Year of the Veteran

I rise today to honour our veterans for one last time during this commemorative Year of the Veteran and 60^th anniversary of the end of World War II. This year has provided a wonderful opportunity for Canadians to remember the tremendous contributions of our veterans� achievements and sacrifices.

Newfoundland and Labrador has a proud history of honouring our veterans and this year we upheld that tradition. On May 5, we marked the 60^th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day with a tree-planting ceremony here on the grounds of Confederation Building. A handsome red maple now stands as a reminder to all who walk the grounds of the Confederation complex of the women and men who sacrificed so much to protect our democratic rights.

Year of the Veteran banners have been displayed here in the foyer of Confederation Building East Block all year. Commemorative portraits of veterans have also been on display, and we have taken part in the annual Fly the Flag of Remembrance ceremony at Confederation Building.

In July of this year, I accompanied a group of students and veterans from Newfoundland and Labrador to Beaumont Hamel to commemorate the 89th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme. It was an absolute privilege to bring greetings on behalf of the province and commemorate the contributions of our veterans, especially the members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, who fought and died at Beaumont Hamel during the opening day of the Battle of the Somme July 1, 1916.

To actually see the trenches, read the inscriptions on the memorials, touch the danger tree and feel the soil beneath your feet is remarkably overwhelming. It is something I hope every Newfoundlander and Labradorian has the opportunity to experience in their lifetime.

As many of you know, my father, Jack Marshall, was a veteran of the Second World War. He stormed the beaches at Normandy on D-Day and later in his life, as a Member of the Canadian Parliament and a senator, he was an outspoken advocate for the rights of all veterans.

So, veterans� affairs have a special place in my life, and I am pleased we have taken many opportunities to remember and honour our veterans during this commemorative year.

The Year of the Veteran may be coming to a close, but I want to encourage all members of this House of Assembly and all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to take every opportunity to continue to pay tribute to the men and women who fought to preserve democracy and restore peace to the world. Honour them and cherish them: they are so important to us all.

As the plaque beneath our maple tree says: May their sacrifices ever be remembered.

2005 12 07                         2:30 p.m.