A case of vandalism on the LAV memorial next to the Nose Creek Valley Museum has convinced some members of the Airdrie Legion that security cameras are needed to properly protect the memorial.

Bill Drummond of the Airdrie Legion said the movement originally started with the actions of two men.

"Certainly security cameras of some kind. What happened was that not long after the incident happened (...), two guys contacted me and said they would like to put up $100 each to (put towards) a reward if they could find this person that did this. And I said 'just hold on guys, hold on. I don't know if we'll ever be able to find them and I don't know if putting up a reward is a good idea'. In the meantime, what they've done is they've both walked into the club here, into the legion, and said 'here's $100 towards buying security cameras'."

After that, Drummond said they only had one choice.

"We're going to start a movement to raise some funds to buy at least one security camera."

Security cameras, as it turns out, are not inexpensive. However, Drummond believes that, with small donations, they can hopefully get at least one camera.

"There are security cameras in the museum but there's nothing outside. We're not expecting everyone to put hundreds of dollars in but if people would chip in twenty bucks or whatever because these cameras are quite expensive. In fact, city hall has been dealing with me so far and trying to negotiate how we can do this and what it's going to cost us. We're just very much in the initial stages right now."

Drummond explained that the case of vandalism still resonates strongly with some Legion members.

"I'm just sitting talking to some of the boys in the club right now and they are just still so upset about what happened with the LAV. It wasn't funny."

He said it was out of respect that they do something like this to prevent the vandalism from ever happening again.

"I think no matter what, we have to do something to keep faith with the people who gave their life for our country. These people when they went out and served us, they did what they had to do, and some person (...) had the audacity to deface the memorial in their name. And I find that atrocious."

Drummond believes the camera will be a step towards prevention.

"If we can put up some kind of security camera, it may stop them from doing that again or try to do it again. Hopefully, it will."

Drummond advised anyone wanting to donate to contact the Legion in Airdrie.

"They can just hand in money to the legion here, the Royal Canadian Legion #288. Post it to the branch here."

 

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