Honouring soldiers

It is a wall of honour …and it’s gaining a lot of attention in Shelburne.

At Goulden’s Shell Station in Shelburne people often stop and stare at the wall of soldier’s faces. They are members of Canada’s Armed Forces stationed in Afghanistan …and they all come from Shelburne County or have close ties to the area.

Helen Goulden says it all started with a photo of her nephew Frank Hallett, who was serving in the war torn country.

“It kind of mushroomed from there,” she said.

The station adds photos to the window from time to time as people inform them of others from the county serving in Afghanistan.

“We know we’re missing at least one …a Madden from Port LaTour,” said Goulden. “We’re working to get that one.”

The window of photos has caused a lot of attention, and Goulden says one customer who was visiting from Ontario was deeply touched by the effort.

“Her son was killed in Afghanistan,” explained Goulden. “She was very pleased to see us honoring our soldiers.”

She noted that the effort to honour local soldiers has been a community one, with assistance from many people to gather photos and information.

The soldiers pictured on the station’s window include Lt. Col. H Colin MacKay, Padre Sheila Firth-Warland, Sgt. Frank Hallett, Master Cpl. Dwayne Williams, Sgt. Dave Camp, Capt. Jason Chetwyd, Cpl. A.E. Seegmiller, Cpl. Clay George, Master Bombadier Robert Jofre and Cpl. Ben Dominie.

There are also other businesses in the area with similar tributes to local soldiers including at Karen Matatall’s barber shop in Shelburne.