The Government of Canada has declared 2005 to be The Year of the Veteran. Throughout 2005 Canadians will remember, honour, celebrate and teach our youth about the service and sacrifice of our veterans through events, ceremonies and activities held in cities and towns across Canada. We are asking Canadians to surrender their time, volunteer their hearts and take twelve months to remember a century of sacrifice.

2005 marks an important milestone in our history. It was 60 years ago that the Netherlands was liberated and victory was declared in Europe and later in the Pacific. The trail to victory in the Second World War was blazed by Canadians in France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Hong Kong and on the seas crossed to reach them. It was a victory marked by immense courage and marred by the tragedy of more than forty thousand Canadians whose sacrifice is etched in cemeteries across Europe and the Far East.

It is now time for all Canadians to join in a new battle, a battle against the amnesia of time. It is time to send a message to surviving veterans that we remember, we are grateful, and we care.

The Year of the Veteran is our year to deliver that message to a noble generation that delivered for every Canadian.

Albina Guarnieri, PC., M.P.

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