‘In Honour of Those Who Served and Sacrificed’
Northern Ontario Construction News staff writer
A North Bay paving company has created a lasting and meaningful tribute to Canada’s veterans in time for Remembrance Day.
Blacktop Paving, led by owner David McDonald, has installed a series of Remembrance Day–themed crosswalks in North Bay, Callander and East Ferris, each designed to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who served.
McDonald and his team donated all materials, labour, time and equipment for the initiative, using durable thermoplastic to ensure the designs withstand years of wear. He has also pledged to maintain the crosswalks for the next five years.
“I’ve wanted to see these crosswalks become a reality for some time,” McDonald said. “My dad served as a pilot and officer in the armed forces for 28 years. I did the crosswalks as a remembrance of the wars and the people who sacrificed everything so we can have our freedoms.
“Everyone should remember what our great-grandparents, grandparents, fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters did for us.”
Each crosswalk features a unique design reflecting the spirit of remembrance. In Callander, the crosswalk displays a soldier’s silhouette with the words “Lest We Forget.” In North Bay, a large red maple leaf is paired with the message “In honour of those who served and sacrificed.” East Ferris combines both symbols — the maple leaf and the silhouette — into one powerful image of remembrance.
McDonald says he hopes the crosswalks will serve as daily reminders of the bravery and selflessness of Canada’s veterans — a visible tribute that residents cross every day in gratitude and reflection.