our dedicated crew preparing the grounds to honour over 3,600 fallen heroes.
From cross preparation to site setup, installation, and more, this project wouldn’t be possible without the many hands and hearts that make it all happen. Every effort counts, and we’re grateful for each volunteer’s commitment to preserving the memory of those who sacrificed for our freedom.
Stay tuned for more behind the scenes photos as we get closer to this year’s Eleven Days of Remembrance staring November 1st!
www.fieldofcrosses.com/
#FieldofCrosses #Calgary #YYC #Volunteers #ThankYou #Thankful #Remembrance #Veterans #Canada #History #CanadianArmedForces #Military #Community
So many moving parts to this spectacular project. Awesome job and huge kudos to the organizers. I am glad you were blessed with nice weather for the set-up.
An amazing group of people working their butts off for a great cause. I was so proud to have been a part of it!!
Thanks so much volunteers. We miss being able to volunteer but glad to have this site to follow you!
Was wonderful to be a part of this amazing group of people!!!
Thank You All
This makes me so happy and so excited and very proud to have been part of this amazing project and community again this year and I will continue to support and helping you all out to achieving and supporting and completing this amazing and wonderful and blessed project and tasks each and every year that I am able to do this for you all
The Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was established by a Royal Warrant on April 13, 1912. At the outbreak of the First World War on August 4, 1914, the RFC comprised 147 officers, 1,097 men, and 179 aeroplanes.
While Canada did not have its own Air Force during the war, Canadian airmen served with the RFC or the Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS). Approximately 22,812 Canadians served in the British flying services, and another 13,160 served as aircrew.
On April 1, 1918, the RFC and RNAS ceased to exist as they were merged into the newly formed Royal Air Force (RAF). By November 1918, Canadians made up 25% of RAF officers, with thousands more in training as pilots and observers when the war concluded.
By the war's end, nearly a quarter of all British flyers were Canadian. Of the 6,166 British Empire air service fatalities, 1,388 were Canadian, while an additional 1,130 Canadians were wounded or injured, and 377 became prisoners of war or were interned.
The motto of the Royal Flying Corps, "Per ardua ad astra," meaning "Through Adversity to the Stars," remains the motto of the Royal Air Force and other Commonwealth air forces.
Each November during the Eleven Days of Remembrance, the Field of Crosses in Calgary, Alberta, commemorates the four airmen from Southern Alberta who served with the Royal Flying Corps in World War I.
Craig, George B. – 23 – Lt RFC – 21/02/1918
Evans, Henry C. DSO – 36 – 2Lt RFC – 03/09/1916
Gee, Donald – 24 – 2Lt – 31/01/1918
Gilbert, Archibald H. – 23 – 2Lt RFC – 21/09/1917
#FieldofCrosses #RoyalFlyingCorps #RCAF #Canada #RFC #WW1 #Centennial #History #CanadianArmedForces
The time of year is approaching when Calgary’s landscape along Memorial Drive transforms into a place of honour and remembrance. Since 2009, The Field of Crosses has displayed over 3,500 crosses during the 11 days leading up to Remembrance Day, paying tribute to the brave soldiers from Southern Alberta and across Canada who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.
By Adopting A Cross, your donation helps to preserve the memory of these heroes, ensuring their stories and sacrifices remain a part of our community for generations to come. Let’s honor those who gave their tomorrow for our today.
Visit our website to learn more about The Field of Crosses and how you can support by Adopting A Cross.
www.fieldofcrosses.com/adoptacross/
Happy #Thanksgiving from The Field of Crosses. 🍁
We are so grateful for the incredible support from our community—our volunteers, donors, and everyone who contributes to keeping the remembrance of our fallen heroes alive. Without you, our annual display wouldn’t be possible. Thank you for helping us honour those who gave everything for our freedom.