There is new signage at Jackson Park in Windsor that's been installed at the foot of the WWII fighter plane monument to better explain the significance of the two planes to city and country.
The Essex Memorial Spitfire Committee donated the three signs that were installed by City of Windsor staff earlier this week.
Michael Beale with the park signage team associated with the committee feels the new addition will be well received.
"There wasn't anything in Jackson Park to explain what these two aircraft mean to the City of Windsor," says Beale.
The Jackson Park Spitfire and Hurricane Memorial in Windsor seen on November 18, 2016. (Photo by Ricardo Veneza)
There are WWII-era Spitfire and Hurricane fighter plane replicas standing where the Lancaster Bomber used to in Jackson Park before it's removal for restoration.
Beale says each plane has its own important history to the region.
He says the Hurricane wears the paint scheme of the Royal Canadian Air Force No. 401 squadron.
"That is the only Canadian squadron to participate in the Battle of Britain in WWII, which is really quite an extraordinary statistic," says Beale.
The Spitfire has a paint scheme meant to honour the RCAF No. 417 squadron.
"That squadron was sponsored in WWII by the City of Windsor," says Beale.
He says the Spitfire has a truly special connection to the city.
"The reason the Windsor Spitfires, our hockey team, is named the Windsor Spitfires is a tribute to RCAF No. 417 squadron," says Beale. "That spitfire is a direct link to our local hockey team."
There are set to be a number of current Windsor Spitfires players on hand for a dedication ceremony planned for noon on Sunday at Jackson Park to recognize the new signs. All are welcome to attend.
Beale hopes the new signs help share an important part of the area's history.
"It will tell the story of what those aircraft mean to all of us as citizens of Windsor, Essex County and Canada," says Beale.
