Main photo: Jeff Nigh (second from right) with (from left) Bernard Kelly, former Irish Ranger; Sergeant Dave Russel (retired); and Captain Matthew Taylor, 4th Canadian Division Support Base (4 CDSB) Petawawa (supplied)
Many of Jeff Nigh’s family members and friends have served our country. He wants to make sure they are shown the respect they deserve.
Nigh’s grandfather was part of the 1st Special Service Force, sometimes known as The Black Devils or The Devil’s Brigade, an elite American-Canadian commando unit formed during WWII.
Although Nigh himself has never served in the military, he is a passionate ally who has fought for many different causes including petitioning to lower the town flag in 2014 when Canadian soldier Corporal Nathan Cirillo was killed at the Canadian National War Memorial in Ottawa.
Nigh is currently approaching local businesses with a simple ask: offer reserved parking for veterans.
“It’s a matter of respect,” Nigh said. “It’s a small courtesy to show these men and women that we appreciate their service. Even if some of the spots sit empty, people will walk by, notice them and acknowledge the sacrifice these individuals made for our country.”
A friend in the US had sent him a photo of a parking space that had a ‘reserved for veterans’ sign. Through research, Nigh realized that many of these signs exist across the US but there are none here in Muskoka.
He had also noticed an elderly man in a Legion jacket, who had a veterans’ license plate on his vehicle, struggling to walk across a parking lot. He was inspired to act.
Nigh says it’s not just elderly veterans that feel they’ve been forgotten by the public; many younger veterans who have served more recently in countries like Iraq and Bosnia often feel the same way.
Nigh originally took to Facebook to voice his opinions and his friend and long-time member of the community, Ruby Truax, reached out and offered to help him design a sign.
“I thought these [parking] signs would be a great thing to do to show veterans that they aren’t forgotten,” said Nigh. “The amount of support the initiative has received already is incredible.”
A graphic of the signs Jeff Nigh would like to see in parking lots across Muskoka (supplied)
The initiative has received support from both veterans’ groups and ally-led groups, including Rick Thomas who runs Marching Veterans of Muskoka, and Al Cameron, founding executive director of Veterans Voices of Canada.
Nigh wants people to know that there are many veterans amongst us, even if they aren’t making themselves known.
“It’s becoming more of a reality and I want to make sure I do this right,” he said. “Muskoka has a really great group of men and women and we need to show them our support and respect.”
He is already in conversation with someone locally to make the signs—which Nigh will be paying for out of his own pocket—who supports the cause and has offered to provide them at cost.
Nigh hopes that after local businesses come on board, a conversation will open up with the Town of Huntsville so that reserved veterans’ parking spots can be available in public parking lots as well.
Anyone who wants to be involved with the initiative, or businesses who want place a sign in their parking lot, can contact Nigh at [email protected].
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Ralph, the fact that you served is laudable, but it doesn’t appoint you as spokesperson for all veterans. Firstly, the expression “handicapped” is derogatory: we prefer persons with disabilities. Secondly, many veterans have either visible or invisible disabilities. And finally, there is a Town program to encourage healthy living; by having people actually walk a few blocks. Yes, I am a person with a disability; and I do not use the designated accessible parking spaces (or proximity parking).
Ralph Cliff, I thank you for your service Sir.
I find this would be a good thing for the vets. It shows we care and always remember
Yes I agree with Jeff, serving your country should yield dividends. An allocated parking spot here and there won’t break the bank for army and all ex first responders. Yes I served, ex special forces and Huntsville Fire.
The parking spaces in Huntsville are right now at a premium. All your doing is driving customers
to the stores in the outlying areas. Everyone is special. Who is next? Teachers, Firemen,Police?
The line has to be drawn at the handicapped or it will never end.
Yes I served.