St. Vincent’s is a small town with an aging population, but one that is determined to maintain and improve upon its memorial park in honour of the town’s fallen war heroes.
The memorial park in the Irish Loop town of between 300 and 400 people is named after Pte. Kevin Kennedy, 20, who was killed in a roadside bomb attack in southern Afghanistan on April 8, 2007. He was one of six soldiers who died in that incident — including another Newfoundland and Labrador soldier, Sgt. Donald Lucas.
All six were members of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment based in Gagetown, N.B.
Kennedy, who grew up in St. Lawrence, is buried in St. Vincent’s, which is his mother Kay Kennedy’s hometown. He is buried alongside his grandparents, as was his wish.
The Fishermen’s Museum committee in St. Vincent’s started the memorial garden following his funeral in 2007. It included a monument and a sign with Kennedy’s picture on it, along with the words, “From the soccer fields of St. Lawrence to the battlefields of Kandahar.”
Madonna Martin, the committee’s chairperson, said the committee is further developing and enhancing the memorial garden.
She said people have already donated wooden benches and granite benches, and trees and bushes. There have also been some community projects and volunteer work put into the garden, but there is a need for more work before a formal opening next July.
“The sign was erected in 2007 and is in dire need of repair or of being replaced,” Martin said. “We need funding for sods and history boards to present information on Kevin and other veterans from this community.”
Martin said it’s difficult to continually ask the residents of the small community for donations, as they are trying to maintain other things to keep the town alive, such as the local fire brigade, the seniors’ committee and the parish council.
That’s why the Fishermen’s Museum committee thought about contacting Kennedy’s former unit, friends and others who might want to donate in his memory.
The province’s Uniformed Services — which is made up of first responders such as RCMP, RNC, fire departments, military, Canadian Coast Guard, paramedics, and Fish and Wildlife Enforcement — has already donated $1,000 to the project.
Anyone wishing to donate can contact Martin by email at [email protected] or call 525-2544.
Martin said the memorial garden is important to members of the community, the province and to visitors alike.
“I think it means everything,” she said. “These (soldiers) gave up their all, so I think the least we can do is provide a place of respect to honour them in our town.”
