June 6, 2010 

Message from Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General and Commander-in-Chief of Canada, on the occasion of Canadian Forces Day

OTTAWA— Since the beginning of my mandate as Commander-in-Chief of Canada, I have had the privilege of working beside members of our Canadian Forces and of seeing them in action in their missions across the country and around the world. 

I have seen that these women and men share the same powerful motivation: to serve their country by defending—and sometimes dying for—the values of freedom, justice and peace that we hold so dear. I admire their courage, their bravery, their skills, their sense of duty and dedication, and their incredible generosity. 

I am also extremely moved by what their families and loved ones go through, always ready to support them, worried about and separated from them, and, when the worst happens, facing the cruel loss of a dear one. I am always touched when they allow me to support them in their grief, as well as in happy times. 

On this Canadian Forces Day, I invite you all to pay tribute to the women and men who make our country proud and bring honour to Canada.

Michaëlle Jean 

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Canadian Forces Day is on June 6, 2010.

Media Information:
Marie-Ève Létourneau
Rideau Hall Press Office                                  
613-998-0287                                                   
www.gg.ca 
www.citizenvoices.gg.ca