Transportation and Works
Executive Council
July 2, 2015
Honouring Our Veterans
Provincial Government Recognizes Labrador Veterans
The Provincial Government, in cooperation with the Royal Canadian Legion, announced yesterday at a Memorial Day ceremony in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, that the bridge spanning the Churchill River has been named the Veterans Memorial Bridge. The name is in honour of Labradorians who served in wars and major conflicts both past and present.
"I am pleased to join with residents of Newfoundland and Labrador, and
members of the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 51, to officially name the
bridge spanning the Churchill River the Veterans Memorial Bridge. Men and
women from Labrador have served in major conflicts and wars over the years,
including the First and Second World Wars, the Polish Free Forces, the
Korean Conflict and the Boer War, and this new name is a fitting tribute to
their honour. The Veterans Memorial Bridge will help ensure the memory of
our many veterans and their sacrifices will carry on for generations to
come."
- The Honourable David Brazil, Minister of Transportation and
Works
Construction on the Veterans Memorial Bridge started in the fall of 2004 and opened to traffic with the Trans Labrador Highway extension to Cartwright in 2009.
"As the Minister of Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs, I am honoured to
join with the Labrador community in officially naming the Veterans Memorial
Bridge in honour of our local veterans. The bridge itself is a symbol of
connectedness, a source of unity and, in a very tangible sense, freedom.
These ideals formed an integral part of our veterans' call to duty. This
bridge is a fitting tribute to their commitment to our freedom and safety in
all major conflicts."
- The Honourable Keith Russell, Minister of
Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs
The Veterans Memorial Bridge was constructed at a cost of approximately $23 million. It is the longest bridge in Newfoundland and Labrador spanning 360 metres. Newfoundland and Labrador has a proud history of recognizing its veterans as evidenced by the Veterans Memorial Highway, Memorial University and the ferries Beaumont Hamel, Flanders and Gallipolli.
QUICK FACTS
- The Veterans Memorial Bridge spanning the Churchill River was officially named yesterday in honour of Labrador Veterans who have served in the World Wars and major conflicts.
- The Veterans Memorial Bridge was constructed at a cost of approximately $23 million and is the longest bridge in Newfoundland and Labrador spanning 360 metres.
- There are over 200 men and women from Labrador who currently serve in the armed forces.
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Media contacts:
| Jacquelyn Howard Director of Communications Department of Transportation and Works 709-729-3015, 689-2624 jacquelynhoward@gov.nl.ca |
Vanessa Colman-Sadd Director of Communications Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs 709-729-1495, 682-6593 vanessacolmansadd@gov.nl.ca |
2015 07 02 12:55 p.m.