Government of Canada remembers sacrifices made by those who served during First World War

Annual Remembrance Day Ceremony held at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial

VIMY, France, Nov. 8, 2015 /CNW/ - On behalf of the Government of Canada, Colonel Guy Maillet, Canadian Military Attaché, joined Canadian and French citizens and officials today for a ceremony of remembrance at the Canadian National Vimy Memorial. Colonel Maillet was joined at the event by M. Nicholas Honoré, Sous-préfet of Béthune, representing the French Republic.

Among those in attendance were local dignitaries, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Canadian and French Veterans, representatives of the Royal Canadian Legion, and Canadian students. The moving ceremony recognized the service and sacrifices made in the name of peace and freedom by men and women from both countries over the past 100 years.

Quick Facts

• Situated on a high point of Vimy Ridge—the site of a battle that is central to the contribution of Canada to the First World War—the majestic Canadian National Vimy Memorial commemorates more than 60,000 Canadians who died in France.
• Remembrance Day, first observed in 1919 throughout the British Commonwealth, was originally called "Armistice Day" to commemorate the agreement that ended the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.—on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
• More than 2,300,000 Canadians have served throughout our nation's history and more than 118,000 have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Quotes

"Each year, during Veterans' Week, at gatherings in Canadian communities and at historic sites across the Atlantic such as the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, we pay tribute to those who have served Canada. It is a moving experience to reflect on the stories of our brothers and sisters in uniform, in one of the very locations that has defined Canada's proud military contributions to the world."
The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs

"We owe it to those millions of men and women who lost their lives, to take a couple of hours each year to commemorate and honor their determination, their courage and their sacrifices. They paid it forward at a very high price so we could benefit from the freedoms and liberties we enjoy today."
Colonel Guy Maillet, Canadian Military Attaché, France

Associated Links

• Canadian National Vimy Memorial
• Remember Them

SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada

For further information: Media Relations, Veterans Affairs Canada, 613-992-7468