HIGHWAY 2 DESIGNATED \"VETERANS MEMORIAL HIGHWAY\"

Released on November 10, 2005

Highway 2 between Moose Jaw and Prince Albert has been named "Veterans Memorial Highway" as a permanent tribute to Saskatchewan veterans.

This designation was announced at the Service of Remembrance in memory of Saskatchewan Public Service Employees who have given their lives in war, held today at the Legislature. The Veterans Memorial Highway sign was unveiled by Premier Lorne Calvert, Highways and Transportation Minister Eldon Lautermilch and Past Provincial President of the Royal Canadian Legion, Saskatchewan Command, John Henderson. The service also included the presentation of the Saskatchewan Centennial Medal to 14 veterans by Lieutenant Governor Lynda Haverstock.

The highway designation coincides with Veterans Week (Nov. 5th-11th) and is one of several significant honours bestowed to veterans in 2005, The Year of the Veteran.

"It is essential to preserve the memory of what veterans have done for our province and country," Calvert said. "The designation of Veterans Memorial Highway serves as a perpetual visual tribute, demonstrating the entire province's deep respect and admiration for the sacrifices and contributions they have made."

"We were honoured to accommodate the request of the Royal Canadian Legion, Saskatchewan Provincial Command and the Saskatchewan Remembers Committee to rename this portion of Highway 2," Lautermilch added. "It is a mark of distinction befitting the men and women who have served their country so admirably."

"The Provincial Command of The Royal Canadian Legion Saskatchewan has long looked forward to the naming of the highway," Henderson said. "Being a veteran of World War II and now the Immediate Past Provincial President of Saskatchewan Command, The Royal Canadian Legion, what a wonderful time to have this accomplishment, especially with this being the Year of the Veteran."

Highway 2 from Moose Jaw to Prince Albert is a corridor with significant ties to Saskatchewan's history of military service. In addition to several existing Legion branches along the route at Moose Jaw, Penzance-Holdfast, Young-Zelma, Watrous, Simpson and Prince Albert, the Watrous Legion has a museum of Saskatchewan military history and the Prince Albert Branch is one of the oldest Legions in Canada boasting a significant display of artifacts. Moose Jaw's Legion is famous for its beautiful murals, and Moose Jaw is the home of Saskatchewan's 15 Wing military base, which has a rich history of pilot training that began in the early 1920s.

Approximately 100 signs will be installed along the corridor's entire length at each major access point to the highway and at other appropriate locations during the spring of 2006. To raise awareness about the Veterans Memorial Highway, the Royal Canadian Legion, Saskatchewan Command plans to actively promote the corridor through a variety of written materials.

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For More Information, Contact:

Kirsten Leatherdale Highways and Transportation Regina Phone: (306) 787-8484 Cell: (306) 536-9692	Maureen Boyle Government Relations Regina Phone: (306) 787-5959
Brent Burns Royal Canadian Legion, Saskatchewan Command Regina Phone: (306) 525-8739