"Today we remember the valiant Canadian men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country. At a time when we're reminded daily of just how dangerous a place the world can still be, we honour and remember those who served and those who gave their lives in two World Wars, in Korea, our peacekeepers, who have done our country so proud, and those who serve today in Afghanistan and around the world."The collective duty, courage and sacrifice of these generations of Canadians, past and present, have allowed us to have the free and open society that we do. It is often said that they went to war and, as a consequence, war has never come to us.
"We owe our veterans our deepest gratitude for what they have done for us, not just then, but for the burdens they and their families have often carried for a lifetime and beyond as a consequence of their service and their sacrifice.
"We owe it to them to use every possible effort to keep and to make a stronger society which is not only free and open but compassionate, accepting and understanding, so that in the future, when our children and grandchildren stand on Remembrance Day, they will not only be remembering and paying tribute to those who served and those who perished, but they will be marking events long since past. That is because we would pray they themselves will only have ever known peace, liberty and understanding."
