Veterans Affairs Canada is putting close to $300,000 toward 31 community-led projects across Alberta aimed at preserving and sharing the stories of Canadian Veterans. The funding comes through the Commemorative Partnership Program, which backs a mix of exhibits, ceremonies, educational workshops, and other initiatives meant to keep Veterans' contributions part of the public memory.

Several of the funded projects are based in Calgary, including Remembrance Day and Battle of Britain commemorations organized by local Royal Canadian Air Force Association branches, a concert and exhibition honouring Korean War Veterans, and an oral history project documenting the experiences of the R22eR in Afghanistan.

One of the more hands-on projects is being led by No Gamer Left Behind, a group founded by first responders and Veterans, which received more than $48,000 to run a Cadets Historical Hobby Workshop Series. The program will bring roughly 1,000 cadets in Edmonton and Calgary into learning about No. 2 Construction Battalion, Canada's first and only all-Black battalion, blending military history with interactive activities.

"Remembrance is about ensuring the stories of those whose service and sacrifice shaped Canada live on," said the Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence. She pointed to projects like the cadet workshop series as examples of how the funding helps bring history to life for younger generations.

Evan Pound, executive director of No Gamer Left Behind, said the funding will help connect Veterans and cadets through meaningful experiences. "We're grateful for Veterans Affairs Canada's support in making this project possible," he said.

Other funded projects span the province, from a monument for the Piikani War Veterans Society in Brocket to centennial celebrations for Royal Canadian Legion branches in Airdrie, Slave Lake, and Tofield.