LEST WE FORGET 25 The Estevan Soldiers’ Tree . . . continued The actual chainsaw sculpturing took about 18 days as the tree stood where it had grown for 102 years on a farm near Estevan. Then, two park benches were carved from B.C. cedar trees to complement the military theme: Seated on the ends of the benches are a WWII sailor from HMCS Saskatchewan, a WWI soldier PPCLI, a WWII RCAF pilot officer and a modern-day soldier PPCLI. The latter was carved in the likeness of Warrant Officer Ivan Finstad, a native of Estevan. The 6-ft-wide tree with 18-ft circumference, along with the benches, were painstakingly transported to downtown Estevan: a crane lowered them into position on the Courthouse grounds near the cenotaph. Carvings in the 20-ft-tall tree include personnel of the Royal Canadian Navy, Canadian Army and Royal Canadian Air Force: a sergeant-at-arms; pilot; sailor; female Air Force sergeant; and a South Saskatchewan Regiment corporal helping his buddy to safety. Also depicted in the carving are the hat badge and the Queen’s Colours of the South Saskatchewan Regiment. From the planning stage to the dedication ceremony, The Royal Canadian Legion’s Estevan Branch 060 was heavily involved in the project by volunteering time, donating money, fundraising, and sharing military memories and expertise. At the dedication ceremony on September 10, 2016, the Legion Colour Party led the parade along with veterans of past conflicts and a Guard of Honour consisting of 26 soldiers from the 3rd Battalion PPCLI Edmonton. A pair of WWII Bren Gun Carriers brought up the rear of the parade transporting five WWII veterans to the monument to hold the ribbon for the ribbon-cutting ceremony. Following an address by Brigadier General Ray Romses, the ribbon cutting was performed by a PPCLI soldier from 3rd Battalion PPCLI Edmonton and a veteran of the Afghanistan conflict. Then, in front of over 2500 attendees, Estevan Branch took a vow of care accepting responsibility for maintenance of The Soldiers’ Tree. Estevan Branch is honoured to take responsibility for maintaining the Solders’ Tree that displays carvings of Spitfire fighter plane, poems, sprays of poppies, and a combat helmet on a cross. By Stephanie Anhorn Saskatchewan Command 26 Jan 2017
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