Morrisburg, ON - 11 November 2013
Greetings, everyone.
Colleagues from the Parliament of Canada, your Member of Parliament Guy Lauzon, members of the Canadian military, veterans, re-enactors, organizers, friends of Crysler’s Farm, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, let me begin with some good news: the Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry Highlanders apparently learned today that Her Majesty, the Queen, has agreed to become their Colonel-in-Chief.
So congratulations to the Highlanders.
The Highlanders are one of three regiments tracing their roots here to Crysler’s Farm.
The Highlanders are accompanied by members of the Voltigeurs de Québec and the Royal 22nd Regiment.
It is fitting that all should be present when we mark a turning point in Canada’s history, the Battle of Crysler’s Farm.
Today, the Americans are our great friends and our strongest allies, and have been for many decades through thick and thin.
200 years ago today, however, in conditions much like these, Canadians - English, French, Aboriginal - stood here with their British allies against an American invasion.
The very existence of their communities - small, scattered, isolated, diverse - was at stake.
They were outnumbered by an invading force almost three to one.
Yet, they won here a great and decisive victory, which shows that it’s not always the size of the army in the fight; often it’s the size of the fight in the army.
Citizen soldiers, these Canadians were ordinary men who did extraordinary things.
Their gift to us is a separate and distinct country on this continent, the true North, strong and free.
Our country, Canada, the best country in the world.
And friends, I know I speak for all Canadians in expressing my heartfelt gratitude not just to the heroes of Crysler’s Farm and that time, but to all members of the Canadian Armed Forces past and present who have ever taken up arms to defend this country and the values for which we stand.
It is by the blood of Canada’s fallen that freedom has become the birthright of every Canadian.
That is why we gather at this time every year across Canada in the act of remembrance.
We cannot repay our debt to those we mourn, but we can cherish the freedom they won.
We can, and we will say always...
We will remember them.
Thank you.
