Grade 6 students in Almonte, Ont. campaign to have local veteran's name added to cenotaph
A 100-year-old mistake in the town of Almonte, Ont. will soon be corrected, thanks to a group of Grade 6 students.
The students in Jean Grant-Kearney's class have spent much of the year researching Private George Monterville, an Almonte native and First World War veteran.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
Monterville signed up to serve at the age of 34, and returned to Almonte after the war. He died on home soil from injuries suffered in battle at the age of 39.
Just a couple years later, the Almonte Cenotaph was constructed with the names of local veterans engraved upon it, but Monterville was left off.
"We found out that his name was not on the Almonte cenotaph," said 12-year-old Olivia Giardini. "So we decided to make a real life learning project, and we wanted to get his name on the cenotaph."
Jean Grant-Kearney's Grade 6 class at R. Tait McKenzie Public School in Almonte, Ont. MWO Michael Wiggins (left) is featured alongside the class. April 11, 2024. (Dylan Dyson/CTV News Ottawa)
Since November, the class has been campaigning to add Monterville's name to the cenotaph by contacting the mayor and making presentations to the legion.
"For the students, it's important for them to make connections to their town. It's important for us to also remember our veterans, not just leading up to Remembrance Day, but always," said Grant-Kearney.
"I think it was kind of unfair because he was not on the cenotaph with all of his comrades and all of his friends, even though he was one of the first to sign up," said 11-year-old Owen Anderson.
Almonte Legion Parade Marshall and Master Warrant Officer Michael Wiggins aided the students in their campaign. He says Monterville was one of the founding members of the Almonte Legion.
"George's funeral, when he did die, was very important for this town. The town shut down and people lined the streets for his funeral parade," he says.
"So I think at the time, just over a hundred years ago, George was fresh in their minds, and he was remembered. And I think in their minds, they wanted to put the names of the folks that weren't here."
The efforts of the students have paid off, and they have learned that they will be part of the re-dedication ceremony in June when Monterville's name is added to the cenotaph.
"This gentleman was part of their community. He worked here, he played local hockey here, he ref'd hockey here," said Grant-Kearney.
"For the students he's one of their own. He is one of their townspeople."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Baby, grandparents among 4 people killed in wrong-way police chase on Ontario's Hwy. 401
A police chase which started with a liquor store robbery in Bowmanville Monday night ended in tragedy some 20 minutes later when a suspect fleeing police entered Highway 401 in the wrong direction and caused a pileup which killed an infant and the child's grandparents, as well as the suspect, investigators say.
McGill requests 'police assistance' over pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University says it has 'requested police assistance' about the pro-Palestinian encampment on its lower field.
Freeland tables motion previewing omnibus budget bill
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will be tabling yet another omnibus bill to pass the sweeping range of measures promised in her April 16 federal budget.
Judge holds Trump in contempt, fines him US$9,000 and raises threat of jail in hush money trial
Donald Trump was held in contempt of court Tuesday and fined US$9,000 for repeatedly violating a gag order that barred him from making public statements about witnesses, jurors and some others connected to his New York hush money case. If he does it again, the judge warned, he could be jailed.
Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash
Air Canada has paused a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares just days after implementing it.
Court upholds Milwaukee police officer's firing for posting racist memes after Sterling Brown arrest
The Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a former Milwaukee police officer was properly fired for posting racist memes related to the arrest of an NBA player that triggered a public outcry.
New cancer treatment approved, but not everyone thinks it's what's best for patients
A new cancer treatment recently approved in Canada promises to cut treatment time down to just minutes, but experts have differing opinions on whether it's what's best for patients.
T. rex is at the centre of a debate over dinosaur intelligence
Surmising even the physical appearance of a dinosaur - or any extinct animal - based on its fossils is a tricky proposition, with so many uncertainties involved. Assessing a dinosaur's intelligence, considering the innumerable factors contributing to that trait, is exponentially more difficult.
Province boots mayor and council in small northern Ont. town out of office
An ongoing municipal strike, court battles and revolt by half of council has prompted the province to oust the mayor and council in Black River-Matheson.