N.B. cenotaph cross standing again

The granite cross at the New Brunswick cenotaph in Fredericton is standing once more, seven months after it mysteriously fell over.

The three-metre tall cross, which was found heavily damaged two days before Remembrance Day last year, was lifted into place on Wednesday.

At first, it was assumed that vandals had toppled the cross, but Fredericton police are still not sure it didn't fall on its own.

Jean-Guy Perrault, president of Branch 4 of the Royal Canadian Legion, said there is a great sense of relief in the veteran community now that the cenotaph has been restored.

"It's amazing. I know I'm not the only one. The vets are going to be so relieved and so pleased because that really bothered them that the cross fell down and now it is up," Perrault said.

Perrault said there were a lot of tears when the monument was discovered on the ground.

There was an immediate outpouring of support from across the country when news spread of the monument's damage.

It is estimated that roughly $80,000 in donations and pledges flooded into the legion. The largest donation came from TD Bank Financial Group, which handed over $25,000 to help repair the cenotaph.

Two days after the cenotaph was found damaged, Fredericton saw an overflowing crowd turn out to its annual Remembrance Day ceremony.

The cross was repaired for free by Jones Masonry of Harvey Station, N.B.

Perrault said surplus money raised for the repair will be used to further renovate and improve the cenotaph site.