Veterans Way is a one kilometre Municipal roadway within the Ferguson Forest Centre that links  County Road #44 to Honour Way to the east. Stroll along Veterans Way and take a moment to pause and view the names and military service of local veterans that are cast in commemorative bronze plaques and placed at the bases of trees lining both sides of the roadway.

The individual Veterans Way commemorative bronze plaques are listed in groupings of four under of the following National Inventory of Canadian Military Memorials (NICMM) registration numbers: 35041-012 35041-014 35041-016 35041-017 35041-021 35041-037 and 35041-045.

Veterans Way Background Information

The original concept for a “Living Memorial” came to the forefront when local resident Owen Fitz’Gerald, past Chairman of the Ferguson Forest Centre Corporation Board of Directors, made a battlefield pilgrimage to Normandy, France. Fitz'Gerald was emotionally drawn to the many rows of graves and markers in remembrance of the fallen. The sight both haunted and inspired him and resulted in his idea and recommendation for a tree-lined memorial roadway at the Ferguson Forest Centre.

Based upon his vision and active participation, an existing roadway at the Ferguson Forest Centre was designated and named Veterans Way with the full support of the Municipality of North Grenville, the Ferguson Forest Centre Corporation Board of Directors and the Royal Canadian Legion Kemptville Branch #212.

On May 25, 2002 special guests representing various civil and military organizations along with members of the general public were in attendance at the official dedication of Veterans Way. A special plaque honouring military personnel who served during the First World War was unveiled and the first memorial tree was planted by the Leeds-Grenville Federal and Provincial Members of Parliament.

As of September 30, 2017, there are twenty-eight commemorative bronze plaques spaced along the Veterans Way roadway which serve to recognize and honour thirty local veterans who paid the supreme sacrifice or saw service with the Canadian, British and United States of America Armed Forces.

A binder containing their stories is available for public viewing by visiting the Reception Desk at the Ferguson Forest Centre Administration Building. A second copy of the binder is held by the North Grenville Historical Society at 15 Water Street Kemptville Ontario Map Reference 6.

Source: 'History of Veterans Way' by Roy Brown.