Senate Ceremony Marks Veterans' Week 2013

OTTAWA, Nov. 4, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Noël A. Kinsella, Speaker of the Senate of Canada, and the Honourable Andrew Scheer, Speaker of the House of Commons, joined the Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, to mark Veterans' Week 2013 during a ceremony today in the Senate Chamber.

"Today we gather in the Senate Chamber to mark Veterans' Week 2013," said Speaker Kinsella. "This is a time to honour the men and women who stood in harm's way to defend our nation, its principles and values, and to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice."

"I join all members of Parliament in thanking Canada's Veterans," said Speaker Scheer. "It is because of the enormous contributions of these courageous men and women that Canadians enjoy the freedoms and liberties they have today."

Veterans' Week is celebrated every year from November 5 to 11. During this week, the Government of Canada as well as Veterans' groups, charities and individual Canadians host hundreds of commemorative ceremonies and events across the country to remember the achievements and sacrifices of Canada's Veterans and still serving Canadian Armed Forces personnel.

"Wherever or whenever they have served, Canada's Veterans have done so in response to something greater than themselves," said Minister Fantino. "Therefore, it is essential that, as a nation, we honour them while they are with us, and we honour their memory. Each year, at this time, we renew our promise of remembrance."

This year's Senate Ceremony commemorated the 60^th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice. The Korean War was one of Canada's most significant military engagements of the 20^th century. More than 26,000 Canadians served in the Korean War prior to the signing of the Armistice on July 27, 1953, that ended the active fighting. From this year moving forward, the Government of Canada has also declared July 27^th as Korean War Veterans Day.

This Veterans' Week, your challenge is to show you remember. Wearing a poppy, attending a local Remembrance Day ceremony and changing your Facebook profile picture to a poppy are all ways to remember and honour Veterans. Visit veterans.gc.ca to get interactive and share your thoughts or to find commemorative events in your community.

For more information on Veterans Affairs Canada's programs and services, visit veterans.gc.ca.

2013 is the Year of the Korean War Veteran—Canada proudly remembers the heroes of the Korean War and their brave fight to defend the Republic of Korea and uphold freedom, democracy and the rule of law.

SOURCE: Veterans Affairs Canada