Rideau Hall, Thursday, October 23, 2008

Ninety years ago, the entire world declared that it was through with war.

In Flanders Fields—where the bombs had been dropped, where the fallen had been buried, where the white crosses had been planted as far as the eye could see—wild poppies grew and flourished.

On that land that had seen so much death and been scarred by the trenches, life fought back, and prevailed.

As if to tell destiny that the forces of creation will always triumph over the forces of destruction.

As if to say that even the worst atrocities will never vanquish the beauty in the world.

It was that hope that inspired Dr. John McCrae when he wrote in his now-famous poem, In Flanders Fields: “Take up your quarrel with the foe; to you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high.”

It is that hope that pushed—and still pushes—thousands of young people to leave everything behind—family and friends—to come to the aid of women, men and children they have never even met, to save them from the yoke of oppression.

And it is that hope that we are sharing with all those around us when we wear a poppy on our lapel.

In so doing, we are saying that we will never forget.

We will never forget the immense gift of all of those sacrificed lives.

We will never forget the importance of their fight for freedom.

We will never forget how fragile this freedom is, a freedom that cost us so dearly.

Today, I am launching the Poppy Campaign, as we sow the promises of a better world.

I encourage all Canadians to wear this emblem over their hearts, allowing fields of poppies to blossom in communities all across Canada.

Thank you.