Minister of National Defence Video Message for Remembrance Day
Video / November 11, 2022
Transcript
Hello. Bonjour.
On November 11, Canadians pause to recognize Remembrance Day.
Today, families will gather at cenotaphs in their communities.
Children will read In Flanders Fields and learn about the courage of our fallen heroes.
And we will all wear the poppy as a pledge to never forget the service of Canadian Armed Forces members – past and present.
To our veterans and our active armed forces members, we thank you for your incredible service and your many sacrifices.
Throughout our history, Canadian Armed Forces members have served with courage, pride, and unwavering dedication.
From the beaches of Normandy to the shores of Dieppe,
During forest fires and floods,
In war and peace,
Our Canadian Armed Forces rise to the challenge every single day and continue to keep Canadians safe.
Today is a time to remember and honour the sacrifices that our members and their families have made—for Canada, for Canadians, and for the values that we hold dear.
Today, we remember Vimy Ridge, where 100,000 Canadians overcame immense odds, and cemented Canadian bravery in history.
We remember the Women's Royal Canadian Naval Service, whose courage helped the Allied Forces break the Nazi stranglehold of Europe—while breaking gender barriers, too.
We remember the sacrifices of the Dieppe raid, where nearly 70% of Canadian soldiers were wounded, taken prisoner or killed—a painful reminder of the terrible cost of war.
And, we thank all those who don the uniform to serve our country today.
While battlefields and threats have evolved, the courage and selflessness of our members remain unwavering.
Our military helps keep Canadians safe when natural disasters strike, from forest fires in British Columbia to flooding in Manitoba to—most recently—Hurricane Fiona on the Atlantic coast.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Fiona, we saw armed forces members working in their own communities; helping neighbors rebuild, clearing roads and bridges, and bringing power back to isolated areas.
Beyond our borders, Canadian military members work with our allies to address the challenges of an increasingly dangerous and complex world.
The Canadian Armed Forces lead NATO's multinational Battle Group in Latvia. They help to preserve peace and security in the skies and seas around the globe. And – they have trained over 33 000 Ukrainian soldiers, who are now standing up to Russia's illegal and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine.
To put it simply, our Canadian Armed Forces are at the heart of Canadian safety, security, and prosperity.
On this Remembrance Day, I encourage you to reflect on the role that our members have played—and continue to play—in making Canada the country that it is today.
If you know any active armed forces members, veterans or military families, be sure to thank them.
Their stories give us remarkable hope.
Their service shows us immeasurable courage.
And their sacrifice reminds us of our obligation to take care of our Armed Forces community.
Today, we remember our fallen heroes who are no longer with us – and we salute their bravery and sacrifice.
And of course, we recognize the Canadian Armed Forces community across Canada and around the world.
Thank you for your incredible sacrifices, so that we can live in peace and freedom, and for your work to ensure a safer world for our children.
Lest we forget. N'oublions jamais.