Toronto, Ontario
November 28, 2011
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Thank you MP Adler for that warm welcome and for having me in your riding for this special announcement.
Mr. Everett Blustein (Secretary, Jewish War Veterans of Canada, Toronto Post),
Mr. Joe Warner (President, Jewish War Veterans of Canada, Toronto Post),
Mr. Amek Adler (Vice-president, Jewish War Veterans of Canada, Toronto Post),
Mr. Gary Siepser (Senior Vice-president, United Jewish Appeal Federation of Greater Toronto),
Mr. Peter Shurman (Member of Parliament, Thornhill),
Honoured Veterans,
Special guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.
First, I would like to take a moment and thank you for the kind invitation to be here today to unveil a very special project. I am honoured to be here on behalf of Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Government of Canada.
Memorials to honour our war dead are important touchstones. They bring communities together, regardless of age, gender, race or religion. They help us remember the men and women who served our country so that we may live in peace.
Generations of Canadians have sacrificed a great deal so that we may live in peace. We will be forever grateful for what our Veterans have accomplished and for what our military personnel do every day for our country.
Veterans’ Week—which is marked from November 5 to 11—allows us to remember their sacrifices and achievements.
But we have a responsibility to honour and remember throughout the year—not just during this one week.
Our government is committed to remembering and honouring the great sacrifices and tremendous achievements of all who have served … and their comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice.
I am very proud of this commitment . . . and of programs such as the one under which this project was supported—the Community War Memorial Program.
This program helps communities and organizations build cenotaphs or monuments, or make major additions to existing ones . . . to promote and preserve the memory of all those who have served Canada.
They are municipal landmarks . . . and community gathering places.
Ladies and gentlemen, we must do everything we can to keep remembrance alive.
And that starts at the local level—in communities like North York and others like it across the country.
It starts with groups like the Jewish War Veterans of Canada who led the charge on this magnificent memorial that we’re about to unveil.
In the two World Wars . . . in the Korean War . . . in countless military operations and peace support missions around the world . . . our soldiers have made Canada proud. They have defended our way of life . . . they have protected our freedom. They have liberated the oppressed and given solace to those who need a helping hand.
And, as we have been reminded in recent years . . . our freedom is not free. It has never been free . . . it comes with a price. And, unfortunately, that price can be very steep. A price those of the Jewish community are only too familiar with.
Veterans Affairs Canada is committed to working with communities across the country to commemorate the achievements and sacrifices of those who served Canada in times of war, military conflict and peace.
The citizens of North York have worked tirelessly to make this new monument a reality. You are a tremendous example of good civic leadership . . . and I applaud you for your efforts to find new ways to recognize and honour Canada’s Veterans.
The Jewish War Veterans Memorial will serve as an educational and commemorative tool to demonstrate that all Canadians have a responsibility to remember.
The names of members of the Jewish community who died while serving the Canadian Forces will be very tangible reminders of the price of our freedom.
It is gratifying to know that the thousands of guests and students who visit the Sherman Campus will have a special place like the Jewish War Veterans Memorial to reflect on our nation’s proud military history. And when you hold your very first Remembrance Day service here in a few days time … take a moment to ponder the importance of values like freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
Winston Churchill once said:
“What is the use of living . . . if it be not to strive for noble causes . . . and to make this muddled world a better place for those who will live in it after we are gone?”
Not only will the Jewish War Veterans Memorial stand the test of time but hopefully it will inspire the citizens of the North York Community to strive for that noble cause of making the world a better place.
By working together, just look at what we can accomplish.
I would like to thank Mr. Amek Adler, members of the Toronto Post of the Jewish War Veterans of Canada and all the citizens of North York for their hard work in making this day possible.
I also thank all Canadians who support the men and women of the Canadian Forces and who show such pride in Canada’s Veterans. As the faces of these brave individuals change . . . so do our ways of remembering their service and sacrifices.
We remember the men and women, from all branches of military service and all walks of life, who have served our country with extraordinary courage and dedication.
On the 11th day . . . Of the 11th month . . . At the 11th hour …
We will remember them.
