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November 6, 2006
by Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean
The monument we unveiled yesterday represents four centuries of history. No small undertaking! The choice was narrowed down to fourteen individuals who helped to shape our country.
Women and men whose heroism set them apart, from the seventeenth century colonial wars to the Second World War.
Early in the 20th century, Canada would be called upon to play a key role in a titanic struggle, the First World War. Canadians valiantly answered the call, ready to defend the principles of democracy and freedom against tyranny.
By the end of that war, more than 600,000 had served in uniform, and more than 60,000 had died.
The sacrifices Canadians made in that war, and the victories we secured, lifted Canada into the first ranks of nations. Our contribution gave Prime Minister Robert Borden the moral standing to insist that Canada and the other Dominions be treated as equals at the Paris Peace Conference and afterward.
Finally, we come to the last group of Valiants, men who served with great distinction, on land, in the air, and at sea, during the Second World War.
These veterans of the Second World War, and the other men and women honoured in this memorial, were instrumental in the progress of our country and helped lay the foundation of Canada.
Today, our Canadian Forces are again involved in a war. Under NATO command, they are fighting in Afghanistan against an elusive enemy as they strive to bring peace and stability to a country in unimaginable distress.
For the first time in many years, Canadians have been forced to come to terms with the harsh realities of armed conflict. For all of us, this is a painful, troubling experience.
Yet it has renewed our sense of responsibility toward other peoples in other countries.
And so, let us remember the fourteen Valiants, and all of the men and women who have served, and who still serve, in Canada’s military. Wherever they serve, in Canada and around the world, they are the guardians of our security, our freedom and the way of life that we hold dear.