​A moving ceremony was held at the Bronte Veterans Garden on Friday, June 15, 2012, where two of Canada’s fallen soldiers were honoured – Trooper Marc Diab from Mississauga, and Colonel Geoff Parker, an Oakville native and the highest ranking soldier to be killed in Afghanistan. 

The garden, an initiative of St. Dominic Catholic Elementary School’s Grade 7 and 8 students, is home to four plaques dedicated  to our fallen soldiers since the garden’s inception one year ago. On hand to mark this special occasion was the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Peter MacKay. In addition to honouring our fallen soldiers and their family members who were present that day, the Minister praised the efforts of the St. Dominic Catholic Elementary School students for their care and remembrance of our fallen soldiers and their sacrifice, through the establishment of the Bronte Veterans Garden. 

This message was repeated to the students by Member of Parliament for Oakville, Terence Young, who reminded the audience that thanks to our Canadian Forces, girls can now go to school in Afghanistan. Acting Mayor of Oakville, Marc Grant, Town Councillor Ralph Robinson, and Chair of the Halton Catholic District School Board, Alice Anne LeMay, spoke eloquently in honouring the sacrifices of the family of Trooper Diab and Colonel Parker.

Read the story published in the Oakville Beaver, or view additional photos on InsideHalton.com.