These moments, this hour, this day, we dedicate to our soldiers.
We dedicate this day to all of the soldiers who have sacrificed for our nation. From the young unknown soldier who lies entombed at our National War Memorial to Corporal Nathan Cirillo who died guarding over that tomb just a few weeks ago.
We dedicate this day to every soldier who has fought in every conflict in our nation’s history. From the young men who went overseas 100 years ago to the men and women who left just a few weeks ago to subdue the chilling threat of ISIS in the Middle East. We dedicate this day to the aged men and women who sit here with us today, and to their comrades who we will never forget.
We dedicate this day to the men and women who have helped shape and define our nation. The role Canadian forces have played in conflicts and peacekeeping missions around the world have instilled in us all a sense of pride for our country and for our service men and women.
And of course we dedicate this day to soldiers killed here at home in recent weeks. As a nation we were shocked and saddened by the violent, intentional deaths of Warrant Officer Patrice Vincent and Corporal Nathan Cirillo.
Their deaths were a modern reminder of the utter sadness and tragedy of war and brought home to Canadians the real price of freedom.
Amid the sadness there is much to be proud of. The sacrifices Canadian soldiers have made have been great, but so too are their accomplishments. Canada’s Hundred Days, when our military broke through German defenses, indeed broke their spirit to fight, helped bring an end to the First World War. There were 30,000 Canadians on the beach at Juno on D-Day in World War II, pushing further into France than any other military forces landing that day. And Canada’s armed forces were on the ground in Afghanistan, helping to bring peace and human rights to the Afghanistan people.
Amid these historic, military aircraft that still hold us in awe, there is also much to be proud of. The aircraft here are more than planes. They are a tangible link to our military history and to the technicians and pilots and all of the men and women who made their flights successful. The most awe-inspiring among them, is the mighty Lancaster. There could be nothing as fearsome to the enemy, or hopeful to the oppressed, as the roar of the Lancaster’s Rolls-Royce Merlins engines. It’s echo – a promise that soon Canadian soldiers and freedom were on their way.
Amid those gathered here today, we are proud of our heroes. The sacrifices they made and the hell they endured because of their love of family and love of country certainly make all Canadians proud. The contributions our Veterans have made to our nation, by ensuring our freedoms in long ago conflicts and then by helping build our great nation at home, are worthy of our thanks, our respect and our pride.
These moments, this hour, this day, we dedicate to our soldiers. For your sacrifice and for our freedoms, thank you.
Delivered Tuesday, November 11, 2014 at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum