November 8, 2004

November 11th marks a day that every Canadian should be proud of. It is the day that we pay tribute to the men and women who have served our country to promote freedom and democracy around the world.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Italian Campaign during the Second World War when Italy was liberated from Nazi troops. Canadians and other allied forces fought for more than 20 months in Italy. Landing in Sicily, Canadian forces moved through Italy fighting through the heat of summer and the snow and cold of winter. They were determined in their mission and did not give up.

As many as 93, 000 Canadians fought in the Italy Campaign, nearly 20,000 were wounded and almost 6,000 died. Canada’s last living Victoria Cross recipient was among the Canadian forces in Italy. Ernest (Smokey) Smith was honoured last month near Cesena, Italy for his war efforts.

Let us never forget the sacrifices made, let us remember and pay tribute to the contribution Canada’s veterans have made in the First and Second

World Wars, the Korean War, in peacekeeping missions and current operations around the world.