A visit to a Saint John veterans facility sparked a project that now fills the pages of a new 348 page book. Garth Zwicker spent 12 years gathering stories for They Live On in Memory: The Tantramar Veterans Banner Project. The Tantramar Heritage Trust launches the collection this Sunday at the Sackville Legion.

A Saint John Connection

The initiative began when Zwicker visited his father at the Ridgewood Veterans Facility in Saint John. His father served in the Korean War and lived with Alzheimer disease. During a visit, Zwicker attended the unveiling of 32 veteran banners. He decided to bring a similar tribute to his adopted home in the Tantramar region.

He initially hoped to hang 10 banners. The community responded quickly, producing 16 in the first year. Today, nearly 250 banners line the streets of Sackville, Dorchester, and surrounding areas. Zwicker estimates the region holds the potential for over 400 banners.

Uncovering Local History

Zwicker grew up in Oromocto as a military brat. He understood the importance of military service but knew little about Tantramar history when he started.

“The more I went along in this project, the more I became aware of how much military service there had been in this town, particularly during World War II,” Zwicker told CBC News.

He asked families to provide a story about their veteran for the project. These stories range from factual accounts to deeply personal memories. One family shared how their veteran returned home and always insisted on dry socks, a direct result of enduring mud and water overseas.

“The families wrote the book,” Zwicker said. “That is your community basically telling you a little bit about their personal history.”

Making History Real

Many veterans stayed silent about their wartime experiences. Zwicker experienced this firsthand.

“My father never told us anything about his experiences in Korea,” he said.

He encourages readers to take their time with the new book. He wants you to read the stories and imagine what life was like for the people on those pages.

For families like Allison Butcher, the banners serve a vital purpose. Both her father and her partner’s father served in the Second World War. The banners help her two daughters connect with their grandfathers.

“It is a way for us to keep memory alive of a time when terrible things happened and the people who made sacrifices to try and keep our way of life secure and safe,” Butcher said. “So it was a way to make him real for them.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Tantramar Veterans Banner Project?

It is a community initiative that displays banners honoring local veterans on the streets of Sackville, Dorchester, and surrounding areas.

Who started the banner project?

Garth Zwicker started the project 12 years ago after seeing a similar display at the Ridgewood Veterans Facility in Saint John.

Where can I find the stories behind the banners?

The stories are compiled in a new 348 page book titled They Live On in Memory: The Tantramar Veterans Banner Project.

When does the book launch?

The Tantramar Heritage Trust launches the book this Sunday at the Sackville Legion.