Ring of Honour was a design created in response to a proposal call from the community of Quinte West. The desire of the community was to solicit designs for a memorial wall to recognize Canadians killed during service in Afghanistan. With this design we chose to challenge the notion of a wall being an appropriate element to honour and remember those killed while in war. It seemed to us that a wall memorializes an event and not individuals.

Ring of Honour proposes ‘lanterns’ to pay homage to each person who gave their life. The concept is based on these lanterns formed in a ring set within a clearing of a constructed forest. Within the ring is a mound, which is bisected by two walls. These walls named ‘family walls’ are used to record the memories and thoughts of the family members of the fallen. The resulting slopes on either side of the walls provide a place for visitors to view and reflect on the Ring of Honour and the spirits of those who have been lost. This clearing also allows visitors to view the planes that fly overhead as they leave neighbouring CFB Trenton and perhaps allow those in the planes to look down and see the lanterns. The sound of the planes is a reminder that although we are honouring the dead in this location there is still conflict throughout the world. The lanterns will be lit at night and the design suggests that each year on the anniversary of a soldier’s death, their lantern will be turned off for that day and the week that follows.