Minister of Veterans Affairs
Senate Ceremony
Ottawa, Ontario
November 28, 2011
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Thank you Major Gauthier.
Speaker Kinsella,
Speaker Scheer,
Senator Yonah Martin,
General Natynczyk
Honoured Veterans,
Members of the Canadian Forces,
Other distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.
With Veterans’ Week upon us, I want to take this solemn occasion to offer my deep appreciation … and that of my family … to the many, many Canadians who have made incredible sacrifices in the name of freedom, democracy and the rule of law.
In the months since the Prime Minister appointed me Minister of Veterans Affairs, I have met Veterans, young and old.
I have embraced the opportunity to learn more about Canada’s military culture and the needs of our service men and women.
I have welcomed home troops from Afghanistan and spent a weekend on exercises with 35 Canadian Brigade Group.
I’ve been moved to tears listening to elderly men read the Act of Remembrance.
And I’ve had very lively discussions with school children on what it means to remember.
These experiences have confirmed it is vital that Canadians become more aware of these Veterans’ incredible sacrifices and accomplishments … and hold them in their thoughts.
Canadian feminist, politician, and social activist Nellie McClung once said:
“People must know the past to understand the present and face the future.”
Commemoration is an appreciation of the past.
It’s an understanding of how past actions in war, missions, conflicts and peace impact future generations.
Remembrance is the recollection of triumph and tragedy.
It is the memory of good friends made … and good friends lost.
Commemoration also offers us a way to show our respect and honour our Veterans.
A few weeks ago, Master Corporal Tessier—who is part of today’s ceremony—joined me and a group of school children at Maple Ridge Elementary in Orléans. We talked about the importance of remembering those who fought for our country.
Given the fact that for some Canadians, their only experience of war comes to them through television or through other means of mass communication … the children were enthusiastically responsive.
They ranged in age from 9 to 13 and pretty much every one of them knew someone who was a Veteran or a soldier.
Regardless of age, and when or where a Veteran served, our commitment to them is the same.
These are men and women who sacrificed for Canada.
They have our respect and they deserve our utmost care and recognition.
This is the very essence of Veterans’ Week.
In 2011, the focus is not just on the past, but on the future, too.
Our eyes are on the new horizon before us. On the young men and women who have recently completed their combat missions in the Middle East.
Our thoughts are with Veterans who have many years before them, as well as with those whose battles are far behind them.
Ours is a long history—one that stretches from the tunnels of Vimy Ridge to the skies above Libya.
From the streets of Ortona to the hills of Panjwaii.
The place names may be different. The planes, ships and weapons may have evolved … but the dedication and commitment of Canada’s men and women in uniform have never changed.
Veterans are a constant source of pride for all Canadians. In times of global uncertainty—where we see nations struggle to grow into democratic societies—Canada’s Veterans stand as guardians of all that is right in OUR world.
As more and more Canadian Forces Veterans take their rightful place alongside traditional war Veterans, we are finding new ways to honour and pay tribute to all Veterans … extending the continuum of remembrance to a new generation.
I encourage all Canadians to take a moment during the week to reflect upon what life would be like without these heroes.
As we look across their ranks, what will we see?
We will see the best of who we are.
We will see ordinary men and women who have done extraordinary things in the service of our country.
We will see the faces of people we must never forget.
Veterans’ Week is our opportunity to thank them in any number of ways.
This Veterans’ Week, we ask Canadians to make remembrance more than something you feel … make it something you do.
How will you remember?
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