The memorial along Veterans way was finally revealed yesterday as a part of Alberta Culture and Heritage days.

A wonderful piece of art and a dedication to the local soldiers from our region has residents awed.

Malcolm Hughes from the Okotoks Legion says it means a lot to the veterans of the community, to know that Okotokians are always there and will always remember.

"What it does, is confirms something that we probably knew instinctively, but it confirms that this community really respects and cares for veterans."

Hughes shares, although the piece may be named 'A Salute To Our Veterans' it's meaningful to more people in the community than just the Veterans.

"Beyond what it means to us in the Legion, I think it means a lot to Okotoks and is a massive contribution to the history of this town." Hughes adds "Okotoks did see a lot of military people through the town with all of the training and bases in the area."

Although history is taught in schools, and Veterans remembered throughout the year this memorial will help to make the memory more real, as Hughes says it hit's a little closer to home.

"When we have something that's local, that brings a message back to locality, I think it has so much more impact.  I think that's what this will do, it will show people that 75 years ago, men and women were leaving this very town and some of them never came back."

The memorial will have additions in the future to include current serving military members and veterans that served in other wars and battles besides WWII.

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