Government of Canada Marks the Battle of Britain

OTTAWA, Sept. 17, 2012 /CNW/ - The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, issued the following statement today regarding the 72^nd anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

"The Battle of Britain, between July and October in 1940, was a significant chapter in Canada's military history.

Historians have noted that the Battle of Britain was the first crucial air battle of the Second World War. Seen as a turning point in the war, the Battle of Britain and the efforts of the Air Force prevented the Germans from sweeping the Allies from Western Europe and kept the torch of freedom burning at a time when the enemy had conquered nation after nation on the continent. Canadians serving with the Royal Air Force and the Royal Canadian Air Force fought with valour to help in the defence of Britain and nobly defend the values we continue to cherish and protect today.

When it became clear that the Royal Air Force could not be defeated, the battle drew to a close. Canadians, together with British and other Allied forces, saved Britain from invasion and helped pave the way for the liberation of Europe later in the war.

As Canadians, we must stand together to ensure these heroes are never forgotten. We must honour the contributions our service men and women have made and continue to make in the name of freedom. They represent the very best of what it means to be Canadian. Today, we remember the Canadian heroes of the Battle of Britain."

Ceremonies were held across the country this past weekend to commemorate the anniversary of this crucial air battle. In Dieppe, New Brunswick, Robert Goguen, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, laid a wreath at a ceremony at the J. Laurie Cormier POW Park.

For more information on the Battle of Britain, please visit veterans.gc.ca.

SOURCE: Veterans Affairs Canada