Wait for Me Daddy war memorial sculpture revealed on October 4^th at Hyack Square

New Westminster, BC—When the City of New Westminster decided to commission a sculpture based on Vancouver Province photographer Claude P. Dettloff’s famous 1940s picture, Wait for Me Daddy, they felt strongly that this iconic photograph should be memorialized where the photo was captured.  That Canada Post is also unveiling a stamp and The Royal Canadian Mint a $2 coin based on the image captured in New Westminster confirms the City’s vision was on track.

"I believe that the Wait For Me Daddy war memorial will be as timeless as the original photo, particularly since the image continues to resonate with people of all generations, locally, nationally and around the world,” said Mayor Wayne Wright.  “With the monument located near the spot where the photo was taken, we’re creating a vibrant city centre as a legacy.” 

Internationally acclaimed artists Veronica and Edwin Dam de Nogales were selected over 15 other artists to create the memorial, in a juried process overseen by the Mayor’s Wait For Me Daddy Task Force.  “In the two years since we began this, our approach was to create a piece which will act as a beacon to bridge the past with the future. Our hope is that viewers appreciate the subtle echoings of the architecture of the new Anvil Centre in its geometric form within an image captured from the past. We are thrilled with the outcome, we hope everyone else will be too,” said Veronica and Edwin Dam de Nogales.

Event Day, Saturday, October 4:

11:00 am:  Official Unveilings: Canada Post stamp, Royal Canadian Mint $2 coin and Wait for Me Daddy war memorial

Whitey Bernard, the man whose boyhood longing is captured in the photograph will unveil the never-before-seen sculpture. The Canada Post stamp and the Royal Canadian Mint $2 coin will also be unveiled.  Among special guests attending are veterans from the regiment on that day, Rifleman Charles Bernhardt, Rifleman Henry Kriwokon, and Claude P. Dettloff’s grandchildren, Candace and Scott Macpherson.

12:30 – 3:30 pm:  Family friendly activities at Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia Street:

• Opening of Wait For Me Daddy Museum Exhibit
• Canada Post first day sale of Wait For Me Daddy commemorative stamp
• Toonie exchange – bring an old Toonie and get a Wait For Me Daddy Toonie
• Visual Art Exhibit by local artists based on the theme of the photograph
• Vintage car display (outside)

7:30 pm Monument lighting ceremony by the New Westminster Police Department

For more information, please visit www.waitformedaddy.com

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Media Contact:

Ruby Campbell
Community Projects Coordinator
604 515 3821