Remembrance Day 2009

November 11, 2009

It is my honour to be here this Remembrance Day to commemorate our Canadian Veterans.

Our veterans are ordinary men and women who have taken extraordinary action to protect our freedom, our democracy and the rule of law.

They have done so without hesitation... and without reservation.... And today all of us enjoy the rich legacy that they have created.

I am here today as a proud and grateful Canadian, but also as a representative of Gov.
 
It is no small responsibility to be one of the 308 persons who vote on sending our troops into harm’s way, and our government and I take that responsibility very seriously.

I also bring Remembrance Day greetings today from the Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veteran’s Affairs, and the Prime Minister of Canada.
Veterans are a source of pride that unites all Canadians... They help us remember why we are proud to be Canadian, and they reinforce the values that Canada stands for: peace, freedom, democracy and human rights.

In 1942, a young man of 16 joined the Canadian Forces to serve his country, and that man was my father….  So, today I remember my father, and his contribution to the future of his country.

Years later another young man made the decision to serve our Canadian Military, and that man was my own son….  So, today I also remember all those who have wished sons and daughters well as they go off into battle, and I mourn with all those who gave their lives in this great service.

In 2009, we still have many Veterans of the Canadian Forces who are returning home from missions around the world. These brave men and women have demonstrated time and again that they will rise to any challenge.

So, we not only pay tribute to all Veterans today, but we also honour those who continue to serve our country in Afghanistan and other areas of conflict.

Here today, in particular, we remember the life and service of some of our local veterans who lost their lives in the service of our country, and who even today are heroes to our community.
   
A wise leader once said that: “The history of the world is full of men who rose to leadership by sheer force of self-confidence, bravery and tenacity.”

This Remembrance Day we pause and reflect on the leadership and sacrifice of all of our Canadian Veterans - these men and women that have shown such great leadership, self-confidence, bravery and tenacity in the proud service of our country.

Thank you.  And God Bless.