The Town of Stettler, along with the Community Builders committee, is working to ensure that no one forgets those who built the community.
On May 25, the community builders committee, along with delegates from the town, unveiled the latest of the memorial monuments which are being placed along the walking trail across from the RCMP Detachment on 44 Avenue.
SEE ALSO: The first two monuments spearheaded by Stettler Community Builders have been officially unveiled
SEE ALSO: Stettler Community Builders committee unveil new plaques
Between the town and the committee, funds have been found to create two monuments per year. As the program finishes the third year of its operation, honourees were Charles and Roy Willis, whose family owned the Stettler Independent for three generations, and the Backstrom family, whose construction projects included the first Stettler courthouse and Ransom School.
Committee chair Cheryl Baros welcomed the 20 or so people to the unveiling of the monuments before she passed the microphone to Malcolm Fischer and Carson Ellis, a pair of other committee members.
Fischer spoke about the Backstrom family and the many construction projects they had a hand in across the region.
Ellis spoke about the Willis family, who he said was instrumental in getting the railway to come through the community as initial plans called for it to be routed elsewhere.
Mayor Sean Nolls brought greetings on behalf of the town; during his turn at the microphone, he emphasized the importance of remembering the history of the community.
Also in attendance were descendants of Charles and Roy Willis, and someone who grew up with the Backstrom family; each took a turn remembering their ancestors.
The entire ceremony lasted about 20 minutes.
Previous plaques installed were dedicated to Clark Burlingham, Fred Colley, the Poon family, and Judge William Bringham Gray.
