Altamont Cenotaph

This memorial, constructed by Carman Granite and Marble for Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 195 in Altamont, is dedicated to the local war dead and veterans of the South African War, the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, and peacetime forces. The Action Committee from the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 195 proposed the idea of a memorial to the Cemetery board, who enthusiastically approved the plan. The site where the memorial sits is meant to be a permanent one. Rural prairie villages and towns are rapidly disappearing, and the Action Committee wanted an undisturbed place. President Edward Orchard of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 195 and Jack Madill were elected a committee of two to design, plan location and select a supplier. They had no difficulty designing what they wanted. Alex Grenier of the cemetery board prepared the base as per the specs from Carman Granite and Marble. Carman installed the memorial itself. The entire cemetery is beautifully maintained by the cemetery committee. They have a greed to maintain it, as well as the several military grave markers, in perpetuity. The memorial was unveiled on 14 October 2000 by Lou Badiou representing the navy, Ed. Orchard representing the army and Joyce Hanks representing the air force, as well as the tremendous contribution made by women during the Second World War. The town of Altamont and the Royal Canadian Legion Branch No. 195 are very proud of their monument and the gallant men and women it honours.