Minister of National Defence Video Message for Remembrance Day
Video / November 11, 2021
Transcript
For over 100 years, Canadians have paused to mark November 11 as a day of solemn reflection. In 1919, this day was observed as Armistice Day, and 90 years ago, on November 11, 1931, Canadians observed the first official Remembrance Day.
Today, Canadians will gather in school gyms, town squares, and at local cenotaphs to honour our fallen and those who currently serve. Students will read the words of John McCrae’s poem, In Flanders Fields. Families will pin red poppies to their coats as a symbol of remembrance. And communities will pause for a moment of silence to honour those who did not make it home from war.
On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, we pay tribute to our fallen, to veterans, to current members of the Canadian Armed Forces, and to police officers from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and more than thirty police services serving abroad through the International Police Peacekeeping and Peace Operations Program.
Over the course of our nation’s history, more than 120,000 Canadians have made the ultimate sacrifice in service of our highest values – democracy, freedom, and human rights. Many more have sustained wounds—both physical and emotional—in pursuit of these ideals.
The selflessness and sacrifice of our heroes demonstrate the very best of Canada. They represent who we are: a people that rallies to support those in peril, a nation that takes care of our own and of others, and a country that stands up for what is right.
Over the decades, Canadians have earned a strong reputation as distinguished soldiers, sailors, and aviators in our work to defend peace and freedom. We have marked several important military anniversaries this year, including the 105th anniversaries of the Battles of the Somme and Beaumont-Hamel, and the creation of the No. 2 Construction Battalion—the first Black military unit in our country’s history.
It has also been 80 years since the Defence of Hong Kong, 70 years since the Battle of Kapyong, 65 years since the beginning of the first large-scale United Nations peacekeeping effort in Egypt, 30 years since the end of the Gulf War and 10 years since the combat phase of Canada’s mission in Afghanistan ended.
These missions have helped forge our nation and demonstrate that Canada’s commitment to preserving peace and freedom in the world continues to be strong.
We also pause to recognize currently serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, who have taken up the torch in an increasingly dangerous and complex world. Our people in uniform work hard every day – standing alongside our allies, supporting our communities in times of need like the COVID-19 pandemic, and protecting our country from threats to peace and stability.
To those currently serving in uniform – thank you sincerely for your service to Canada.
This Remembrance Day, we ask all Canadians to take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices made by generations of Canadians, both past and present. Let us remember them for their courage and duty in service of Canada. We all owe them an immeasurable debt of gratitude.
Lest we forget.