Recycling history
With stirred emotions I stood this week and photographed
crews dismantling a large rusty piece of our Peace County history. I
was present as a shy five year old that day in 1955 when the Smoky
River Bridge was officially opened. Despite the rainy weather there
were 2500 people present, many of which were greatly relieved that they
would no longer have to cross the river by ferry or Ice Bridge again. 
Duty called and I left this beautiful land when I was just 18 to join the Navy and see the world. Now, over forty years later I have once again returned to reside in my home town of Eaglesham.
Over the years I revisited many times to rekindle the fond memories of those exciting, progressive years growing up in the Peace Country. On many of those return visits I would take my children down to the Smoky for a picnic and relate my memories of the bridge opening day.
I am thankful for old photographs where memories are preserved and yes I am also thankful for this prosperous province that can afford a beautiful new bridge over the meandering Smoky.
By early next summer traffic will be able to cross the river at highway speed barely noticing the new bridge beneath them. For those of us who were present in 55, however, we will never forget old green bridge that did so much to open up our land. Old friend, may you ever be remembered.
Douglas W. Greenfield,
Eaglesham Aberta.