Sarnia-Lambton Afghanistan Monument

In August 2015, the Sarnia First Hussars Association began the process of procuring a monument to honour those lost in combat during the Afghanistan Mission. The Light Armoured Vehicles were used extensively in Afghanistan by the Canadian Armed Forces for assault, mobility and protection – they were the workhorse of the Canadian Forces’ effort in Kandahar Province. The Sarnia First Hussar’s were able to obtain Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) lll, hull number 77, and the vehicle’s 30 mm cannon was replaced with a fixed metal piece, and the engine, electronics and other equipment were removed.

The Sarnia First Hussars Association, along with the Royal Canadian Legion, Sarnia Branch 62, and the City of Sarnia, set up the 1st Hussars Association Afghanistan Monument Committee to raise funds for the project, under the direction of Honorary Colonel Barry A. Hogan. Led by the First Hussars Association, funds were received from the Kiwanis of the Seaway, Sarnia Legion Branch 62, the Sarnia Saints Rugby Club, the Royal Canadian Regiment, the Labourer’s International Union of North America, Local 1089, and from private citizens for the $65,000 project.

On October 30, 2016, a dedication ceremony took place unveiling the Sarnia-Lambton Afghanistan Monument in the southeast corner of Veterans Park in the presence of military personnel, dignitaries and six Silver Cross families – including those of two Sarnia/Lambton Afghanistan fallen. Military personnel included members of the 4th battalion of the Royal Canadian Regiment, the 1st Hussars, the 31st brigade and the Royal Highland Fusiliers, including Lt-Col. Mark Poland – brother of Brent Poland.

Three bronze plaques are part of the memorial: one plaque is dedicated to Private William Cushley and Corporal Brent Poland, both of Sarnia/Lambton who died in action while serving in Afghanistan; a second plaque is dedicated to the 40,000 men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces deployed to Afghanistan, and the 159 who lost their lives, between 2001 and 2014; and the third plaque is dedicated to the 86 members of the First Hussars deployed in Afghanistan.

Light Armoured Vehicles (LAV) III were originally manufactured by Canadians at General Dynamics Land Systems Canada in London, Ontario and were instrumental to troops in carrying out their missions while in Afghanistan. The monuments were created from decommissioned LAV III hulls, donated by the Government of Canada and built by Militex Coating Inc. and Fanshawe College students in London, Ontario.

On November 5, 2014, the Canada Company Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) lll Monument Program was launched to recognize the 40,000 Canadians Armed Forces who served in Afghanistan and to commemorate the 162 Canadians who lost their lives. The program closed after awarding 33 monuments to communities across Canada.

[plaque]

Honouring the members of the 1st Hussars
who served in the Afghanistan Mission
from 2003 to 2014

Hodie Non Cras 

[plaque]

DEDICATED TO THOSE
40,000 men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces who fought
in the Cause of Peace and Freedom and in the memory of those 159
who gave the ultimate sacrifice.
“Never to be forgotten”

Ils ont combattu pour la cause de la paix et de la liberte

2001 AFGHANISTAN 2014

[plaque]

IN MEMORY OF

Pte. CUSHLEY, William Jonathan James
1st Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
Hometown: Port Lambton, Ontario
Age 21 years
Killed in Action: September 3rd, 2006

Cpl. POLAND, Brent Donald
2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment
Hometown: Camlachie, Ontario
Age 37 years
Killed in Action: April 8th, 2007