Veterans Walkway in Medicine Hat’s Memorial Park offers lasting tribute to veterans

The walkway leads toward the memorial bearing more than 100 names of people who have died, creating a quiet setting for visitors to reflect.

Devine regularly visits the park on weekends to pick up garbage and help keep the area clean, saying Memorial Park holds a special place for veterans and the broader community.

“I classify Memorial Park like a graveyard,” Devine said.

“It should be peaceful. It should be quiet. You should be able to go there and reflect and think about things that [have] happened in your past or what you want to do in the future.”

Devine said he has been encouraged by the support from the City of Medicine Hat and city council, noting his original proposal received a response within a month, and hopes the walkway will not only honour veterans, but also encourage more people to learn about the services and organizations available to former service members.

Looking ahead, Devine wants to see Medicine Hat establish an annual Veterans Day, separate from Remembrance Day.

Devine envisions a community event in Memorial Park where veterans, families, children and organizations supporting veterans could gather.

“We can get children involved. You can get everybody involved in Memorial Park,” Devine said.

“The food wagons can come, and it can be a good, fun day all for veterans.”

For Devine, the goal is to make sure veterans are remembered and supported throughout the year, not only on Nov. 11.

“I would just like to hopefully one day get the council to agree to name a day as a Veterans Day where veterans can gather in Memorial Park,” Devine said.

“Everybody else can come and help and make a day of it and just really celebrate what veterans are all about.”

by Jett Schwaier

Veterans Walkway in Medicine Hat’s Memorial Park offers lasting tribute to veterans

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