Local veterans honoured, memorial crosswalk in Lakefield unveiled
Peterborough County, Selwyn Township, and the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 77 in Lakefield joined veterans, community members, and invited guests on Saturday morning to unveil the new Veterans Memorial Crosswalk in downtown Lakefield, a lasting tribute recognizing the service, sacrifice, and contributions of local veterans and commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Lakefield Legion.
Community members, local veterans and politicians gather in front of Memorial Hall for the official unveiling of the Veterans Memorial Crosswalk, emceed by Lakefield Legion President, Lorna MacDonald. (Photo: Stacey Sullivan, Discover Lakefield)
The unveiling, emceed by Lorna McDonald, President of the Lakefield Legion, included remarks from Selwyn Township Mayor Sherry Senis, MPP Dave Smith, and Keith Knott of Curve Lake First Nation, with the Royal Canadian Legion Colour Party, local veterans, and community members in attendance.
The crosswalk was completed through a collaborative partnership between the Lakefield Legion, Peterborough County, and Selwyn Township. Peterborough County contributed to the road marking installation, while Selwyn Township supported the unveiling event as part of the Legion's 100th anniversary celebrations.
In 2026, the Royal Canadian Legion is recognizing 100 years of supporting veterans, strengthening communities, and advancing remembrance across Canada. As one of the earliest chartered branches, Branch 77 in Lakefield is also marking its 100th anniversary.
"The Lakefield Legion got our charter in 1926, and Branch 77 is celebrating this milestone too," said Lorna MacDonald, President of the Lakefield Legion. "One of the big goals we had this year was to have a Veterans Memorial Crosswalk in Lakefield. We have been wanting to make this happen for quite a while, and we thought our 100th anniversary would be a fitting time. The crosswalk is meant to express our gratitude to the veterans in our area who have served or are still serving. We were pleased that our County and Township partnered with us to make this crosswalk happen."
Concluding the Legion ceremony, Lakefield Legion's Second World War veterans were escorted by Lakefield Legion past-president Jim Marsden, followed by other local veterans and then the Royal Canadian Legion Colour Party.
Lakefield Legion Past President Jim Marsden leads a ceremonial walk across the memorial crosswalk alongside local veterans, including a World War II veteran. (Photo: Stacey Sullivan, Discover Lakefield)
The Veterans Memorial Crosswalk will serve as a visible year-round reminder of the service and sacrifice of veterans in the Lakefield area and the community's continued commitment to remembrance. The project reflects the power of local partnerships and a shared commitment to recognizing the contributions of veterans while fostering remembrance within the community.
Peterborough County covered the initial cost of the installation, while the Lakefield Legion will be responsible for the crosswalk's ongoing maintenance and upkeep. The Legion will be fundraising to help cover these costs. Anyone interested in making a donation is encouraged to contact the Lakefield Legion for more information.