The Honourable Ann Meekitjuk Hanson
Commissioner of Nunavut
VE-Day Remembrance Ceremony
07 May 2005
Royal Canadian Legion Branch #168 Iqaluit
Veterans, Members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, honoured guests and all people of Nunavut:
On behalf of the Canadian Forces, the Directorate of History and Heritage has reprinted a book titled Liberation -- The Canadians in Europe. This book is reproduced to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands and the end of the Second World War in Europe.
Her Excellency, the Governor General of Canada, has kindly written the preface, and the Ministers of National Defence and Veterans Affairs, jointly signed a personal message.
It is my privilege today to be presenting these books as a token of appreciation to express the Canadian Forces' gratitude for the service of our veterans and the participants on this historic pilgrimage.
To a Veteran of the Canadian Woman Army Corps (C.W.A.C),Regiment No. W3164, Marjorie Lalonde: For serving your country and community selflessly for so many years!
To the Royal Canadian Legion, Chris Groves, also representing the Veterans, the Military, the Cadets and the Rangers: please ensure the book is available to the youth of your organization.
To the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Sergeant Brigit Léger: During the Second World War, the RCMP members were one of the main resources as "news-givers" from the outside world because they had radios. Inuit were kept informed of what was going on in a land we could only know as "a land far away."
To the Department of Education, Ed Picco or Levinia Brown: It is important that we, as Canadians, know our own history. This book is about Canadians who were overseas fighting for freedom. This book will help our students learn and live amongst the veterans.
To the Nunavut Library Services, Mr. Eepeebee Lyta or Levinia Brown: Let this book be available to the public. Let the people be moved by Canadians who fought for us by reading or just looking at the pictures.
Thank you