Rideau Hall, Saturday, June 27, 2015

Welcome all of you to this spectacular display of pageantry, precision and colour.

What a magnificent way to kick off the summer!

The Ceremonial Guard is once again ready to take up their positions here at Rideau Hall, on Parliament Hill and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

I’m delighted that so many families have come to Rideau Hall to witness this wonderful parade.

Today, we pay tribute to the men and women standing before us.

We owe them a debt of gratitude for their service to our country.

The members of the Ceremonial Guard come from right across Canada, and their record of service is impressive.

Some of these men and women have served in Afghanistan, the former Yugoslavia, Cyprus, Haiti and Africa. And some have taken part in relief efforts closer to home, including the Quebec and Manitoba floods, and the Alberta forest fires.

They stand out because of their unique and distinctive appearance, their uniform, their discipline, their composure.

But what makes them truly stand out is their commitment to duty, honour and service.

They deserve our respect for what they’ve done as members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

Today is a chance to officially welcome them to our nation’s capital, and to show them what they mean to us.

I’d like to say a personal thank you to each member of the Ceremonial Guard.

Thank you for being a part of this great tradition. 

Thank you for your service to our country. 

And finally, thank you for bringing joy to the young and the young-at-heart, who will see you throughout the summer.

I count myself among the young-at-heart!

I’m always impressed by the strength and endurance of the Ceremonial Guard. The sheer will it takes to stand outside, in the harsh sun or the driving rain, and to do so without losing your composure is remarkable.

It certainly impresses the thousands of visitors who come to Rideau Hall!

People leave here with a greater appreciation for what you and your comrades do for our country each and every day.

I wish all of you a fantastic summer.

Thank you.