General Vance and Chief Warrant Officer West issue a statement on Remembrance Day
Statement
November 11, 2015
OTTAWA – General Jonathan Vance, the Chief of the Defence Staff and Chief Warrant Officer Kevin West, the Canadian Forces Chief Warrant Officer, issued the following statement on Remembrance Day:
“For all of us in the Canadian Armed Forces, November 11 is always a special day in our hearts and minds. It gives us time to reflect and remember those before us who defended Canada and made the ultimate sacrifice. We not only remember those who died in the decades before us, but those who died in recent years and who were our own brothers and sisters in arms. Had these Canadians not made the supreme sacrifice, they could very well be still serving and excelling in their military careers.
“With that thought in mind, it is important to recall that we indeed have a young generation of veterans. Alongside our veterans from World War II, the Korean War and other earlier conflicts, our veterans from recent operations such as the Balkans, Afghanistan and Libya will be present at cenotaphs and memorial sites across the country to remember on November 11. Even today, members of the Canadian Armed Forces willingly put themselves in harm’s way, specifically on our current deployments that continue around the globe. We ask that you think of them and their families who await their safe return home.
“Acknowledging the recent change of government leadership, this peaceful transition is especially important as it is a true example of the values and freedoms we defend and for which many have died. This kind of change also brings new tasks and challenges, which we as members of the Canadian Armed Forces welcome and embrace. It is who we are and what we do. Finally, we remain impressed by the number of Canadians who come out every year on Remembrance Day to pay their respects at 11 a.m. For those in uniform, don it with pride at your respective events. For all Canadians, we thank you for taking the time to remember. If you have never done so, we encourage you to make 2015 your first year to take part in a local Remembrance Day ceremony. We are certain that you will feel proud to be a Canadian.
“Lest we forget.”
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