Lethbridge Military museum receives commemorative bronze donation

By Justin Seward - Lethbridge Herald on June 3, 2022.

Herald photo by Justin Seward Honourary Lt. Col. for the 20th Independent Battery Rick Casson, Lethbridge United Services Institute president Glenn Miller, 20th Independent Battery major commanding officer Robert Mein and Lethbridge Military Museum deputy chairman Don Graham were on hand for the bronze statue unveiling at the Lethbridge Military Museum.

The Lethbridge Military Museum was gifted with a bronze horse and driver from Lethbridge United Service Institute to commemorate local artillery contributions at an unveiling ceremony on Thursday.
The statue is one of ten limited editions by local artist Don Toney and resembles the same sculpture of the centre horse and driver in the Legacy of Alberta statue that was recently donated to the Lethbridge and District Exhibition.
“It really ties into southern Alberta and the rich heritage we have,” said Glenn Miller, Lethbridge United Services Institute president.
“Not only the guns, but also the horses that were instrumental in World War I and were treated as members of the defence team. When a horse died, their owner really took it hard. Horses all had serial numbers and the Veterinarian Corps looked after them and on this particular horse, there’s also a Canadian standard horse brand and just to show it’s an identifiable Canadian horse on the battlefield.”
Museum visitors will already see a horse dealing with the First World War.
“This augments that story – the horse’s contribution,” he said.
“Then it also leverages the opportunity for those people who experience our museum, can go experience the full statue, the Legacy of Alberta housed at the Lethbridge and District Exhibition.”
“It’s going to be a great addition to all the artifacts that we have,” said Rick Casson, honourary Lt. Col. for the 20th Independent Field Battery.
“It’ll be on display and as you can see, it’s a beautiful piece of art. But if you really look at it, you can see it’s a war horse and it’s a soldier on him and part of a bigger picture. So, as far as the museum is concerned, we’re very thankful to the Lethbridge United Services Institute for taking this project on. It took a lot of work and a long time and a lot of money to bring it to fruition. But now to have this a part of a museum, we’re just really happy and we know the people that come into see it are going to enjoy seeing that.”