"wait for me daddy" sculpture

This newly dedicated sculpture (October 2014) depicts a famous Canadian WWII-era 1940 photograph of a small boy running after his father as he marched off to war. Its location is in Hyack Square in downtown New Westminster at the foot of Eighth Street and Columbia.

A beautiful replica of the original photo..... very well done and displayed. New Westminster is lucky to have such a lovely Sculpture to remember the past wars.

Having been involved in this monument I was very pleased to have met the "little boy" Whitey Bernard.

I remember seeing this picture of a young soldier marching off to war as his young son attempts to grab onto his departing father's hand, it was heart breaking and show the affects that war has on families, I saw this photo almost 40 years ago, now a statue has been made, an incredible feat for history

Given the photographs place in Canadian history I thought the sculpture would be more imposing and inspiring. It was much smaller than anticipated too. Signage would help to find it.

Wait For Me Daddy was unveiled just last month and I was very proud to be in attendance. This public art sculpture addresses love, loss and separation during the second world war but also celebrates the part New Westminster played as a muster point for our soldiers. The sculpture is a fabulous blend of modern influences tempered by the recognition of those leaving for war. Based upon the Claude Detloff masterpiece photo called Wait For Me Daddy, the artists creating the sculpture have captured surely the essence of the photograph but have elevated the sculpture to war memorial status. With postage stamps and a coin coming out in support, the sculpture has gone "national" if not international and it is an important addition to public art in Canada. Come and see it as soon as possible!

October 2014 The federal and provincial governments partnered with the City of New Westminster, and with the help of many others, dedicated a national landmark on the spot of a memorable news photo.On October 1st, 1940, the British Columbia Regiment marched through New Westminster on their way to fight in WWII. Claude Dettloff of 'The Province' newspaper was set up to photograph the soldiers coming down 8th Street. With the click of a button at the perfect moment, he snapped one of the most famous war photos in history: "Wait for Me Daddy."In that moment, little Warren “Whitey” Bernard broke free from his mother's embrace to reach out to his father, a soldier marching off to war. This photo went "viral" for its time. It was featured on the Oct. 21st cover of Life magazine in 1940, and was displayed in every school throughout British Columbia during the war. Later, Whitey was used to travel and raise war bonds.To commemorate this iconic photo and the soldiers who fought in WWII, the city of New Westminster unveiled a memorial. Edwin and Veronica DamDeNogales won a competition to create the statue. (Together, the DamDeNogales have 25 permanent works worldwide and have participated in over 70 exhibitions.)It was only fitting that Warren “Whitey” Bernard returned to Hyack Square to unveil the monument. The unveiling took place in Hyack Square at the corner of Columbia and 8th Street, New Westminster. The BC Lieutenant Governor, MPs, MLA's, local Mayors, WWII veterans, senior Canadian dignitaries, the Royal Westminster Regiment, as well as Claude P. Dettloff’s family attended the unveiling. Afterwards, the public surrounded the "Wait For Me Daddy" creation for their own memory picture. The Canadian Mint unveiled a "Wait For Me Daddy" commemorative 'toonie coin' at the event, and Canada Post released a "Wait for Me Daddy" stamp, which were dispensed at the new Anvil Centre across the street.