The Lacombe and District Historical Society will be making some changes and additions this Remembrance Day. 

For the first time, last year the organization erected 100 crosses just outside of the Michener House Museum. However, due to the new Learning Garden that has been placed just outside of the historical home, the display will be moving. 

“We were not able to have enough space to do all 100 crosses like we did last year. We have actually partnered with the Lacombe Legion and with the Scouts and Girl Guides troops in Lacombe. The Scouts and Girl Guides are helping set up the crosses at the Lacombe Legion they'll be set up on the Lacombe Legion property. We are setting up twenty of our own at the Michener House as well to still kind of give that feel of a field of process,” explained Blunden. 

The 100 crosses represent the lives lost in the first World War, the second World War, the Afghanistan War and the Korean War. However, Blunden says the actual number of lives lost is up for debate. 

“For the most part, when it comes to our veterans anyways, we have the honor roll that has been given to us by the Lacombe Legion as well as Veterans, Canada. We do a lot of research, just based on the names that are there and we can cross reference that with our history books that were made in the 70’s and 80’s as well as with the names that are on the cenotaph,” explained Blunden. 

New exhibition at the Flat Iron Building 

In addition to the outdoor display, Lacombe’s Flat Iron Building Museum will be hosting a ‘Portraits of War’ exhibition.

“The exhibit, as the title may suggest, is focusing on stories of local soldiers.  We have soldiers, not just from the city of Lacombe region, but the entire Lacombe County and we're focusing on stories of them who they were, where they came from, where they were in the battles, what battles they saw, and if they made it home,” explained Blunden. 

A display to commemorate the ten-year anniversary of the passing of Master Corporal Byron Garth Greff who was killed in Afghanistan in 2011 at the age of 28 has also been made in his honour. 

Master Corporal Byron Garth Greff. File photo.

“We do have a tribute for him up as well. That was with permission from his family and we talked with them about what we could do, and so we're excited to be able to have that that part up as well,” added Blunden. 

Blunden says there will be a virtual portion to the exhibition as well as artifacts from the Michener House Museum. She added that there are also a couple of items that will add a bit of an interactive experience to the exhibition. 

The ‘Portraits of War’ will be running from November 5th until December 23rd and is open Wednesday to Saturday, 10 AM until 4 PM. The Flat Iron Museum will also be open on Remembrance Day.