A new Eastern Passage Fisherman's Memorial Monument will be unveiled on Saturday, Sept. 25th at McCormack's Beach.
Almost three years in the planning, the memorial will stand as a testiment to the rich fishing history of the community, said Christa Webber, member of the Memorial Monument Committee.
"It has been a long time coming," said Webber. "Eastern Passage need to pay homage not only to the fishermen themselves, but to the proud culture that surrounds us."
Webber responded to an ad placed in the The Beacon three years ago asking residents to join a committee to look into the possibility of creating a memorial. She said she knew right away the memorial was an excellent idea, and that her experience planning the monument for local teen Kerri-Lea Dixon would be a help too.
A committee was quickly formed and they began their work through fundraising. The former Tourism Minister Bill Dooks gave a $20,000 donation to the fund, which was enough incentive to continue with the project, said Webber.
"We had organized an auction and Mr. Dooks surprised us with the cheque at the end of the auction," she said. "So, in total, after we tallied the raised funds at the auction, we had $25,000 to spend on the monument."
Then came the work of canvassing the community for ideas. The committee's chairman, Scott Wheeler, had great support from the Eastern Passage Cow Bay Firefighters Association and put many hours into sifting through the submissions, pouring over possible sites and working with local officials.
In the end they accepted three ideas for what would eventually be put on the monument itself. Webber said they looked for positive, uplifting submissions and chose the best ones without knowing who submitted them.
" We didn't want it to be a sad memorial, or one that included all the names of the dead, but rather an inspiring monument that we felt best reflected what Eastern Passage is all about," she said.
The exact words of the submissions cannot be revealed prior to the unveiling, but Webber said the monument will be a granite structure that will include artwork and inspirational messages that reflect not only the Passage's fishing heritage itself, but also the joy, sorrow and challenges that the community has shared.
"It will stand for what is true and honest in a community," said Webber. "And I hope it gives a rejuvenated sense of pride in the community. There is too much emphasis on crime and who did what to who. This monument will help get us to back to basics and back to what is truly important."
Webber said she hopes it will be more than a monument. She said the values on which the community was founded will now be on display for all to see.
"We should trust one another," she said. "During the process leading up to this unveiling we have learned to trudge on in the face of obstacles, especially regarding where the monument would be placed. But in the end we were able to turn this vision into reality."
The monument will sit on property owned by DNR and will be sitting on a base that will face true north, said Webber.
"If it wasn't for the people of this community nothing would have been done," she said. "I am looking forward to the ceremony."
Over the next few weeks Webber said people should expect to see the north end of the parking lot cordoned off, excavation of the hole and prep work being done on the surrounding ground near the boardwalk adjacent to Fisherman's Cove Interpretive Centre.
The unveiling ceremony will be on Sept. 25 at 11 am, rain or shine. There will be refreshments and a few short speeches by Coun. Jackie Barkhouse, MLA Becky Kent and a representative from the Department of Natural Resources.
"We want the whole community to come out," said Webber. "It will not be a long ceremony, but will be fun. After all, this community has waited long enough."
IF YOU GO
WHAT: Monument Unveiling
WHEN: Sept. 25, 11a.m., rain or shine
WHERE: McCormack's Beach parking lot
