Remembrance Day 2020: MND Message to Defence Team Members
November 10, 2020 - Defence Stories
To all Defence Team members,
Normally, on Remembrance Day we would gather at ceremonies across the country to commemorate our Veterans and CAF members who sacrifice so much for our safety, our freedoms, and our way of life.
Like with everything else this year, we have had to adapt our Remembrance Day activities.
But a global pandemic won’t stop us from taking the time to express our gratitude, pay our respects, and share in the stories of our Veterans.
Of those who fought in two world wars, in Korea, in Afghanistan, and in countless other operations across the globe and at home.
Theirs are stories of bravery, of dedication, and of stark reminders of the ultimate sacrifice CAF members take on each and every day, when they put on the uniform.
This year, our Defence Team heavily felt this reality.
Each loss we suffered was a huge loss for our institution and for our country. But even more than that, we lost our friends, our colleagues, and our family.
This Remembrance Day, we’ll all be thinking about Master Corporal Matthew Cousins, Sub-Lieutenant Matthew Pyke, Captain Maxime Miron-Morin, Captain Kevin Hagen, Captain Brenden Ian MacDonald, Sub-Lieutenant Abbigail Cowbrough, Captain Jenn Casey, and Corporal James Choi.
Tomorrow might be a difficult day for many members of our Defence Team, Veterans, and their families. I encourage you all to reach out to each other, and lend a friendly ear this Remembrance Day.
Regardless of how or where you remember this November 11th, we are united in our gratitude for all those who have served and for those who continue to do so.
Whether you are a military or civilian member of the Defence Team, I would like to thank all of you for your service to our country.
I could not be more proud of the work you do, and how you all help carry on the proud Canadian legacy of protecting Canada and Canadians at home and abroad every day.
Lest we forget.
Thank you.
The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan
Minister of National Defence