Downtown Fernie has a new crosswalk that commemorates Canada’s veterans, with city workers painting a Royal Canadian Legion design at the intersection of 2nd Ave and 6th Street on August 4.

“Originally, the crosswalk was an idea that was born out of the Royal Canadian Legion headquarters, and other places in the province have put in the same crosswalk,” said Fernie Legion president Jen Cronin.

“We settled on this design because it doesn’t have veterans on the crosswalk or poppies on the crosswalk—all those things you don’t want anybody to drive over top of.”

The final design—which was coming together through the week—will consist of two maple leaves and text that reads: “In Honour of Those Who Served and Sacrificed.” Cronin said the Fernie Legion had been working with the City of Fernie for six months to make the crosswalk happen, with a design from the Royal Canadian Legion used as the template. Costs for painting and maintaining the crosswalk are covered by the city.

Cronin said the timing was ideal, with the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Legion celebrated this year and a Fernie Legion event in early September to mark the occasion.

She said that the community response to the crosswalk had been “outstanding” so far and spoke about the value that the crosswalk brought to the community.

“Every city should have one of these.

“It’s so that we don’t forget, and we hope that every time people cross that block, it triggers a memory of someone they knew who served or is still serving. If it does that to one person, that crosswalk has served its purpose.

“The further we get away from conflict, the easier it is to forget what came before. So, it’s important to have those memories jogged and to think back to those who have given us the freedom to walk down the street in peace.”

The crosswalk will be formally dedicated ahead of the Fernie Legion’s event for the Royal Canadian Legion’s 100th anniversary, which will be a block party on September 5 at Station Square. Details on the event can be found here.

“It’s going to be such a wonderful community event—everyone is invited,” said Cronin.

“This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—you’re never going to go to another 100th birthday of the Legion because we only turn 100 once. A lot of work has gone into it.”

Words and photos by Scott Tibballs