Portraits of Honor

Residents were given a special chance to say thank you on Wednesday, Sept. 21 when a gut-wrenching mural passed through town.

The Portraits of Honour tour stopped at the Recplex in High River and gave locals an opportunity to gaze into the eyes of 157 men and women who gave their lives in Afghanistan.

The oil painting stands 10 feet tall and 40 feet wide and features a painting of each soldier who died, as well as a poppy pedal for each Canadian soldier who has ever died in combat serving the country.

Dignitaries from across the Foothills came to the unveiling at the Recplex as well as the mother of a fallen soldier, Senator Riley school students, a current corporal and a couple of retired corporals. This included former High River resident retired Cpl. Daniel Stegmeier, who served in Afghanistan from February to September 2008.