On September 27, 2025, I emailed the Municipality of Eastern Charlotte’s council to request the installation of a veterans’ sidewalk near the St. George Post Office. After all, other communities throughout the Province of New Brunswick have done the same, and it was time for us, all of us, to step up and once again pay tribute to our veterans. One can dream, can’t they?
Each year, as our veterans’ banners are installed on telephone poles throughout the Town of St. George, I pause to remember the late Robert Melanson (1949-2019). Through our conversations and newspaper stories, I recall his dream. The dream, sown during a visit to a town in Pennsylvania, came to fruition in October 2013 when the first veteran banners were raised. Robert then saw his dream spread from coast to coast, and in many other communities, as others saw it and did their own Veteran Banners.
Therefore, a veterans sidewalk sounded like a simple dream.
Then, on December 12, 2025, the Municipality of Eastern Charlotte posted a “News Release” with the opening remark as follows: “In mid-November, the war memorial that was located in the plaza in front of the St. George post office was removed due to safety concerns with the structural integrity of the monument.”
The St. George War Memorial, unveiled by the Downtown Business Association in 1992, has stood ever since in front of the St George Post Office, dedicated to the local war dead – fourteen World War I, twenty-one World War II, and one Korean War.
Furthermore, in the said “News Release,” the closing sentence is non-committal: “Over this winter [winter is over, isn’t it?], Council will determine where the monument will be relocated in St. George. There are currently three locations under review, including the return of the monument to its original spot. The monument will also be thoroughly cleaned.”
The said memorial was removed on November 18, 2025 – still awaiting its return – without any input from the community, especially given talk of reloc
On November 23, 2005 (rumours run faster then news releases), I sent a request to the Municipality of Eastern Charlotte’s council seeking to have two additional names added, namely:
1) LAC Frederick McCLANAGHAN (R/126158) – A St. George native who served with 236th McLean’s Highland
On February 6, 1943, McClanaghan was admitted to the Station Hospital at No. 34 Operational Training Unit, Pennfield Ridge at 0600 hours. After a brief illness, he died at 1840 hours. Eight fellow-workers from the RCAF served as pallbearers, with the Last Post sounded by two members of the Royal Air Force (RAF) as he was laid to rest at St. George Rural Cemetery with the funeral service conducted by S/L The Rev. C.W. MANN (GB67571).
2) Pte. LeRoy Kenneth DODDS (G/17644) – A St. George native who, during World War II, served with the Carleton & York Regiment as a Clerk from November 20, 1939, to October 27, 1945. Sent overseas December 9, 1939, aboard SS Monarch of Bermuda; granted permission to marry in August 1941, with his only child, a daughter, born in August 1942. On October 26, 1945, as noted in his Service File, pending discharge from active service, “Has a job awaiting him as caretaker [Range Warden] of Utopia Range.”. He was still working as a civilian employee at Camp Utopia when he died from a coronary thrombosis at his St. George residence on August 6, 1946. His widow and young daughter returned to England in April 1947.
A letter dated August 1, 1947, to his mother says: “As the death of your son was related to his service in the Canadian Army (Active)…”. There are similar notations found within his Service File – the cut-off date for being a casualty of World War II is December 31, 1947.
At the Municipality of Eastern Charlotte’s council meeting on June 17, 2026, six months and 30 days after the removal of the St. George War Memorial, I received verbal confirmation from Eastern Charlotte’s CAO that the two additional names, namely LAC Frederick McCLANAGHAN (R/126158) and Pte. LeRoy Kenneth DODDS (G/17644), were added to the said memorial. I was even referred to as “Mr. Larsen” instead of the usual “someone”.
Furthermore, Deputy Mayor Adam R. Hatt proposed returning the St. George War Memorial to its original location from 1992. The motion passed unanimously!
It’s refreshing to know that at least one of today’s leaders remembers t
A major victory.
Still, some ask why it’s important to remember events that took place so long ago. I simply say that those who served from the Town of St. George (and elsewhere) are ordinary, yet extraordinary people – individuals who dedicated some of their life’s most vital years to serve their country and who sacrificed their ambitions so others wouldn’t have to sacrifice theirs. So, when they pass on from this life and move on to their final post, the community mourns because we have lost a beloved son or daughter.
The last World War II Veteran the Town of St. George lost was Norman Leroy (Normie) Seamans, who died on October 9, 2017. Time passes quickly on the wings of time, but many in Charlotte County still remember Normie.
So, as we raise our glasses to celebrate one hurdle cleared, we must keep moving forward before another winter exposes the St. George Plaza once again. Since 1992, during the winter months, the memorial has stood proudly in the plaza, adding a burst of color against a cold, icy, snowy backdrop. Even in our darkest days, the memorial serves as a reminder that better days are still ahead.
Now, as we move forward, we are encouraged by our veterans, past and present, who gently remind us not to rest easy – rest only comes once the St. George War Memorial returns its rightful place of honour in front of the St. George Post Office.
A veteran’s sidewalk can wait.
Christian Larsen currently serves as President of Pennfield Parish Military Historical Society. He has been actively involved in researching the genealogical & military history of Pennfield Parish for nearly four decades. From 2009 until 2017 he hosted the annual Pennfield Ridge War Memorial Services. Recognized at the provincial & federal levels for his work with Veterans having been awarded the Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012); Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee Medal (2023); Minister of Veteran Affairs Commendation (2024) & King Charles III’s Coronation Medal (2025). He can be reached at: ppmhsociety@gmail.com
