Minister of Veterans Affairs
Korean War Commemorative Service
Ottawa, Ontario
November 28, 2011
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- Your Excellency Joo Hong Nam, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea,
- Ambassador Nam,
- Deputy Minister Suzanne Tining,
- Major General Poulter,
- Veterans Ombudsman, Mr. Guy Parent,
- Deputy Mayor of the City of Ottawa, Mr. Steve Desroches,
- Honoured Veterans, in particular our Veterans of the Korean War,
- Ladies and gentlemen.
This evening, we remember the more than 26,000 courageous Canadian men and women who served in the Korean War, of whom 516 bravely gave their lives in the cause of freedom.
This Veterans’ Week, we honour all those who have sacrificed to make our world a safer place.
As we gather here this evening, Canadian Veterans of the Korean War are joining serving members of the Canadian Forces in a commemorative ceremony in Busan.
Their coming together at this ceremony in the Republic of Korea is symbolic of the unbroken circle of remembrance that links all of the brave men and women who serve Canada.
Our Government is dedicated to honouring both our Veterans and our service men and women who still proudly defend Canadian values around the world.
We remember those heroes who gave their all… on Vimy Ridge… on the beach at Dieppe… and on the mountain in Korea known as Hill 355.
Wherever their service took them, their sacrifices made it possible for others to live in peace and enjoy freedom.
We will never forget them.
Tomorrow, as we mark Remembrance Day across the country, we will look across the ranks of our Veterans and see some with long-weathered faces. We will also recognize younger faces in the crowd.
We will look at these faces and see the best of who we are.
We will see them, and we will re-commit to remembering those who fought … those who died… and those who remain.
We will remember their families.
Veterans’ Week is our opportunity to see them, and to thank them, and to remind ourselves that, as a nation, we must continue to be there for them.
This Veterans’ Week, we ask Canadians to make remembrance more than something you feel… make it something you do.
Lest we forget.
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