Province to Designate Highway 102 as Veterans Memorial Highway

TRANSPORTATION/PUBLIC WORKS--Province to Designate Highway 102 as Veterans Memorial Highway

The province announced today that Highway 102 between Miller Lake and Truro will be designated as Veterans Memorial Highway.

Premier John Hamm and Ronald Russell, Minister of Transportation and Public Works, said the designation will commemorate the effort and sacrifice of veterans who served Canada at home and abroad.

"I am pleased that the province is passing along an ongoing tribute to veterans," said Premier Hamm. "I hope this commemoration serves daily as a reminder of the toil and sacrifice of our veterans and contributes to the lasting memory of those who served our country."

"I am proud that my province and my department have played a role in bringing forward this tribute," said Mr. Russell. "It is important that everyone remember the role veterans have played in protecting rights and freedoms for Canadians."

The sign unveiling ceremony was held in the Red Chamber of Province House. Royal Canadian Legion members, veterans, MLAs and members of the public attended. Premier Hamm and Mr. Russell were joined at the unveiling by Clarence Dawe, president of the Royal Canadian Legion--Nova Scotia Command and Rev. Wrenfred Bryant. Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism and Culture, and MLA Bill Langille, chair of the House standing committee on veterans affairs, also participated.

"I want to thank all veterans for their role in preserving democracy in Canada and abroad," said Mr. Langille.

"Thousands upon thousands of veterans have fought and sacrificed for this great country and this is one way we can pay our respect," said Mr. Dawe. "This is the crowning glory in the Legion's millennium-year celebrations, and it comes at the appropriate time, two days before Remembrance Day."

Two large highway signs, each about 10 feet tall by 17 feet wide, will be placed next to the highway on the northbound lanes near Miller Lake and on the southbound lanes by Exit 14 near Truro. The signs will read Veterans Memorial Highway with the words Lest We Forget underneath. A poppy and the provincial road symbol will grace the top corners.

Four smaller signs, each about four feet tall by two-and-half feet wide, will be placed midway along the highway, near Stewiacke and Brookfield. The smaller signs will read Memorial Highway with the provincial highway symbol separating the words.

In the interest of safety, the road will continue be referred to as Highway 102 by emergency personnel.

Up to 40,000 vehicles travel on Highway 102 every day.

NOTE TO EDITORS: A photograph of the sign is available as a jpeg or a gif by e-mailing <release@gov.ns.ca.>

kjd Thursday, November 9, 2000 11:24 a.m.