Anchors Aweigh
By Woodard, Dale on July 6, 2020.
Dale Woodard
Lethbridge Herald
It was anchor up at General Stewart Branch Legion 4 Friday afternoon.
The Legion Hall in Lethbridge did a little redecorating outside as the Admiralty Pattern Anchor on the building’s east side was pulled up and relocated to the Lethbridge Military Museum as part of the museum’s legacy project.
“The General Stewart Branch Legion 4 is going through some renovations in our parking lot and the anchor has to move,” said Glenn Miller, co-chair of Lethbridge Legion public relations, of the anchor that was presented to General Stewart Branch Legion 4 on Remembrance Day in 1978 by the Navy league of Canada.
“As a result the best place to showcase that anchor, we felt, (was by) donating it to the Lethbridge Military Museum as part of their legacy project in their courtyard.”
The Admiralty Pattern Anchor will represent the navy element, said Miller.
“There will be an air force element and an army element, so that’s one way to show to the public when they visit the museum the Navy representation here in Western Canada. It’s not as visible, although we have had in (Second World War) a ship named Lethbridge and some people from the reserves have gone on to join the Navy. So there is a long history. Even in (First World War), local prairie people joined the Navy at the time. So it ties all of that in as part of that heritage.”
After being removed from the General Stewart Branch Legion 4 Friday afternoon, the anchor headed directly to the Lethbridge Military Museum for immediate installation.
“It’s going to go there into a piece of concrete,” said Miller. “They’ll secure it similar to the way it’s secured here. We’re picking up the anchor from this location and we’ll take it down to the military museum at the Vimy Ridge Armoury and they’ll drop it in.”
As part of the legacy project at the museum, a cobblestone area in the shape of a poppy has been built for the community to honour its military heritage, said Miller, adding the cobblestone was built last week.
“People can buy a brick. It’s a fundraiser project. For $150 you can get a name inscribed on a brick surrounding the poppy.”
The brick fundraiser is one of many fundraisers – including a mural – the museum has done, said Miller.
“Officially, it should all be done by September. There are a number of people who have already purchased bricks and they are installed. So any purchases moving forward, the company will swap out the brick with the print out.”
Those interested in purchasing a brick can contact Ray Romses, the chairman of the military museum on the museum’s website at http://www.lethbridgemilitarymuseum.org.
As a result of COVID-19 and health restrictions in the province, the Lethbridge Military Museum has been closed.
“But we are tentatively hoping to be open July 22,” said Miller, adding that date will hinge on the necessary permissions and clearances. “We are normally open every Wednesday afternoon. So we’re excited to be re-launching our opening.”
In the meantime, history buffs can get a lesson online at the http://www.lethbridgemilitarymuseum.org via a mural of 60 pictures, which can be clicked on for a variety of local topics and tidbits.
“The website has a mural of 60 squares and each square tells a story, easily a one-minute story for each square,” said Miller. “You don’t have to go to the museum. You can click on your phone or on your computer and learn about southern Alberta history.”
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