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Deputy Mayor Mark Joseph represented the Municipality of Cumberland as Branch 10 Royal Canadian Legion in Amherst unveiled a new monument in Amherst on Saturday, Sept. 23, that memorializes the Canadian soldiers who lost their lives during the conflict in Afghanistan.

Joseph, who is a veteran of the Afghanistan conflict, joined with representatives from the Legion, the Town of Amherst and provincial and federal politicians in unveiling the monument located on the corner of Victoria and LaPlanche Street in Amherst.

“It is with hope, you find this monument a place of comfort and remembrance. It’s a beautiful sight to see all the veterans in attendance who have took the journey from across Canada to be here to support everyone involved in this great cause,” Joseph said.

Joseph said it was a special day in that the monument recognizes the men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

“Fellow Canadians and veterans in Cumberland County now have a place to pay their respects and remember their sacrifices,” Joseph said. “For me personally, this monument is very special as it brings closure. I worked closely with over a dozen of these brave Canadian Armed Forces members. The military is your second family, a place where you work tireless hours training individually and then collectively to be prepared for anything you may encounter on overseas operations. We train for war but as a soldier you pray for peace.”

More than 40,000 Canadians served in Afghanistan between 2001 and March 2014. Along with 158 soldiers, seven civilians were also killed – including a diplomat, four aid workers, a government contractor and a journalist. More than 2,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces were injured while countless more continue to struggle with PTSD from their experiences there.

Joseph also paid tribute to the legion's Sergeant-at-Arms Justin McKay for his vision and tireless effort in making the monument a reality.