Minister O'Regan engages youth on Canadian military heritage

Charlottetown high school students welcome special visitor

CHARLOTTETOWN, Oct. 13, 2017 /CNW/ - Canada's service women and men have served our country with bravery, honour and dignity—putting their lives at risk to protect the values Canadians cherish most. To ensure that their legacy continues, it is important to educate Canadian youth and future generations on the contributions that these Canadian heroes have made in shaping the Canada we know today.

Today, the Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, visited with students at Charlottetown Rural High School in Prince Edward Island to unveil this year's Veterans' Week poster and highlight the sacrifices and contributions made by Canadian service men and women—past and present—with a focus on Veterans' Week and the Battle of Passchendaele of the First World War.

Veterans' Week 2017, observed from November 5 to 11, marks the centennial of Canada's participation in the Battle of Passchendaele, which began on October 26 and ended on November 10, 1917.

This Veterans' Week, all Canadians are encouraged to express their gratitude and appreciation for Canadian Armed Forces members, Veterans, Royal Canadian Mounted Police members and those who have given their lives in service, who come from diverse ethnic, linguistic, cultural and regional backgrounds. Join the conversation on social media to take part in #CanadaRemembers and #Passchendaele100, or visit Canada.ca/Canada-Remembers.

Quotes

"Engaging our youth is fundamental to ensuring the torch of remembrance continues to burn brightly for future generations. Every Canadian—young and old—is fortunate to live in a country where values such as peace, freedom and democracy are protected and defended by our courageous service men and women. Veterans' Week is an opportunity for Canadians to pay tribute to all our men and women in uniform and to remember those who gave their lives and those who continue to serve to make our world a safer place."
— The Honourable Seamus O'Regan, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

Quick Facts

• 2017 is a special year of commemoration for Canada, including Canada 150, the 100^th anniversaries of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and the Battle of Passchendaele, and the 75^th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid.
• Since Confederation, more than 2.3 million Canadians have served in uniform to defend freedom and democracy—with more than 118,000 having given their lives.
• This year's Veterans' Week poster image depicts the muddy, crater-filled and desolate battlefield of Passchendaele in Belgium. In the middle of the image is a single blood-red poppy, offering a vivid splash of colour against the somber scene and most importantly, serving as a powerful call to remember those who served and died in the cause of peace and freedom.
• Some 100,000 members of the Canadian Corps took part in the Battle of Passchendaele. Victory came at a great cost: more than 4,000 Canadian soldiers killed and almost 12,000 wounded.
• Nine Canadian soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross for their actions during the Battle of Passchendaele—the highest award for military valour a Canadian can earn. Learn more about these nine remarkable stories at Canada.ca/ Canada-Remembers.
• The Government of Canada has improved the services and benefits offered to Veterans and their caregivers and families. To all Veterans, members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and their families—Veterans Affairs Canada is here for you. Learn how we can help at veterans.gc.ca/services.

Associated Links

• Canada Remembers – Official Veterans' Week webpage

SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada

For further information: Media Relations, Veterans Affairs Canada, 613-992-7468, [e-mail]; Alex Wellstead, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs, 613-996-4649

Related Links

www.veterans.gc.ca