Wait for Me Daddy War Memorial Sculpture unveiling is drawing local, national and international attention

New Westminster – People from far and wide are coming to witness and celebrate the unveiling of the Wait for Me Daddy War Memorial sculpture, based on Claude P. Dettloff’s  photograph which captured a moment in time and became one of the most enduring images of WWII, in Canada and around the world.

“This started out as an idea and it kept on gaining momentum. It has touched so many people on so many levels.  The power of the image continues to resonate in the hearts and minds of Canadians,” said Mayor Wayne Wright. “We are proud to pay tribute to the sacrifice of the many Canadian soldiers and families, past and present, who remind us all that we stand on this soil in a peaceful and prosperous country because others have given much to make this possible.”

Special guests attending the event include World War II veterans from the regiment on that day, Rifleman Charles Bernhardt and Rifleman Henry Kriwokon.

Also attending:

• Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia- Judith Guichon
• Lieutenant-Colonel Christa Oppers-Beumer, Defence Department, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands
• Deepak Chopra, President and Chief Executive Officer of Canada Post

• Marc Brûlé, Interim President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint
• Whitey Bernard (the boy in the photo)
• Candace and Scott Macpherson (Claude P. Dettloff’s grandchildren)

To honour this moment in our history, Canada Post is issuing a stamp that will be available for sale for the first time at the unveiling event. In addition, the Royal Canadian Mint has designed a two dollar coin featuring the famous image and will swap old two dollar coins for Wait for Me Daddy coins at the event.

When: Saturday, October 4^th @ 11:00 am

Where: Hyack Square, New Westminster

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Media contact:

Ruby Campbell
City of New Westminster
Ph: 778 773 2956
rcampbell@newwestcity.ca