Jonquière, Québec
January 14, 2011
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Hello and thank you for that warm welcome.
It is an honour to be here today to continue a long-standing partnership that preserves and promotes the legacy of Canada's greatest heroes ... our Veterans and service men and women.
The Memory Project and its Speakers Bureau is an important program that brings Veterans and young people together to explore first-hand the realities of war as well as the importance of Remembrance.
Veterans Affairs has supported the Historica-Dominion Institute over a number of years. The work done by this organization has an impact on countless schools and community centres across Canada.
Many Veterans, including some who have recently retired from the Canadian Forces, have visited your classrooms and your community groups to share their stories with hundreds of thousands of young people.
The Memory Project is a well-respected, well-recognized and well-established program.
It brings history to life.
It bridges the gap between generations and opens the door to dialogue and interaction. It also gives a better understanding and appreciation of what Canada's truest heroes experienced during times of war, whether it be the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, the Gulf War, or the peacekeeping missions in Bosnia, Afghanistan and elsewhere around the world.
By talking about their experiences, Canada's Veterans help you understand a phenomenon that we only experience from a distance. We are fortunate to live in peace and freedom, thanks to their devotion and bravery. In fact, this is their message to you. They fight overseas for world peace.
I do believe that your generation understands this message. Volunteers with The Memory Project are often told by their young listeners that their stories and first-hand encounters have a lasting impact. Their stories give heart to the human aspect of war.
These eye-opening accounts of danger, love, bravery, friendship, and courage are essential chapters in the book of Canadian history, and you are fortunate to be able to hear a few of them today.
We are thankful to them for sharing their experiences, their sacrifices and their accomplishments with us, on behalf of all Canadians.
The average age of Canada's Second World War Veterans is now 87, so you can see, as each day passes, capturing their stories becomes more and more important to all Canadians. But when they went to war, these people were your age, or just a few years older.
As well, our Canadian Forces Veterans have lived ... and are living ... our recent history. It's important to hear from them about the difference they are making in countries where values such as peace, freedom, tolerance, and diversity are not the norm.
The heritage of Canada's Veterans and service men and women must be remembered. Veterans Affairs has a leadership role to play in ensuring that young people, new Canadians, and all Canadians do not lose touch with this aspect of our military heritage. But we do not stand alone in this task.
Programs like The Memory Project promote and continue our remembrance traditions. They give life and a new dimension to our historical past. Through the important work of The Memory Project and the Speakers Bureau, our Veterans … our heroes … have a way to share first-hand these important facets of their life stories … as well as the chapters of this country's great story.
I hope you listen a little closer to the speakers and volunteers who come before you today. They have lived history like you'll never imagine.
Je vous remercie.
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