Monument des Braves facts for kids

The Monument des Braves is a special kind of monument called a cenotaph. It is located in Shawinigan, Quebec, a city in Canada. A cenotaph is a memorial that honors people whose bodies are buried somewhere else. This monument remembers local soldiers who died while serving their country.

The Monument des Braves was finished in 1948. At that time, François Roy was the mayor of Shawinigan. You can find the monument in downtown Shawinigan. It stands at the corner of Fourth Street and Promenade du Saint-Maurice. This spot is also very close to the Saint-Maurice River.

Design and Features

The monument was designed by an architect named J. Cuvelier. He was from Trois-Rivières. The Monument des Braves is a tall structure made of granite. It stands about 35 feet (10.7 meters) high.

What it Looks Like

The main part of the monument is an obelisk. An obelisk is a tall, four-sided stone pillar that gets narrower at the top. On top of this obelisk, there is a soldier's helmet. There is also a wreath that represents victory.

Below the helmet and wreath, you can see a sword. This sword is placed underneath three laurel wreaths. These designs appear on both the north and south sides of the memorial.

Remembering the Wars

The Monument des Braves honors soldiers from two major wars. The names of local soldiers who died in World War I are carved on the south side of the monument. On the north side, you can find the names of those who died during World War II.

Annual Ceremony

Every year, around Remembrance Day, a special event takes place. Members of the 62nd (Shawinigan) Field Artillery Regiment gather near the Monument des Braves. They hold a ceremony to honor the soldiers. This ceremony remembers all the brave soldiers who died serving their country.

See also

In Spanish: Monumento de los Bravos para niños