THUNDER BAY — A Royal Canadian Legion branch in Thunder Bay may now have the most distinctive exterior of any branch in the country.
Just in time for Remembrance Day preparations, a new mural over the entrance to Branch 5 honours the community's war dead and war veterans.
The artwork graces the exterior front wall of the Van Norman Street building, and depicts two soldiers, a field of poppies and Lest We Forget, the phrase associated with Remembrance Day for decades.
It is the work of artist and Branch 5 member Brian Nieminen.
Finishing touches to the mural were just recently completed, with the scaffolding coming down this past Saturday.
Branch 5 president Dell Babcock says Nieminen came up with the idea several years ago.
"It took us awhile to get things lined up, but we were final able to do that this year," Babcock said.
He said he was grateful that Nieminen was able to "beat the weather" and complete the project ahead of Nov. 11.
"It's a tribute," he said, "to those who have served in the military and made the ultimate sacrifice on our behalf for our freedoms and all the comforts and benefits that we enjoy here in Canada."
Babcock said the mural has drawn a lot of attention already.
"We've had people stop in and comment on how nice it looks and how it really 'fixes up' the front of the building."
