NR - 11.058 - June 19, 2011
OTTAWA ─ The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, issued the following statement for Father’s Day:
"Soldiers, sailors and airmen are the protectors of our great nation while fathers often find themselves protecting the interests of their families. To do both effectively, you often sacrifice your time, your wants, your dreams, your needs.
From coast to coast, there are military families missing their fathers and fathers missing their loved ones. These fathers are at war, protecting civilians from tyranny, or helping others closer to home prevent catastrophe, while they long for their loved ones and their children wait to see them again.
It's a heart-wrenching dual role ─ duty to country and duty to family. I admire and thank the men who handle both of these responsibilities, and I admire and thank those families who, today, are patiently waiting for daddy to come home.
This Father's Day, I salute all of you who make very personal sacrifices in order to make the world a better place. This, to me, is the definition of “hero.”
Happy Father's Day."
