New memorial for Marysvale Town remembers war dead from community and neighbouring Georgetown DENISE PIKE The Compass

Denise Pike photos/The Compass

A monument bearing the names of 10 soldiers from the Conception Bay North area who made the ultimate sacrifice in the First, Second and Korean wars was officially dedicated in Marysvale last week.

The cenotaph, located on the community's Heritage grounds, is the first of its kind in the town.

"This is our way of paying tribute to 10 young soldiers from Marysvale and Georgetown who died while serving their country. It's our way of saying how grateful we are and that we'll always remember them," said Hope Hedderson who emceed the unveiling.

The monument bears the names of World War 1 soldiers James Moriarity, John Moriarity, Patrick Ryan, Joseph Bartlett, George Youden, Thomas Youden and World War 2 soldiers Michael Ryan, Michael Power and William Shea.

It also displays the name of Korean soldier Thomas Hedderson, the older brother of Tom Hedderson Harbour Main MHA and minister of Fisheries. Hedderson, along with Rodney Mercer, president of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 65, Brigus, unveiled the new war memorial just in time for the annual Nov. 11 Remembrance Day ceremonies.

The fisheries minister's older brother died in the Korean War 56 years ago. One year later Hedderson was born and given his name.

In an interview with The Telegram last week Hedderson said "I wasn't a replacement for him, don't get me wrong, but of course I guess in his memory I was named Thomas Joseph as his name was Thomas Joseph," Hedderson said adding that Tom Sr. loomed large in his life.

"Obliviously I never met my brother, but I heard stories about him. He was a very strong man, a tall man. Evidently he was a sharp shooter with a very keen eye."

The older Tom was the eldest of 19 children; the fisheries minister was the youngest. Hedderson said his brother was in a valley in Korea, which was surrounded by enemy forces and attacked. His body is buried in Korea, but his name is now displayed on the monument in Marysvale, where the elder Tom was born and raised.

Hedderson said being able to lay a wreath on the monument bearing his brother's name made the event more meaningful.

According to Bride Power, chairwoman of the Turks Gut Heritage Conservation, construction to the memorial began this past July and wound up a few weeks ago

"This monument has been a long time coming," says Power. "We, (members of the Turks Gut Heritage Conservation committee) always said once we got incorporated constructing a memorial would be one of the first things we would do for the people in the community. When driving through other communities and towns I always noticed their war memorials and felt it was a wonderful way to acknowledge and show respect to the soldiers who fought in past wars. I felt the men of Marysvale and Georgetown deserved to be shown that same recognition and respect. These are all young men that went to war and never came back, many of them still have relatives living in the area."

Following the unveiling hundreds of people showed up in Marysvale to see the first wreaths being placed during the Remembrance Day ceremony.

"I was so pleased with the number of people who came out for the event," said Power. "I was really nervous that not many people would attend, but I was wrong. There were lots of organizations and plenty of young people present which really made it all meaningful. I was also worried about the weather conditions too, but it was perfect, even the wind cooperated. It wasn't too windy, just enough of a breeze to keep the flags flowing. It was all so colourful."

dpike@cbncompass.ca