By Ragnar Haagen

Canadian mural honouring fallen soldiers tours Saskatchewan

Aug 10, 2011 | 12:02 PM

Canadian soldiers who have lost their lives in Afghanistan since the peacekeeping mission began in February 2002, have now been immortalized on a 10-by-40-foot mural.

The mural is called “Portraits of Honour,” and was started two-and-a-half years ago by artist Dave Sopha, in association with Kin Canada — a service organization made up of Canadian volunteers.

The exhibit has been touring the country since late May and will be in Saskatchewan for the month of August. It features the faces of 155 Canadian soldiers, sailors and aircrew who have lost their lives.

Two more faces — those of Bombardier Karl Manning and Master Corp. Francis Roy are currently being added.

“There has been an amazing response by Canadians,” said Sean Libin, national operations manager for the tour.

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“We've been to some very large places, but we've also been to some very small communities and the outpouring of emotion and patriotism has been amazing.”

When Libin started planning the national tour, he was concerned about the possibility of negative feedback from those who didn't agree with the Canadian Forces mission in Afghanistan. However, he said, that has not been the case.

“Whether it’s people standing on the side of the road with Canadian flags as we roll through town or people showing up to the ceremonies that we've attended (there have been no problems),” said Libin.

“It's kind of like we've been able to take that Highway of Heroes experience and bring it to Canadians that don't happen to live near the (Highway) 401.”

Libin said the most negative response he has gotten while out in tour came in Kelowna.

“I saw one guy give a thumbs down while we were riding in a police escort, I'd like to think he was giving it to the RCMP ahead of us,” laughed Libin.

“But, it's really been amazing, we've not had one sign or one heckle from the crowd. Canadians truly believe in our Canadian Forces. Whether they believe in the mission or not isn't for us to say but they definitely believe in the brave men and women who wear the Canadian Forces uniform and who make a voluntary decision to go to a part of the world that needs help.”

The Portraits of Honour tour has also been collecting donations that will go towards projects sponsoring the military and their families. While the group is still unsure how much funds will be raised or where the money may go, Libin has been looking into the many possibilities.

“We've already committed to the Military Families Fund and we are considering the Military Family Resource Center,” said Libin. “We will look at every one of those possibilities and make sure that they're doing the right service, that the money's going to the right place and in a timely fashion.”

After a gruelling schedule of 46 cities in just over two months, the tour group is taking a break before starting up again in Saskatoon.

If you want to view the mural or make a donation, the tour will be stopping in Spiritwood on Aug. 21 and Prince Albert on the 22.

For more information, you can visit the Portraits of Honour Website (portraitsofhonour.ca)

rhaagen@rawlco.com