Memorial Honouring Alberta Heroes Of The Skies to be unveiled September 3, 2004

August 3, 2004

Date Shot: 7 June 1941 Neg Number: PL 3766 RCAF Student studies bomb sight at No. 3 Service Flying Training School, Calgary, Alberta, part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Photo credit: National Defence Imagery Library

Calgary -- Alberta's heroes of the skies in World War II are soon to be honoured by a memorial for the first time.

A 19-foot-high bronze statue of a uniformed airman looking to the skies, will be unveiled by Premier Ralph Klein at McDougall Centre, on 5th Avenue and 7th Street SW at 11:00 am on Friday, September 3.

“We all owe these courageous air crew an immense debt of gratitude for their ultimate sacrifice. I was honoured to locate the memorial at McDougall Centre, where visitors can pause, to remember, and to pay their respects." said the Premier.

World War II veterans will join hundreds of families related to the honoured dead, Air Cadets and enlisted military to mark the special occasion. Canadian Air Force CF 18 fighter jets from Cold Lake will fly overhead.

The memorial remembers more than 1,600 Alberta air crew who lost their lives in World War II. They were graduates of the massive British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. The plan was set up in Alberta and other parts of Canada at the beginning of the war and trained a total 131,000 Allied pilots and crews from around the world.

Date Shot: 7 June 1941 Neg Number: PL 3765 A Maintenance Crew works on a Avro Anson aircraft engine at No. 3 Service Flying Training School, Calgary, Alberta, part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Photo credit: National Defence Imagery Library

Calgary played a key role in the training plan, being the most garrisoned city in Canada with "everyone in uniform," said Arthur Smith OC, AOE, DFC, who is chairman of The British Air Commonwealth Memorial Statue committee. The province hosted 18 of the total 360 training schools across the country.

"This memorial is dedicated to the many young men and women who died," said Smith. Their names are publicly displayed for the first time on plaques surrounding the memorial.

"As we reflect on Alberta's history during our coming Centennial year, we want to acknowledge and recognize the sacrifice and contribution made by Albertans to the war effort," said Smith, "This memorial should have been created years ago," he added.

Mr. Smith raised more than $200,000 from the public and private sector as well as individuals to create the memorial. He traveled to a number of North American cities over the past 10 years looking at different war monuments for ideas. "Over and over again, I was struck by the importance of the names at the memorials. We were so young; we believed nothing could happen to us. We never thought we were in danger of not returning," said Smith, who was himself honoured with a Distinguished Flying Cross for his action in World War II.

Premier Ralph Klein will be joined at the unveiling by Mayor Dave Bronconnier, former Alberta Cabinet Minister Hugh Planche whose brother was one of the air crew killed in action, supporters John Simpson of Cana Construction, Dick Wilson of EnCana Corporation and Marg Southern of Spruce Meadows.

An Air Force honour guard and military band with 12 pipers from 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta, Canadian Air Cadets and members of the Air Crew Association and The Air Force Association of Canada will march past the memorial.

Date Shot: 7 June 1941 Neg Number: PL 3769 A student pilot looks over a Avro Anson aircraft in which he will fly after 50 hours of training on a Tiger Moth at No. 3 Service Flying Training School, Calgary,Alberta, part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. Photo credit: National Defence Imagery Library

During World War II, Calgary was home to two flying schools, Canadian Wing Headquarters, a supply depot and a wireless school operating at SAIT.

The monument itself was based on a model by Calgary artist Andrew Hulbert. It is being sculpted by Don and Shirley Begg of Studio West who have completed more than 40 bronze statues for public buildings and other settings across North America and Europe, including three for the Calgary International Airport.

The public is invited to attend the ceremonies. Veterans are encouraged to wear their medals and join the march past of the monument.

Fifth Avenue from 7th Street to 6th Street will be closed from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Organizers recommend people take the LRT to the 6th Street SW station and walk to 5th Avenue. The event will be held irrespective of weather.

More information about the Sept. 3 ceremony and a list of the names that will be honored can be found on line at www.gov.ab.ca starting Thursday, August 5. A published list of the names can be viewed at McDougall Centre weekdays from 9:00 am. to 4:00 p.m.

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