Remembrance Day 2013
F.H.C. Remembers
End of an Era
Remembrance Vignette
Remembrance Vignette 2013
I Am A Veteran
Canadian Military Personnel Killed
- World War I: 66, 665
- World War II: 46, 998
- Korea: 516
- Peacekeeping: 121
- Afghanistan: 157
Operation Apollo was Canada's military contribution to the war in Afghanistan from October 2001 to October 2003. This painting depicts a soldier in camouflage, Jeremiah Wallace, two Afghan men, and an armoured vehicle at Khandahar Airfield in July 2003.
Remembrance Day Facts
- Remembrance Day commemorates Canadians who died in service to Canada from the South African War to current missions. It is held every November 11.
- The first Remembrance Day was conducted in 1919 throughout the Commonwealth. Originally called Armistice Day, it commemorated the end of the First World War on Monday, November 11, 1918, at 11 a.m.: the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.
- From 1923 to 1931, Armistice Day was held on the Monday of the week in which November 11 fell. Thanksgiving was also celebrated on this day.
- In 1931, MP Allan Neill introduced a bill to hold Armistice Day on a fixed day - November 11. During the bill's introduction, it was decided the word "Remembrance" would be used instead of "Armistice." The bill passed and Remembrance Day was first conducted on November 11, 1931. Thanksgiving Day was moved to October 12 that year.
- The poppy is the symbol of Remembrance Day. Replica poppies are sold by the Royal Canadian Legion to raise money for Veterans.
Heroes and Bravery
Canadians have demonstrated great bravery time and again in Afghanistan. Here are just some examples of that valour.
- Eight Canadians serving in Afghanistan have earned the Star of Military Valour, our country’s second-highest decoration for courage. The first was Sergeant Patrick Tower in August 2006 when he braved enemy fire to lead the extraction of a platoon that had come under heavy attack.
- Flight Lieutenant Chris Hasler, a Canadian serving with Britain’s Royal Air Force, received the Distinguished Flying Cross for piloting helicopter resupply missions under fire in July 2006. He was the first Canadian to be decorated for bravery in the air in more than 50 years.
- Captain Nichola Goddard became the first female Canadian Forces member to die in combat duty when the forward artillery observer was killed in a firefight on May 17, 2006.
Part 3