Speaking Notes for The Honourable Albina Guarnieri Minister of Veterans Affairs Ottawa, Ontario October 24, 2004 Please check against delivery Minister McCallum thank you for our kind invitation to be here today. Minister Graham, General Henault, Mr. Côté, Mr. Geurts, ladies and gentlemen, and a special welcome to our distinguished veterans of the Italian Campaign, in particular to Smoky Smith, our true guest of honour today. Good morning everyone. At Veterans Affairs Canada, nothing is more important than recognizing and honouring those who have given to Canada. It is a great honour to be here today surrounded by Canadian legends. Smoky Smith and the men who fought with him in the Italian campaign. Every one of these veterans had all the qualities of the rarest and most valuable stamps. They are symbols of national pride, survivors of national struggles, carriers of our national spirit. And just like any stamp, they delivered for Canadians. You all know that the first Canadian won the Victoria Cross just a dozen years after the first adhesive stamp, the Penny Black, was issued. Smoky Smith is the last of the great Canadian collection of heroes who put their stamp on our history. And now it is time for their history to be on our stamp. At Veterans Affairs, one of our great challenges is to guard the memory of Smoky Smith and every other Canadian who stepped out of ordinary times to achieve the extraordinary for Canada. Every Canadian who uses this stamp will reflect on its meaning, on the history it represents. And in a small way every day, the pride we draw from the achievements of Victoria cross winners will inspire yet another generation of Canadians. I would like to thank Canada Post and my Colleagues Minister Graham and Minister McCallum for giving us this lasting tribute to our veterans that will stick with us for all time. - 30 -
