The Lacombe Legion and City of Lacombe kicked off its sticker campaign today in an effort to raise money for the Lacombe Afghanistan Memorial. Legion members, students and government dignitaries were all in attendance to help launch the campaign in an effort to raise $15,000 to be put towards the memorial.

The money will be used to purchase a Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV III) to honour the 158 men and women who died fighting in Afghanistan.

In total around $80,000 is needed with well over $20,000 already raised.

President of the Interact Club at Lacombe Composite High School, Aaron Kenney said the club is also raising money and became interested after learning the last Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan, M.Cpl. Bryon Greff, came from Lacombe.

“We thought it was important to continue the legacy and make sure that’s secure here in Lacombe. We recognize that he was from Lacombe Composite High School, so we thought it was even more important that we represent his sacrifice here,” Kenney said.

“We also thought it was vital for students to get involved particularly. Certainly, it brings it more to a ground level and that will get more excitement in the community and hopefully raise more money that way.”

The students will be going door to door selling stickers on Wednesday and Thursday this week in Clive, Blackfalds and Lacombe.

Mayor Steve Christie explained that the community has really stepped up and is important for generations to come to remember the sacrifices made by fellow Canadians.

“It was said today that when the community sees that it’s the right thing to do, they get behind it and that is 100 per cent true,” Christie said.

“Trucking, concrete, the school's selling stickers and raising money, even prior to be asked. When Lacombe sees something worthwhile they definitely get behind it.”

Christie added the CPR has also offered to ship the LAV III for free.

As well, Strand Media provided all 30,000 stickers for the campaign free of charge.  

“We felt it was the right thing to do and we are very happy to support the community and our armed forces and thought this was a great opportunity to give our part of the contribution,” President Bruce Clarke said.

Spearheading the initial idea was MP Blaine Calkins who said it was the right thing to do.

“Anybody who’s visited the Cenotaph knows that folks from this area have served our country proudly over the years, previous conflicts where conflict was necessary and they’ve done so again in Afghanistan and we need to remember that,” Calkins said.

“We need to remember those sacrifices, those contributions and be remindful that the freedoms we have, they were not won cheaply and they came at a great cost.”

Calkins added they're hoping to have the LAV III in place by the spring or summer and will be located in the new Field of Honour, which is being worked on with the expansion of the city cemetery.

Stickers are five dollars each and can be purchased at Sunny 94, the City of Lacombe, Cilantro and Chive, Strand Media, Lacombe Legion and Hopkins Nails.