'It’s just so upsetting': Downtown Chatham Cenotaph cleaned and repaired after repeated vandalism
The cenotaph in downtown Chatham, Ont. is seen on Nov. 10, 2022. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)
The cenotaph in downtown Chatham, Ont. is ready for Friday’s Remembrance Day service after a veteran recently voiced concern to the municipality over repeated vandalism to the monument.
Royal Canadian Legion Branch 642 President and veteran Len Maynard said a small minority of the local population continues to show the cenotaph disrespect.
“They're using it as an ashtray. There's a burn mark or something on the front,” Maynard said. “There’s some stains on the other side and there was some gunk written on the letters.”
Maynard said it seems the cenotaph is a frequent target for vandals, saying its condition earlier this week was “unbelievable.”
“It’s been so disrespected that is upsetting to veterans,” Maynard added.
Maynard believes it to be one of the most disrespected cenotaphs in Canada, telling CTV News Windsor education is key to preventing future damage.
“I've been all over this country in my service life and I've seen some that are kept up, they have guards beside it and everything else and this one is just a shame,” he explained.
He continued, “It’s very upsetting to myself and my fellow veterans. They give us one day a year to march up there and to see it in between that one day being treated like that it's just horrifying. It’s just so upsetting.”
Maynard praised the quick cleaning and restoration work done by Memorial Restorations in Sarnia, Ont.
Maynard added, “A lot of people don't realize why that's there and what it means. They just don't understand the sacrifices that veterans past, present and in the future, give and gave to this country.”
He said, “There’s a lot of heart in this town don’t get me wrong. There’s a lot of heart in Chatham-Kent. It’s just there’s a few misguided individuals that just do not realize what they're doing I think. How much harm they're causing.”
The Chatham Remembrance Day Parade will start at Royal Canadian Legion Branch 642 before making its way to the Cenotaph on Sixth Street Friday at 10:45 a.m.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A short-lived 'punch in the face' cold snap is coming for Eastern Canada
The beginning of February is expected to bring Arctic-like temperatures across much of Eastern Canada, thanks to frigid air from the polar vortex. The cold snap will descend on Eastern Canada this week, with temperatures becoming seasonable again on Sunday. In between, much of Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada can expect the coldest days yet this winter.
Family in remote northern Ont. reeling after daughter killed in fire, home destroyed
A family in the remote community of Peawanuck, Ont., is dealing not only with the death of their young daughter, but the loss of everything they owned in a Jan. 28 house fire.
Late Jean Vanier sexually abused 25 women, says non-profit he founded
A report commissioned by a non-profit organization founded by the late Jean Vanier says the Canadian sexually abused 25 women during his decades with the group.
Girl, 6, dies after T-bar lift incident at Quebec ski resort
A six-year-old girl died in hospital Sunday night after being involved in an incident at the Val-Saint-Côme ski resort in Lanaudiere. Quebec police are investigating, though details into the event are not yet known. Officers indicated that it involved a T-bar lift, but they were not able to say more.
Hybrid Parliament should be here to stay, say MPs in new report
The hybrid sitting structure and electronic voting system should become permanent features of the House of Commons, according to a new report from MPs on the Procedure and House Affairs Committee.
'Just incredible': Winnipegger and former teammate remembers Bobby Hull
Without Bobby Hull, the Winnipeg Jets wouldn’t be in the NHL right now. That’s how one of his former teammates feels about the late Jets forward.
Why adding a bit of milk to your morning coffee might be good for you
Adding some milk to your morning coffee may boost the body's anti-inflammatory response, new research out of Denmark shows.
WHO declares COVID-19 global emergency isn't over. What happens next?
The World Health Organization decided Monday not to end to the COVID-19 global public health emergency it declared three years ago, even though the pandemic has reached what the international body calls an 'inflection point.'
BREAKING
BREAKING | Canucks trade captain Bo Horvat to Islanders
The rebuild of the Vancouver Canucks has begun, with centre Bo Horvat heading to the New York Islanders.
Kitchener
-
Mike Schreiner responds to Liberal plea for a greener leader
Ontario Greens leader and MPP for Guelph, Mike Schreiner, said he is going to take time to "think about the arguments" following an open letter requesting him to run for the Ontario Liberal Party leadership.
-
'A really difficult case to win': Southwestern Ont. judge rules encampment can stay in Kitchener
The Region of Waterloo has lost a court bid for an injunction to evict residents of an encampment on municipally owned land at Victoria Street North and Weber Street West in Kitchener.
-
Remembering Bobby ‘the Golden Jet’ Hull in Waterloo region
Though Bobby Hull will forever be remembered for the excitement he generated on the ice, the late hockey star also had a local connection, launching his junior hockey career in Waterloo region.
London
-
London driver charged following fatal crash with pedestrian
A person has been charged following the death of a pedestrian in a crash last week. As previously reported by CTV News, a pedestrian was struck by a car near Hamilton Road and Watmar Avenue on Jan. 24.
-
Fatal house fire in London
One person has died after a house fire in London. Crews were called to the scene on Tremont Road near Trafalgar Street around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday.
-
Calls grow for emergency veterinary care in Sarnia-Lambton
A Sarnia, Ont. woman whose dog died in her arms is calling on local veterinarians to establish after hours vet care. Marg Allen has launched a petition, and hopes vets will get on board.
Barrie
-
Barrie police officer pleads guilty to assault charges
A Barrie Police Constable has resigned after being charged with Assault and Assault with a weapon by the Ontario Provincial Police.
-
Orillia Lighthouse operators say 'help is needed more than ever'
With inflation and rising costs, more individuals are struggling to make ends meet.
-
New walk-in clinic to open in Huntsville
Residents in Huntsville will soon have quicker access to healthcare with new walk-in clinic.
Northern Ontario
-
Family in remote northern Ont. reeling after daughter killed in fire, home destroyed
A family in the remote community of Peawanuck, Ont., is dealing not only with the death of their young daughter, but the loss of everything they owned in a Jan. 28 house fire.
-
Suspect was asleep behind the wheel, bag of coke in their lap, Sault police say
Two people discovered asleep in a vehicle in Sault Ste. Marie on Jan. 30 were found with weapons and more than $175,000 in illegal drugs, Sault police said Monday.
-
3.7 kilos of cocaine seized in northern Ontario by provincial guns and gangs unit
A joint forces drug trafficking investigation in northern Ontario has resulted in three people charged and drugs, cash and a vehicle being seized.
Ottawa
-
Patients left in lurch after Orleans doctors plan to close practices
Patients of an east Ottawa clinic say they've been left in the lurch after learning they would need to find new family doctors because their doctors were closing their medical practices.
-
OPP identify victim in Eganville femicide as mother of accused
Ontario Provincial Police have formally identified a woman who was found dead in Eganville last week as the mother of an 18-year-old man accused of murder.
-
Preparations underway for Winterlude, but Canal in question
Now in it’s 45th year, Winterlude, the popular winter festival, returns with in-person activities for the first time since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Toronto
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Mike Schreiner says he's thinking about running for leader of Ontario Liberals
Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner has indicated he may cross the floor and run to lead the provincial Liberal Party after a group of 40 members reached out in a public letter over the weekend.
-
Toronto man, 26, identified as victim of fatal downtown stabbing
Police have identified the victim of a fatal stabbing at a downtown Toronto apartment building on Sunday afternoon.
-
The Farmers' Almanac just revealed Ontario's spring forecast. Here's what to expect
The Farmers' Almanac just revealed its spring 2023 forecast and Ontario, along with much of the rest of Canada, is expected to see a “turbulent transition to warmth,” the agency predicts.
Montreal
-
Quebec minister calls on new anti-Islamophobia representative to step down over Bill 21 comments
Quebec's minister responsible for secularism, Jean-Francois Roberge, has called on Canada’s new special anti-Islamophobia advisor Amira Elghawaby to apologize and step down.
-
Girl, 6, dies after T-bar lift incident at Quebec ski resort
A six-year-old girl died in hospital Sunday night after being involved in an incident at the Val-Saint-Côme ski resort in Lanaudiere. Quebec police are investigating, though details into the event are not yet known. Officers indicated that it involved a T-bar lift, but they were not able to say more.
-
Late Jean Vanier sexually abused 25 women, says non-profit he founded
A report commissioned by a non-profit organization founded by the late Jean Vanier says the Canadian sexually abused 25 women during his decades with the group.
Atlantic
-
'There was money and blood.' Halifax murder trial hears grim details of crime scene
The grisly aftermath of an alleged fatal shooting was described Monday during the murder trial of a former Dalhousie University medical student accused of killing a fellow student in Halifax seven years ago.
-
Saint John police investigating sudden deaths of man, woman
Police are investigating the sudden deaths of two people in Saint John, N.B. The Saint John Police Force responded to a medical assistance call at a home on Red Head Road shortly after 8 a.m. Monday.
-
Man dies after he was found unconscious in Cape Breton jail cell
An inmate at the provincial jail in Cape Breton has died after he was found unconscious in his cell.
Winnipeg
-
'Just incredible': Winnipegger and former teammate remembers Bobby Hull
Without Bobby Hull, the Winnipeg Jets wouldn’t be in the NHL right now. That’s how one of his former teammates feels about the late Jets forward.
-
Man found dead in Winnipeg hotel; police investigating as homicide
Winnipeg police are investigating the death of a 40-year-old Winnipeg man at a Main Street hotel as a homicide.
-
Missing 12-year-old girl possibly in Winnipeg: RCMP
RCMP are searching for a 12-year-old girl who has not been seen in more than a week.
Calgary
-
UCP holds narrow lead with upcoming election set to be political horserace: ThinkHQ
A new political poll crafted by ThinkHQ Public Affairs says if an election were held in Alberta today, voters would be split on who should form the next government.
-
Banff National Park cave creature exists 'no where else': Parks Canada
Castleguard Cave is located about 170 kilometres north of the Cave and Basin Historic Site.
-
No 'n' in Bridgeland: Calgary sign takes another hit
The sign that promotes the inner-city neighbourhood of Bridgeland is missing another letter.
Edmonton
-
Mindbender roller coaster closed after 37 years at West Edmonton Mall
The Mindbender roller coaster at Galaxyland has been shut down, West Edmonton Mall announced on Monday. The redevelopment of the area is already underway, and the roller coaster is being decommissioned and removed.
-
'Disturbing': Smith promises change after Edmonton bus damaged, rider threatened with ice pick
A 20-year-old man has been arrested and charged after police say he caused more than $5,000 worth of damage to an Edmonton Transit Bus and threatened a female passenger, acts that drew condemnation from Alberta's premier.
-
'Didn't receive any notifications': Edmonton drivers frustrated after receiving parking ban tickets
Several Edmonton drivers say they weren’t notified of snow clearing in their area before their vehicles were ticketed.
Vancouver
-
Vancouver Public Library Foundation receives $150K to bolster early literacy programs
A Hong Kong-based philanthropic foundation is donating $150,000 to support early literacy in Vancouver.
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Canucks trade captain Bo Horvat to Islanders
The rebuild of the Vancouver Canucks has begun, with centre Bo Horvat heading to the New York Islanders.
-
270 illegal crab traps seized from Boundary Bay, federal officials say
More than 900 crabs were freed from illegal traps in Boundary Bay last week, according to federal officials.