New student-designed mural at GFL Memorial Gardens honours veterans past and present (5 photos)

Thursday marked the official unveiling of a mural, located in the GFL Memorial Gardens lobby, dedicated to honouring Canadian veterans past and present.

The mural, as well as other artwork displayed in other parts of the arena, was produced by Algoma District School Board (ADSB) students.

No less than 40 students submitted their artistic ideas, the ideas of three students ultimately chosen by a committee of GFL Memorial Gardens staff, Future SSM, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25, the Algoma Veterans Association, the Soo Greyhounds and the ADSB.

The main veterans mural was produced by Tylar, a local Grade 12 student.

Along with Tylar, Magnolia Lui of Korah and Braxton Blake of White Pines were chosen to produce hockey-related artwork for the Gardens Hockey Hall of Fame.

“I was kind of surprised to be chosen,” Tylar smiled, speaking to SooToday.

“I already knew a lot about veterans but I still learned a lot doing this mural. They fought for our freedom. I feel they’ve had a big impact on society and how we shouldn’t take everything for granted,” said Tylar, who plans on studying graphic design.

Elements of the mural, placed above the plaques listing the names of Sault and area veterans who lost their lives in both World Wars, Korea and Afghanistan, include a large poppy, a Second World War RCAF Lancaster bomber, a Hercules transport plane, and silhouettes of three military figures, past and present, male and female.  

“It was an honour to be part of such a fantastic idea. I would like to thank the students for their wonderful work they designed. It was hard to figure out which one we were going to pick,” said Frank Iezzi, Algoma Veterans Association president, speaking to an audience gathered at the GFL Memorial Gardens Bumbacco Room.

“It’s fantastic,” Iezzi said, speaking to SooToday.

“It’s good to see veterans from the Algoma Veterans Association here today,” said Iezzi, an Afghanistan war veteran, reiterating his hope for a retreat to be established for modern day veterans in the Sault and Algoma area.

“I think the mural’s beautiful. I love it. It’s good to see they’re remembering all veterans. I come here to the Gardens occasionally to walk, so it’ll be nice every time I walk by to look at the mural and the wall with the names on it, to reflect,” said Domenic Anelli, a Sault native who was injured while serving with the Canadian Army in Afghanistan in 2010.

Anelli served as a combat engineer on the front lines with the task of finding and neutralizing enemy land mines.

“I’m very pleased with the mural. It’s a beautiful piece of work. It was a tough decision to pick which of the students ideas would be put on the wall. It was a great concept, great to see the kids not only doing the art but marketing it to the sponsors. We wanted that ‘veterans old and the new’ aspect and the poppy as well. It’s simple and straightforward,” said Debbie Rouleau, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 25 public relations officer.

“The proud history and sense of pride for this site was the idea for this project. We hope to create more awareness of, and traffic to, the Gardens and make it a destination for viewing throughout the course of the year, showcasing this location by enhancing some of the walls of the Gardens to help show off the facility and further engage users and visitors,” said Rob Santa Maria, GFL Memorial Gardens manager.

A number of sponsors backed the project with needed art materials, including the Soo Greyhounds, Soo Video TV Sales and Service, Savoy’s Jewellers, McMillan Carpet and Compass Imaging.