Friday, November 11, 2011

Premier's Remembrance Day Message

The following is a statement issued by New Brunswick Premier David Alward for Remembrance Day in New Brunswick on November 11, 2011.
David Alward

Every year, Nov. 11 has been a time for Canadians to pay tribute to our war veterans and to respectfully remember the many sacrifices of those who died in the line of duty.

During the First World War, the Second World War, the Korean War and other conflicts abroad, the Canadian military played an important role in liberating oppressed peoples by standing up to tyranny. Time and time again, our brave men and women in uniform have done our province and our country proud in their combat and peacekeeping roles. 

In battles such as those fought at Vimy Ridge in 1917 and at Juno Beach in 1944, they often faced overwhelming enemy forces and unimaginable hardships. Yet they fought the good fight on land, at sea and in the sky until their mission was completed. Tens of thousands of Canadians, including many New Brunswickers, were killed during their tours of duty.

Today, soldiers from Canadian Forces Base Gagetown and other bases around our province are building upon a great legacy. Through their courage and conduct in the NATO-led mission in Afghanistan and in other deployments around the world, they are showing Canada and the international community that our country’s military units are second to none.

Our country remains a free, secure and democratic nation today because of the strength, courage and determination of our men and women who continue to serve in combat and peacekeeping missions. We owe them a tremendous debt of gratitude.

On behalf of all New Brunswickers, I thank our veterans for everything they have done and I also express our appreciation to those who serve in uniform today, for everything they continue to do to ensure a safer world for us all.

We must always remember those who gave their lives and show our gratitude to those who survived to help build the country we love and cherish. Our veterans know the cost of war; we will always remember their sacrifice. Their legacy to us is a strong, free Canada.


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