Special Ceremony Honouring Fallen Soldier Takes Place This Saturday In Grafton
A Cenotaph Engraving Ceremony will take place this coming Saturday in honour of Major Michelle Knight Mendes.
On Tuesday, July 24, 2018, two workers from Campbell Monument worked with intricate detail on the Grafton Cenotaph.
Major Knight Mendes died on April 23, 2009 in Afghanistan while serving in the Canadian military.
Knight Mendes grew up in the Grafton area and was the daughter of Ron and Dianne Knight.
Dick Raymond is part of the Friends of Grafton Sports and Activities who spearheaded the project along with Grafton Legion Brach 580.
Raymond’s daughter Tara who grew up with Knight Mendes along with a few other friends who were at the last Remembrance Day Service in Grafton asked why their friends name wasn’t on the cenotaph.
“I went up and talked to Jean Calder and then Jen (MacDonald who was President of Branch 580) and when Jen got going in forward gear, it really took off.”
The Grafton Sports and Activities agreed to pay for the engraving to the cenotaph to add Knight Mendes name.
Not only was Raymond one of the few people who witnessed the engraving, he also helped the workers clean up the sand after the work was completed.
“It looks super. It put chills up my back.”
The ceremony begins at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 28, 2018 in front of the Haldimand Community Memorial Arena on County Road 2 in Grafton and all are welcome.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love