September 17, 2004 Veterans Affairs Canada, with the support of the Department of National Defence and Parks Canada, is organizing a 60th anniversary commemorative trip to Italy, October 24-November 4, 2004 for an official delegation featuring Canadian Second World War Veterans who fought in this theatre. Media interested in being a part of the Return to Italy delegation should contact Veterans Affairs Canada at the number below, by September 30. Note spaces are limited. The Honourable Albina Guarnieri, Minister of Veterans Affairs, will lead the delegation of approximately 45 Veterans (currently being selected by their regimental associations), representing all the units and services that participated in the Italian Campaign. They will return to former battle sites and visit the war cemeteries where some of the 6,000 Canadians who died in Italy are buried. Ernest "Smoky" Smith, VC, Canada's only surviving winner of the Victoria Cross (the Commonwealth's highest award for valour in action), plans to participate in the trip and return to the site where he earned the award, near Cesena, Italy. The Government of Canada will officially mark this historic area during this trip. A major ceremony will also be held in Ortona, recognizing the designation by the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada of the Battle for Ortona as an event of national historic significance. Events will also be conducted in Pachino and Agira in Sicily, and Rimini and Cassino on the mainland. Please see the attached schedule of events. In addition to the official delegation, a number of Canadian Veterans will return to Italy and attend many of these events. The first 1,500 Canadian Veterans of the Italian Campaign who wish to travel on their own to Italy to attend the official Canadian delegation commemorative events, can apply to Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) to be reimbursed up to a maximum of $1000 in accommodation and/or air travel costs. VAC covers transportation and accommodation expenses of media delegates; for those with pay policies, these expenses are estimated to be approximately $3,500 per person. For more information on the Return to Italy trip and the history of the Canadians in Italy, visit the Veterans Affairs Canada web site. - 30 - Media Enquiries: Janice Summerby Media Relations Advisor Veterans Affairs Canada (613) 992-7468 All Other Enquiries: information@vac-acc.gc.ca
