June 2, 2004 OTTAWA –– Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, and His Excellency John Ralston Saul will travel to Normandy to take part in the official ceremonies marking the 60th anniversary of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy, from June 4 to June 8, 2004. The Governor General will accompany the official delegation of veterans on a Canadian Forces Airbus, arriving on June 3. "I feel proud and privileged to accompany our Canadian veterans of the Battle of Normandy to France," said the Governor General. This is a unique opportunity for our country and all Canadians to pay tribute to the courage of our soldiers during one of modern history's most defining battles. By taking a stand against injustice, our veterans changed the lives of millions. This year's 60th anniversary will help us keep alive the memory and meaning of what our veterans sacrificed for their country. The ceremonies also have a very personal meaning given that my husband's father, Captain Bill Saul, landed in Normandy on D-Day with the Royal Winnipeg Rifles." During the commemorative visit, the Governor General and John Ralston Saul will honour Canadian veterans and will take part in a number of events to highlight Canada's historic role during the Normandy landings and the liberation of France. On June 4, the Governor General and John Ralston Saul will participate in a cavalcade of veterans along the Normandy coast, and on June 5, she will take part in the bi-national (Canada and France) wreath-laying ceremony at the Canadian War Cemetery at Bény-sur-Mer along with Mr. Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Prime Minister of the French Republic. On Sunday, June 6, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, His Excellency John Ralston Saul, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Right Honourable Paul Martin, Prime Minister of Canada, and other dignitaries will take part in the official Canadian ceremony at Juno Beach at Courseulles-sur-Mer. The Governor General will inspect the Guard of Honour, deliver remarks, lay a wreath and sign the Distinguished Visitor's Book. Later on that day, she will also participate in the International Ceremony of Remembrance hosted by His Excellency Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic. Seventeen heads of state and government from fourteen countries will participate in this event. Other highlights include a ceremony of remembrance and wreath laying at l'Abbaye d'Ardenne in Saint-Germain-la-Blanche-Herbe, on Monday, June 7. The Governor General will lay a wreath on behalf of the Canadian People. John Ralston Saul, as the son of an officer who landed on D-Day, will lay a wreath on behalf of the families and friends of Canadian prisoners of war who were murdered by SS troops during the Battle of Normandy. This event is organized by the Canadian Battlefields Foundation. The detailed itinerary of the Governor General's visit to France is attached. Media accreditation information, a detailed schedule of activities at Juno Beach, and a travel advisory for Canadians who wish to attend overseas activities have been published by Veterans Affairs Canada. Please visit www.vac-acc.gc.ca for more information. -30- Media Information: Randy Mylyk Press Secretary to the Governor General (613) 993-8167 Lucie Brosseau Rideau Hall Press Office (613) 998-0287 www.gg.ca Janice Summerby Media Relations Advisor Veterans Affairs Canada (613) 992-7468 www.vac-acc.gc.ca Shane Diaczuk Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs (613) 992-4903 Itinerary: France – June 4 to 8, 2004 Friday, June 4 (Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer) 9:30 a.m. Cavalcade of veterans along the Normandy coast in vehicles from the Second World War, from Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer to Bernières-sur-Mer. (Open coverage) 10:30 a.m. (Nan Red Beach) Vin d'honneur with local officials and Canadian veterans hosted by the mayors of St-Aubin-sur-Mer and Bernières-sur-Mer. (Open coverage) 5:30 p.m. (Salle de la Pyramid, Main Level Domaine de l'Amirauté) The Governor General and John Ralston Saul will have dinner with the official delegation of Canadian veterans and offer remarks. (Open coverage) 7:00 p.m. (Amphithéâtre, 2nd Level Domaine de l'Amirauté) The Governor General and John Ralston Saul will attend a band concert in the company of Canadian veterans. (Open coverage) Saturday, June 5 10:00 a.m. (Bény-sur-Mer, Canadian War Cemetary) His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales to lay a wreath at the Canadian War Cemetary in Bény-sur-Mer. Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada and His Excellency John Ralston Saul will greet His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and escort him throughout this event. (Pool coverage) 11:00 a.m. (Ceremony at Putot-en-Bessin) The Governor General and John Ralston Saul will lay wreaths at the Canadian Memorial at the Église de Putot-en-Bessin, followed by a tour of the Battlefield. (Open coverage) 2:30 p.m. (Bény-sur-Mer, Canadian War Cemetery, bi-national ceremony (Canada and France)) The Governor General will speak and lay a wreath during the bi-national (Canada and France) wreath-laying ceremony at the Canadian War Cemetery, along with Mr. Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Prime Minister of the French Republic. (Pool coverage) 4:30 p.m. Vin d'honneur given by the Mayor of Bény-sur-Mer. (Open coverage) Sunday June 6, 2004 10:00 a.m. (Ceremony at Courseulles-sur-Mer) Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada and His Excellency John Ralston Saul will participate in the official Canadian ceremony at Juno Beach. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, the Right Honourable Paul Martin, Prime Minister of Canada, other dignitaries, along with thousands of Canadian veterans and other Canadians will attend the ceremony. The ceremony is being held in honour of the Normandy landings and the liberation of France. The Governor General will inspect the Guard of Honour, deliver a speech, lay a wreath and sign the Distinguished Visitors' Book. (Open coverage) 12:30 p.m. (Refectory, Main Floor, City Hall of Caen) Official luncheon given by His Excellency Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic, and Mrs. Bernadette Chirac. (Pool coverage of remarks and toasts at the beginning of the luncheon) 3:20 p.m. (Arromanches-les-Bains) International Ceremony of Remembrance (Pool coverage, and broadcast for general viewing at Juno Beach Centre) Monday, June 7 2:00 p.m. (Caen) Ceremony and wreath-laying at the Jardin Canadien, Caen Memorial. The event is organized by the Canadian Battlefields Foundation. The Governor General will offer remarks. (Open coverage) 3:30 p.m. (Caen) Ceremony and wreath-laying at La Place de l'Ancienne Boucherie organized by the Canadian Battlefields Foundation. (Open coverage) 4:30 p.m. (Ceremony at Saint-Germain-la-Blanche-Herbe) Ceremony of Remembrance and Wreath-Laying at l'Abbaye d'Ardenne. Both the Governor General and John Ralston Saul will lay a wreath. Special Remembrance for Canadian prisoners of war murdered by SS troops during the Battle of Normandy. The name of every known Canadian soldier executed in Normandy will be read during the ceremony. The event is organized by the Canadian Battlefields Foundation. (Open coverage) Tuesday, June 8 10:15 a.m. (Cintheaux Canadian War Cemetary, Bretteville-sur-Laize) Ceremony and wreath-laying at the Cintheaux Canadian War Cemetery, Bretteville-sur-Laize, in the company of thousands of Canadians. The Governor General will offer remarks, lay a wreath and sign the Distinguished Visitor's Book. (Open coverage)
