P.E.I. veteran praised for guarding cenotaph during anti-mandate rally

A Charlottetown-area veteran stood guard in front of the city's cenotaph for several hours Saturday as vaccine-mandate protesters gathered to show support for a convoy rolling through the city.

"I just felt it was my duty to go down there, and I was not there to protest or counter-protest or enter the political fray in any way," says Owen Parkhouse.

"I was merely there to guard the cenotaph and to ensure that those who served and those who fell for Canada were not disrespected."

Parkhouse said he was worried after hearing reports of the National War Memorial being disrespected during demonstrations in Ottawa. He said he didn't want anything similar to happen in Charlottetown.

"I was there to guard the statue to make sure that no one climbed on it or disrespected it in any way," he said.

Several photos of Parkhousehave been widely shared on social media. Some are calling him a hero.

"I think it's very flattering but I'm by no means a hero," he said. "I think the heroes are those that, unfortunately, didn't come back. So, I'm not a hero at all. I just did what was in my heart that I had to do."

It felt good because I felt I did my duty for those who are no longer around to have their say anymore.- Owen Parkhouse

Last May, CBC spoke with Island veterans who said protesting in front of the cenotaph dishonours fallen soldiers. Parkhouse said it all comes down to location.

"I think it's just the unfortunate location of the cenotaph," he said. "Most protests are in front of legacies in this country and it just so happens the cenotaph is in front of our provincial legislature."

Parkhouse stood by the cenotaph for several hours with a wreath of remembrance in his hand. After the crowd left, he laid the wreath at the base of the monument and then saluted it.

"It felt good because I felt I did my duty for those who are no longer around to have their say anymore."

Aside from a few individuals, the group treated him with respect, Parkhouse said.

Charlottetown police said there were some heated verbal exchanges on Saturday but no reports of violence.