Minister of Veterans Affairs marks the start of Veterans’ Week

Ottawa, ON – Today, the Honourable Jill McKnight, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, issued the next assertion:  

“Today marks the start of Veterans’ Week, a time for all Canadians to convey their gratitude to fallen and former members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Royal Canadian Mounted Police who served our nation in uniform. 

“This yr’s theme—Canadian Armed Forces within the Americas—invitations us to replicate on the navy contributions and sacrifices which have been made right here in Canada and in help of continental neighbours who’ve wanted our help. 

“Some of our Second World War Veterans served within the Battle of the Gulf of St. Lawrence, bravely persevering with their mission regardless of the specter of German U-boats coming into the Cabot Strait and the Strait of Belle Isle between 1942 and 1944. Thousands extra contributed throughout Canada by coaching aircrew, sustaining provide strains, and working radar stations, coastal batteries, and long-range patrols to guard our shores. 

“More lately, Veterans have been lively in home and worldwide missions. On the shores of the Red River in 1997, they stuffed sandbags to maintain rising waters from spilling into houses and helped evacuate Manitobans affected by historic flooding. In 1998, they got here to the rescue after a significant ice storm struck components of Ontario, Quebec and New Brunswick. With NORAD, they scanned our skies for threats and scrambled jets to maintain North American airspace protected and safe. And when a devastating earthquake levelled a lot of Port-au-Prince in 2010, greater than 2,000 Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Air Force and Royal Canadian Navy personnel spent months delivering important medical providers and humanitarian assist to Haitians in misery. 

“Veterans’ Week is our alternative to honour all those that served in these operations and in others like them. It’s additionally a second to honour the various Canadians who served with distinction, and to acknowledge the inspiration they’ve supplied to 1000’s of present CAF members who keep on their proud legacy. We are grateful for his or her service, and for the households and communities who help them. 

“In the approaching days, I invite Canadians to put on a poppy, attend a ceremony, observe two minutes of silence on Remembrance Day and share tales with the subsequent technology. 

“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I lengthen my deepest respect and recognition to all those that have served. 

“Lest we forget.”

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