Speech at the 19th Annual Ceremony of Remembrance
Speaker Regan,
Minister Hehr,
Honoured Parliamentarians,
Veterans & Members of the Canadian Armed Forces,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen:
It is an honour for me to welcome you to the 19th Annual Ceremony of Remembrance. Today is a solemn occasion for all of us…as Canadians…to reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave men and women in uniform.
We gather today to commemorate the incredible bravery and strength of those who came before us, those who served and those who continue to serve in their wake.
I would especially like to thank our veterans for joining us this morning. They have known first-hand what it means to face the many difficulties associated with military life and have given this country an immeasurable gift through their service. To them and to those who came before them…we are forever indebted and grateful.
As we are gathered here today, the eight paintings that adorn the walls of this Chamber depict scenes from the First World War. They serve as a reminder of our history and those who fought on our behalf so that we can be free.
Over two million Canadian men and women from all walks of life have made…and continue to make lasting contributions during times of war, conflict and peace. Today, we commend the bravery of these individuals, and reflect in particular on those who served in the Battle of Vimy Ridge and Beaumont Hamel during the First World War.
This year marks the 100th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. Every year on July 1st, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians observe Memorial Day in honour of the hundreds of members of the Newfoundland Regiment who lost their lives fighting at Beaumont-Hamel at the opening of the Somme offensive.
Newfoundlanders and Labradorians do this because the void left by the sacrifice of that generation of young men has long been felt in our province, and it continues to live on in our memories today. Their story of extraordinary devotion and courage will – and always must – be shared.
It is fitting that on this same day, Canadians celebrate Canada Day – for without the sacrifices of the young men at Beaumont Hamel, and of all the young men and women who followed in this and subsequent wars, there may well have been no Canada to celebrate.
Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, whose victory is widely considered as one of the most defining moments for our country.
In many ways, it was through the Battle of Vimy Ridge that the Canadian identity was forged.
It was during this battle that, for the first time, all four divisions of the Canadian infantry attacked together. Men from all regions of our country were united in their fight to defeat a common foe, driven by their love for Canada.
While Canada has since been involved in other military conflicts and peacekeeping missions, the significance of the Battle of Vimy Ridge has not changed. The Vimy Memorial is a permanent reminder of the sacrifices made by these brave soldiers.
Each year, on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we honour and remember them and the more than 118,000 men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for Canada.
The great English writer and World War I veteran Edmund Blunden on the bravery of soldiers fallen in war, wrote:
“They died in splendour, these who claimed no spark of glory…
save the light in a friend's eye.”
May we forever preserve their memory, and may we never forget them. May that be our solemn promise.
Thank you. Merci.