1,300 names commemorated
November 11, 2005
Ottawa -- Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, together with Prime Minister Paul Martin and Minister of Veterans Affairs Albina Guarnieri, today honoured members of the Canadian Forces who gave their lives in service to Canada during a dedication ceremony for the Seventh Book of Remembrance, held in the Hall of Honour on Parliament Hill. This new Book, entitled In the Service of Canada The Seventh Book of Remembrance, currently includes 1,300 names and was unveiled as part of Veterans' Week 2005 and the Year of the Veteran.
"The Seventh Book of Remembrance is the final chapter that never ends. It will be continuously updated to reflect the never-ending sacrifice that is the reality of military service," said Minister Guarnieri. "The Silver Cross Mother was our guest of honour representing all the mothers who lost sons and daughters in the service of Canada. The Prime Minister and Governor General were there to deliver the highest level of recognition that our country can offer."
The 2005 Silver Cross Mother, Mrs. Claire Léger, joined other families of those commemorated in the Seventh Book at the dedication ceremony. Mrs. Léger's son, Sgt. Marc Léger, was killed at Tarnak Farm in Afghanistan in 2002, and is commemorated on page 213 of the new Book of Remembrance. Directly following the dedication ceremony, guests attended the national Remembrance Day ceremony held at the National War Memorial.
The Seventh Book of Remembrance commemorates members of the Canadian Forces (Navy, Army, Air Force) who have died while on duty in Canada or serving overseas since October 1, 1947, with the exception of those who are commemorated in the Korean War Book of Remembrance. This includes those who died in times of conflict or during peacetime training exercises, peacekeeping deployments abroad or other military duty. The date, October 1, 1947, is significant because it is the day after which eligibility for entry in the Second World War Book of Remembrance closed.
The Seventh Book of Remembrance is designed to be a living document; it remains open for previously unidentified or future commemorations. Canadians are encouraged to contribute to the Book by submitting information that they may have regarding servicemen and women who have died while on duty in Canada or serving overseas since October 1947. A feature on the Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) Web site lists the names currently in the Book.
Additional names may be submitted for consideration, and digitized images of photos, medals and other memorabilia may be submitted to the Virtual War Memorial on the VAC Web site. Canadians are also invited to send information by regular mail to:
Veterans Affairs Canada Canada Remembers - Seventh Book of Remembrance Project 12th Floor, Room 1208 66 Slater St., Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0P4
During the Book's development, Veterans Affairs Canada consulted with Veterans and Canadian Forces members through the Seventh Book of Remembrance Advisory Committee, comprised of representatives from The Royal Canadian Legion; the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada; the National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada; the Canadian Peacekeeping Veterans Association; the Canadian Association of Veterans in United Nations Peacekeeping; and the Gulf War Veterans of Canada, as well as the Department of National Defence.
The Seventh Book will now be added to the other six Books of Remembrance currently displayed in the Memorial Chamber of the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill. They commemorate those Canadians who lost their lives during the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, the 1885 Nile Expedition and the South African War, as well as Merchant Navy and Newfoundland Forces. Every morning at 11:00 a.m., pages of the Books of Remembrance are turned to recognize and honour Canada's war and Canadian Forces service dead. Each year, more than half a million visitors view Canada's Books of Remembrance. These Books can also be found on the VAC Web site.
2005 is the Year of the Veteran: Celebrate. Honour. Thank. Remember. Teach.
Backgrounders
In the Service of Canada The Seventh Book of Remembrance: Book Design and Illumination
Canada's Seven Books of Remembrance
The Peace Tower and the Memorial Chamber:Honouring Canada's Military Heroes
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Media Enquiries:
Janice Summerby Media Relations Advisor Veterans Affairs Canada (613) 992-7468
Corey Hobbs Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs (613) 996-4649
All Other Enquiries:information@vac-acc.gc.ca
