Media Advisory
June 26, 2007
The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, will lead a delegation of 26 Veterans to France from August 16 to 21, 2007, to commemorate the 65th Anniversary of the Dieppe Raid. The official delegation will include Second World War Veterans who participated in the campaign, representatives of major Veterans' organizations and youth.
Media interested in accompanying the delegation must contact Veterans Affairs Canada at the number below, by July 11, 2007. Spaces are limited. Transportation and accommodation expenses from the Canadian point of departure to France will be covered by Veterans Affairs Canada; for those outlets with pay policies, these expenses are estimated to be approximately $4,000 per person.
During the trip, the delegation will return to the shores of Dieppe, France where, on August 19, 1942, almost 5,000 members of the 2nd Canadian Infantry Division landed as part of Operation Jubilee. Of those who took part, more than 3,300 Canadians would become casualties, including 1,946 prisoners of war and 913 who lost their lives.
While in France, the delegation will participate in ceremonies of remembrance at The Royal Regiment of Canada Monument in Puys; the Cimetière des Vertus and Square du Canada in Dieppe; and the Pourville Memorial in Pourville. They will visit sites of historical significance and honour Canada's fallen with visits to the Saint-Aubin-le-Cauf Churchyard Cemetery; Saint Sever Cemetery; and the Petit Appeville Memorial.
For more information about the Dieppe Raid visit the Veterans Affairs Canada Web site.
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Media Enquiries:
Janice Summerby Media Relations Advisor Veterans Affairs Canada (613) 992-7468
All Other Enquiries:information@vac-acc.gc.ca
