Five trades departments at the College of New Caledonia are working with the Prince George branch of the Royal Canadian Legion to build and repair a number of flagpoles in preparation for Remembrance Day on Friday.
CNC welding students will build 161 aluminum flag poles - each representing a veteran who lost a life while serving in Afghanistan plus several for veterans with local connections who tragically passed away after serving in Afghanistan.
The metal fabrication students will build the metal bases for the flagpoles, the automotive students will sandblast the poles' bases that are in need of repair and repainting, the motor vehicle body repair students will repaint the bases and the carpentry students will build storage units to protect the poles and bases from future damage.
The materials are all either being donated by the community or they are being paid for by the Legion.
A new flagpole and base have been built for this year's Remembrance Day ceremony as a working prototype.
The rest of the work will be completed after the Remembrance Day ceremonies.
Tanis Trottier is the welding and metal fabrication instructor, Ross Pullan is the carpentry instructor, Bill Duetch is the automotive instructor, and Byron Hayashi is the motor vehicle body repair instructor.
Joe Elliott, executive veteran with the Prince George Legion, approached CNC for assistance with the project.
"The CNC welding department is honored to work with the Legion on the fabrication of flag poles for Remembrance Day," said CNC welding instructor Tanis Trottier.
"It's hard to quantify how a piece of wood and a cherished name can stir such deep seated emotions of someone's sacrifice, in this age of instant gratification, somehow everything we are, is owed to what they were," said Elliott.
"We are very grateful to the college and P.G. Custom Woodworking for taking the time to help us acknowledge the sacrifices that were made for our freedoms."
