Disgraceful is how a Calgary man with family ties to the First World War and Second World War describes the condition of a war memorial — the cenotaph — located at 12th Avenue and 4th Street SW.
“The denigration of the monument has occurred over some years and it’s being misused and disrespected,” Lawrence Oshanek alleges.
Oshanek’s father served in both World Wars and both have military ties and Oshanek says the issue is close to his heart.
“These young men died for our freedoms and it’s simply disgraceful.”
Among the problems, Oshanek claims, is that wreaths have been laying on the monument since Christmas 2008 — when they should be removed — and city workers park on the grounds.
City of Calgary parks official Doug Marter said he is aware of incidents of workers parking in the area but said they were told to remove their cars right away.
“Part of the problem is the park is in the middle of major redevelopment, and they are working there. It’s a closed construction site,” he said, adding the work would be done in spring 2010.
Oshanek contacted Ward 12 Ald. Ric McIver who said he will look into the concerns further.
