Premier Williams to lay wreath at Beaumont Hamel  

Premier Williams will lay a wreath and give remarks on behalf of the province tomorrow (July 1) at the Government of Canada Ceremony of Remembrance at the Newfoundland Memorial at Beaumont Hamel commemorating the 90^th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme.  The Premier will join HRH The Princess Royal who is Honourary Colonel-in-Chief of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment; Lieutenant Governor of Newfoundland and Labrador and Honourary Colonel of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Edward Roberts; Newfoundland and Labrador �s federal Minister Loyola Hearn; Veteran Affairs Minister Greg Thompson; and Canadian Forces Chief of Defence Staff General Rick Hillier at the event. The ceremony will also include dignitaries from France, Great Britain, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.

 
�It will be an honour and a privilege to stand shoulder to shoulder with many nations and pay tribute to the courageous actions of the members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the other brave soldiers that fought that day,� said Premier Williams.  �Tomorrow�s ceremony marks such a momentous event in Newfoundland and Labrador history and I know it will be highly emotional for everyone involved.�   

The Premier said tomorrow�s event will also include the entire complement of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, as well members of the Royal Canadian Legion and students from Newfoundland and Labrador. �The Newfoundland and Labrador presence in France for commemoration ceremonies throughout the week has been strong.  Such a large contingent from our province is a clear indication of the significance we place on the historic events that occurred at Beaumont Hamel 90 years ago,� said Premier Williams.  �It is a moment in time we must always remember.�  

The Premier traveled to France on June 27 and has taken part in a number of ceremonies honouring the 90^th anniversary, including a service at the Monchy Le Preux Newfoundland Memorial and a visit to the Kortrijk Newfoundland Memorial in Belgium where he laid a wreath at a ceremony along side the Royal Newfoundland Regiment at Menin Gate. The July 1 Government of Canada Ceremony of Remembrance will be the final ceremony before the Premier returns to the province.  �I would like to thank Veteran Affairs Canada for organizing, and thank the Government of France for hosting, such a tremendous mission,� said Premier Danny Williams.  

The Premier said although July 1 is synonymous with Canada Day, he encouraged all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to remember the members of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment who fought and died at Beaumont Hamel on July 1, 1916.  �As we celebrate our great country on Canada Day, we must keep in mind the brave efforts of these men who helped to bring peace to the world and ensure the freedom we cherish today.� 

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Communications, (709) 729-6985, 351-1227 elizabethmatthews@gov.nl.ca  

2006 06 30                                                        12:55 p.m.