A Day for Rememberance

November 12, 2012

OPERATION VETERAN MAKES TREMENDOUS PROGRESS

Founded in 2009 by Dr. Paul Kavanaugh in association with the Canadian War Museum, Operation Veteran now has schools in every province and territory participating in the program, which is aimed at both providing meals for Veterans visiting the War Museum Mess Hall (restaurant) through fund raising and raising the awareness of students of the great sacrifices made by Canadian veterans in the two world wars, as well as the Korean conflict and other theatres of war.

This morning approximately 200 students, primarily from Ontario and Quebec participated in a ceremony dedicated to Aboriginal veterans, prior to the 11:00 am ceremony at the national monument.

President Chartier spoke of the great sacrifices made by the many Métis veterans who chose to serve their country, many of whom never made it home.  President Chartier also spoke to the fact that many of the Métis veterans who did make it home were not accorded the same treatment provided to non-Aboriginal veterans, and to this day, that the Métis Nation veterans of WWII are the only veterans not yet dealt with fairly by the federal government.

On the positive side, President Chartier did mention that during the Decade of the Métis Nation, 2011-2020, that the first year, 2011, was dedicated to Métis Nation veterans, and that the WWII veterans were collectively honoured by receiving the Order of the Métis Nation, with each living veteran receiving a medal, sash and certificate.  This, President Chartier stated, was preceded by a delegation of Métis WWII and Korean War veterans to the shores of Juno Beach, where, along with the Hon Chuck Strahl, Federal Interlocutor for Métis, an exhibit was unveiled bearing testimony to the contributions made by the Métis veterans many of whom were wounded, died or were captured when landing at Juno Beach on D Day, June 6, 1944.

In the remarks by the newly elected President of The Royal Canadian Legion, Mr. Gordon Moore stated that he would give full support to the Métis veterans in pursuing the recognition that they so rightly deserve.

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