Municipal Affairs
June 30, 2008

Province to Commemorate Fallen Soldiers at Beaumont-Hamel

This Memorial Day, the Honourable Dave Denine, Minister of Municipal Affairs, will be in Europe to represent the province at five ceremonies commemorating those Newfoundland and Labrador soldiers who sacrificed their lives during World War I.

"I am honoured to be representing not only the province, but particularly the families of the heroic young men who gave their lives in the name of freedom," said Minister Denine. "There is no greater sacrifice than to sacrifice your life for others and I am proud to participate in these extremely moving and patriotic events."

Today, the minister will participate in two memorial ceremonies − Monchy-Le-Preux and Gueudecourt.

On July 1, 2008, Minister Denine will lay wreaths at the Canadian Memorial at Vimy Ridge and at the Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial. Of the five memorials established in France and Belgium in memory of major actions fought by the 1st Battalion of the Newfoundland Regiment, the largest is the 30-hectare site of Beaumont-Hamel, France. This site commemorates all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who fought in the Great War, particularly those with no known grave.

On July 2, he will wrap up his visit with a ceremony at the Courtai Memorial in Belgium.

In support of the 2008 pilgrimage to Beaumont-Hamel, the Provincial Government contributed $50,000 to help finance the 11-person delegation. Included are veteran representatives from branches across the province, students chosen through an essay, poem and poster competition, a registered nurse, an interpreter, a student chaperone and a representative from the Royal Canadian Legion, Newfoundland and Labrador Command.

"In addition to honouring the memory of our fallen soldiers, these ceremonies also allow us to recognize and pay tribute to the contributions of our veterans," said Minister Denine. "These individuals fought for our freedom and I am very pleased to be sharing this significant experience with many of them."

- 30 -

Media contact:
Jennifer Collingwood
Director of Communications
Department of Municipal Affairs
709-729-1983, 709-690-2498
JenniferCollingwood@gov.nl.ca

2008 06 30                                                  9:50 a.m.

 


SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement