427 Squadron Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Clay Rook and honourary retired Colonel Del Lippert were each presented with a scroll from Township of Whitewater Region Mayor Hal Johnson on behalf of council.
The presentation was to thank them for bringing the 427 Squadron memorial cenotaph to Cobden Municipal Park, also known as Veterans Memorial Park.
“This is the most amazing thing that has happened in our municipality in some time,” Mayor Johnson said.
Prior to the presentation, he gave a brief background on how the cenotaph came to be at the township park.
Mr. Lippert has been involved with the armed forces, specifically 427 Squadron, for some time; and the 427 Squadron has been involved with Cobden for at least 50 years, he said. Every November 11, at the cenotaph in front of the municipal office, there are many men and women sporting the blue uniform of 427 Squadron.
He said the emblem of the squadron is a lion, going back to the original sponsor of the squadron, which was MGM Goldwyn-Mayer Studios. In 1942 in England, the studio sponsored the organization of an allied force on a base, he said.
“They defended our country and they still do defend our country,” Mayor Johnson said.
The monument is very prestigious and in a prominent location in Whitewater Region, he said.
“Things like this very seldom ever come to little municipalities and these two gentlemen are the spearhead of this monument,” he stated.
In presenting to Lt. Col. Rook, Mayor Johnson noted it’s a certificate of thanks, not only to him, but his regiment and their participation in Cobden over many years.
“We look forward to many, many more years with 427 tactical squadron,” Mayor Johnson said.
The presentation to HCol. Lippert was for “recognition of your work towards this program and the memorial and all your great help and your help of volunteering with many years with the Legion.
“On behalf of council and the Township of Whitewater Region, we say thank you.
“We have the only monument between Peggy’s Cove (in Nova Scotia) and Wawa, Ontario that you can see without leaving 17 highway.”
Lt. Col. Rook said it’s a privilege for the 427 Squadron to have the continued support of Whitewater Region.
“It’s means a lot to the unit,” he said. “Thank you for allowing us to place 427 Squadron memorial here in recognition of the Canadians who died for our freedom and democracy, as well as to recognize our current members who are serving up in Petawawa’s Special 427 Special Aviation Squadron, which is a world-class elite special ops unit within the Canadian Armed Forces.”
He noted while his certificate says participation, HCol. Lippert’s says leadership.
“That’s not a slight, it truly is the truth,” Lt. Col. Rook said. “Del Lippert was the spearhead behind this entire project. He raised the majority of the funds, he tackled all the bureaucracy that we faced, he organized necessary construction and he put the whole team together to make sure that the 427 memorial came through.
“Thank you Del for your leadership, not only in supporting the 427 special ops aviation squadron but also the Whitewater community.”
HCol. Lippert thanked everyone in Whitewater Region for their support in bringing the monument to a township park.
“When I came to council to ask for permission to put the cenotaph in Veterans Memorial Park, we got immediate unanimous support from council and throughout the whole project, total support.
“We even got help in shutting down the Trans Canada Highway, which of all the tasks was probably the most challenging one.”
However, the monument is not yet complete, HCol. Lippert said. There needs to be lighting added as well as a few more bronze plaques, which explains the squadron and lists the donors of the project.
He thanked Krueger Signs in Cobden who erected plaques, and will erect the new plaques, as well as the lighting fixtures.
HCol. Lippert noted the Cobden and District Civitan Club is paying for the lighting of the monument.
“Thank you to all who were involved,” he said, adding, “Because of your help, we are able to accomplish it all.”
