Address at the Dedication of the Cairn at TIES

November 09, 2007

Distinguished Veterans, youth, ladies and gentlemen.

I am honoured to be here on behalf of the Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs and to participate in this special dedication ceremony for the new Lansdowne Veterans Memorial.

It is wonderful to see so many students from Thousand Islands Elementary School here today.  The participation of young people, like yourselves is so important in our towns and cities, so that Veterans know they will be remembered.

Today, we honour a unique group of people. Veterans. Men and women who served their nation valiantly in times of war and in times of peace.

We also honour those who continue to serve our country in Afghanistan and other areas of conflict.
These men and women uphold a noble Canadian tradition by taking an active role in bringing stability and peace to parts of the world that have seen turmoil and upheaval.

We also honour heroes of past conflicts. This year, for example, we marked the 65th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid and the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele.

We witnessed the passing of two of our country’s last known First World War Veterans.

And in April, thousands of Canadians from coast to coast  watched ceremonies in France commemorating the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the dedication of the restored Canadian National Vimy Memorial.

Canadians must remember.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we have to be pro-active in our remembrance activities … much like you are demonstrating here today.

Let us commemorate the contributions of our Veterans, honour the memory of those who did not make it home, and support those who continue to serve.

Our Veterans remember their comrades’ each time they share a story with a young person. Teachers do it every day as they explore our country’s history with their students. And you and I do it through the simplest of acts … a word ... a conversation ... a pause for thinking about the Veterans.

But there is more to be done. Remembrance should not be confined to a single week each year. As parents, educators, mentors, and community members, we must be willing to take an active role.

We must ensure that our Veterans and the courageous men and women who continue to serve today are not forgotten.

That is why our Government appointed this country’s first Veterans Ombudsman to champion their concerns and issues.

And that is why, in the Speech from the Throne a few weeks ago, our Government committed to improving our programs and services to those Veterans who have contributed so much to defend Canada.

That is also why the location of this cairn is so appropriate, as it will be what students, parents and teachers see at the beginning and end of each school day. This cairn will serve as a constant reminder of the sacrifices made by our military in the past, present and in the future.

For we are the future they fought for and, as Canadians, we cherish the values that they are still fighting for in many parts of the world. We owe it to our future to remember.

In closing, thank you to Janet Gaylord, her committee, and all the residents of Lansdowne for your dedicated commitment to remembrance and commemoration.

Lest We Forget.