For Hawtin, remembrance is personal. She lost a cousin who never came home from Afghanistan — a loss that deepened her connection to the day.
“This little bit of remembrance is what I can give to him,” she said. “But it’s for everyone — for our veterans of all the world wars and the recent ones. There’s a lot of turmoil in the world that those folks keep us protected from.”
Volunteer Barb Heidt, who helped initiate the project alongside Hawtin, said the crosswalk stands as both a tribute and a teaching tool.
“Most of my family came back from the war, but I know some people that have served and have not come back. That’s what it means to me, to remember them and what they’ve done for us.”
The initiative, supported by Branch 70, was again fueled by community generosity. 306 Paint and Shades supplied the paint, Home Hardware North Battleford donated tools, and Century 21 Prairie Elite volunteered its staff.
“Last year, you’ll notice the paint didn’t last all that long because we painted in the cold,” Hawtin said.
“[Oct. 10] is really the last nice day of the year. We wanted it ready before Remembrance Day [Nov. 11] — and hopefully this time it’ll stay longer.”
Among those helping were Inspector Ryan How, commander of the Battlefords RCMP, and his daughter Sadie.
“Having travelled through much of France and Germany and seen how Canadians are respected over there, that really brings it home to me,” he said.
“The sacrifices our veterans have made — RCMP included — are really important, and it’s extremely valuable for our RCMP members to be part of this.”
Sadie believes gestures like this stand as a constant reminder.
“It’s easy to forget about things,” she said. “Doing little things like this keeps the respect going.”
“The older generation needs to continue doing this so the younger ones can pass it down.”
Across the river later that day, the same spirit took shape in red and white stripes on another street — a second-year tribute led by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 9 in the Town of Battleford, at the crosswalk between 2nd Avenue West and 23rd Street behind the Home Hardware Building Centre.
Here too, brushes traced gratitude into pavement, linking neighbours, students and veterans through colour and memory.
“It’s just to show our respect for the veterans and let them know that we appreciate them fighting for our freedom,” said Deanna Beasse, who helped launch the effort alongside Paula Kulyk, a former Branch 9 president.
“If we don’t keep [the kids] involved, sooner or later everybody will forget.”
Kulyk said the sight of families and youth working side by side has become its own lesson.
“Last year after we painted the crosswalk, teachers said it was making kids ask questions,” she noted.
“Hopefully this year, the kids will ask more questions and they’ll actually want to learn the history of Battleford here and the part that we played in the war.”
Twelve-year-old Jairah Forrest, one of the youngest volunteers, said helping paint the crosswalk made her think about the meaning behind the day.
“It’s good to remember how peace is good for everyone, and to cherish the moments of your life with people.”
Kulyk said that the message feels even more urgent as conflicts continue abroad.
“We’re not out of that world yet,” she said.
“There are still kids and young people being called into service. I’m thankful for our youth who are stepping up and enlisting, and the younger ones who are asking questions — because they’re our future, they’re our future protectors.”
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