Veterans Way remains every bit as relevant today

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This article was published 01/11/2018 (2778 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Launched in 2005, Veterans Way serves as a daily reminder of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

Originally known as Provincial Highway 457 and stretching from Brandon to Cottonwood, the project to rename the highway was initiated by former Legion Branch No. 3 president Charles Carlson.

“It was a long time coming, and once it was completed we were happy,” Carlson said last week. “It’s a reminder to wear a poppy in remembrance of those who gave their lives and that was the motivation.”

Carlson managed to see his vision through to the end, with some help along the way. Scotty McIntosh, former RM of Cornwallis reeve, played a pivotal role in the highway’s re-naming, by providing whatever support he could toward the cause.

“When one thinks of the thousands and thousands of veterans who have travelled this road, it’s mind boggling,” McIntosh told The Brandon Sun in 2005.

The original location for a Veterans Way was in Brandon, spanning one block at 21st Street and Ottawa Avenue.

Carlson felt that the spot did not match the magnitude of the veteran stories it was set to honour, saying that the 15-kilometre highway to Shilo seemed like a more fitting tribute.

He spoke with then- Brandon mayor Dave Burgess the day before the dedication ceremony, requesting that an alternative spot be explored.

Burgess went to look at the original spot and called Carlson back within the hour.

“He said, ‘You know what, I don’t think that’s appropriate,’ so they cancelled that dedication and we started to proceed with this,” Carlson said.

Veterans Way now serves as the most direct line from Brandon to Shilo.

The Brandon section of the roadway spans from the 1A to the Cornwallis offices —a portion of the road that was approved and renamed by Brandon City Council.

Under the purview of the provincial government, the balance of the road stretching to Highway 434 proved a more challenging task to rename. It took about two years to have a deal worked out with the government to have it christened Veterans Way.

The road was officially renamed Veterans Way at a formal ceremony at CFB Shilo, where signs bearing a red poppy and the name were unveiled and baptized with holy water.

The roadway now serves as a way to remember veterans of the past, present and future, reminding people of their sacrifices, Carlson said —especially at this time of this year.

Signs marking Veterans Way proved to be the most expensive aspects of the project, with one sitting at each end of the roadway — a set that cost approximately $5,000 at the time.

The community rallied together, with help from the local Legion. Using raffles, bake sales and private donations, the project was able to come to fruition.

Since the roadway’s dedication more than a decade ago, Carlson said that he has had a number of veterans coming up to him to thank him for the intiative.

As a main thoroughfare, Carlson hopes to see the road maintained into the future as a continuous reminder of the sacrifices made by past and contemporary veterans.

“November is getting closer, and we always like to remember,” Carlson said.

»ckemp@brandonsun.com

»Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp