Penticton council has given the green light to a project honouring Capt. Jonathan Snyder, who died in Afghanistan in 2008.
At the behest of the heritage and museum committee, a sign will be placed on the 100 block of Main Street, dedicating the area to Snyder’s memory.
Council was unanimous in supporting the motion, though Coun. John Vassilaki questioned whether the dedication was enough. He suggested that dedicating a park might be a more fitting tribute.
“Just to put a sign up on one block of Main Street, to me, it’s not how I would like to remember him,” said Vassilaki. “I would rather have some big place where people can talk about it all the time, rather than a sign up that they will see very rarely.”
However, Coun. Wes Hopkin, one of council’s representatives on the heritage committee, explained the dedication was in keeping with the family’s request.
“This request actually came from the family that this is how they wanted to be recognized,” said Hopkin, noting there is already a park in Penticton dedicated to Snyder, part of the Penticton Christian School, alongside the KVR Trail.
“We don’t intend to rename this portion of Main Street. It is simply to designate this portion and have an appropriate time to recognize this particular and dignified individual in our community,” said Hopkin.
Details about when and where the dedication and sign will be made are still in the planning stage according to Hopkin.
“It was important that we get the recognition and direction from council to go ahead with this in principle. I am sure that something will come back at a later date,” said Hopkin, adding that they hoped to time it with a visit from dignitaries.
“I think the family of Capt. Jonathan Snyder and the family of his partner deserve this recognition from the community,” said Coun. Garry Litke.
The visiting dignitaries referred to by Hopkin are believed to be former Governor-General Adrienne Clarkson and her husband, John Ralston Saul.
As Governor-General, Clarkson was titular colonel-in-chief of Snyder’s regiment, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry. She is expected to join Snyder’s family in dedicating the plaque in early June.