Notes for The Honourable Harjit Singh Sajjan, Minister of National Defence - Last Post Fund - National Field of Honour Commemoration, Pointe-Claire, QC, June 4, 2017
Speech
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Rear-Admiral Keeler, (Barry, LPF National President)
Brigadier-General à la retraite Coté, (Gaston, Quebec Branch President)
Mme Robidoux-Beauchamp, (Nicole, QC Silver Cross Mother)
Representatives of the diplomatic corps,
Leadership of the Last Post Fund,
Members of the Royal Canadian Legion and the War Veterans Associations,
Provincial and municipal leaders,
Women and men of the Canadian Armed Forces,
Distinguished guests,
Families and friends,
Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Bonjour.
First, permit me to offer my sincere regrets that I will not be speaking in French today. I am still working to improve my French and appreciate your understanding.
It is a distinct honour to have been invited to speak with you today on this solemn occasion, as we gather to commemorate the National Field of Honour. And to pay our respects to those women and men who have gone to their final rest in the soil of these hallowed grounds.
For more than three quarters of a century, this cemetery has provided a resting place to those who have worn Canada’s uniform. They served their country with honour and distinction.
This cemetery fills a unique and pressing need. Unlike our National Military Cemetery in Beechwood, members can be interred next to their family members. They lay their final rest alongside their loved ones.
Alongside the people who provided them with love, care, and support throughout their careers.
Alongside those who are the reason why they served.
In no other place in Canada can you find a cemetery where you can honour, simultaneously, those twin virtues of love of one’s family and service to one’s nation. This is a special place, worthy of our respect and reverence.
As you walk among this place, feeling the depth of its history, you see something else. Maybe not at first. It sneaks up on you.
As you tread upon the grass, as you read the names carved into stone, you see privates buried alongside generals. You see those who served in war and conflict zones throughout our history alongside those whose service took them elsewhere in pursuit of our Canadian values.
You will see names you recognize. Names of those who accrued great honour and recognition for their service, buried alongside those who served only a few years.
You will see the stones of those who died without means, given a resting place and memorial no different from any other woman or man laid to rest in this place. Regardless of differences rank, colour, creed, or anything else… they are equal now. Each soul is given the same honour and respect as every other.
There is no place like it anywhere in this country, from coast to coast to coast. And it is a privilege to be invited to be here with you today to pay these souls the honour and respect that is their due.
In the words of the 26th Governor General of Canada, the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson:
“No person has ever been honoured for what he received. Honour is the reward for what a person has given.”
And so to those who lie here, who served in the First World War… in the Second World War… in Korea or in missions in support of peace around the world…
…and to Corporal Nicolas Beauchamp and Private Simon Longtin, who lost their lives in Afghanistan. Those who give so much in service of our nation, we owe so very much in return. I am grateful for the efforts of everyone who works to ensure that those who served with honour are treated with honour.
Thank you, merci.