ST.
JOHN'S, NL, May 7, 2024
/CNW/ - For 100 years, the Newfoundland National War Memorial,
which is one of only two national war memorials in Canada, has been a somber reminder of the
valiant contributions that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians made
during armed conflicts since the First World War.
On July 1, 2024, Newfoundlanders
and Labradorians will proudly gather at the National War Memorial
in St. John's to mark the
memorial's centennial anniversary. The historic event will
include the laying to rest of an unknown Newfoundland First World
War soldier whose remains are being repatriated from Northern France.
During the First World War, Newfoundland was a self-governing Dominion of
Britain. Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949 and officially changed its name
to Newfoundland and Labrador in 2001.
Approximately 12,000 Newfoundlanders served during the First
World War. Tragically, more than 1,700 lost their lives and over
800 of those who died have no known graves.
The unknown soldier and his reinterment in the tomb in
St. John's will represent the
collective contribution and sacrifice of Newfoundlanders and
Labradorians who served and died in all branches of the military
and respective support services who have no known graves.
The public are encouraged to follow and participate in the
journey of the unknown Newfoundland First World War soldier. Four
events, including a ceremony commemorating the centennial of the
Newfoundland National War Memorial on July
1, are being held in the coming months:
- May 25, 2024: Transfer of remains
ceremony, Beaumont-Hamel Newfoundland Memorial in Auchonvillers,
France
- May 25, 2024: Arrival of the
remains of the unknown Newfoundland First World War soldier in
St. John's, NL
- Upon departure from the airport, the hearse containing the
unknown soldier's casket will pass several locations with historic
significance to Newfoundland and
Labrador's First World War The
public are invited to pay their respects as the hearse makes its
way through the city, en route to a secured site.
- June 28-30, 2024: Lying-in-state
of the remains of an unknown Newfoundland First World War soldier,
Confederation Building, in St.
John's, NL
- July 1, 2024: Ceremony
commemorating the centennial of the National War Memorial and
laying to rest the remains of an unknown Newfoundland First World
War soldier in St.
John's, NL
More details on these events and how the public can participate,
including broadcasts and livestreaming, will be released as plans
are confirmed. The public is encouraged to regularly check the
website linked to below for updated information.
Quotes
"We remember the dead so that the living may know upon whose
shoulders we now stand. The Unknown Soldier being laid to rest at
the National War Memorial in St.
John's will join the statues and stone as an eternal
reminder of war's cost, its casualties, its giants, its heroes."
The Honourable Seamus O'Regan Jr.
Minister of Labour and Seniors, on behalf of The Honourable Ginette
Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate
Minister of National Defence
"Commemorating the centennial of the Newfoundland National
Memorial is a somber and important occasion for Newfoundlanders,
Labradorians, and all Canadians. Members of the Canadian Armed
Forces work every day in the shadow of those giants who made the
ultimate sacrifice. Canadians are eternally grateful for, and will
forever remember, the service of people from Atlantic Canada and across the country in the
global fight to defend freedom and democracy. The tomb of the
unknown soldier will be an enduring testament to the fact that they
shall never grow old and never be forgotten."
General Wayne D. Eyre
Chief of the Defence Staff, Canadian Armed Forces
"As the centennial anniversary of our National War Memorial
approaches, there will be several key opportunities for public
involvement. We will all have the opportunity to pay our respects
to the fallen and reflect on everything these people sacrificed for
the rights and freedoms we enjoy today. The Government of
Newfoundland and Labrador is incredibly proud of this project
and we extend gratitude to our key partners in this initiative: the
Royal Canadian Legion – NL Command, Veterans Affairs Canada, the
Canadian Armed Forces and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
for their commitment to its success."
The Honourable Steve Crocker
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation
"The Royal Canadian Legion Newfoundland and Labrador Command is
extremely proud of its role, over the past five years, in this
historic Centennial Remembrance Project and in the completion of
Lt. Col. Thomas Nangle's dream. It
would be remiss of me if I didn't publicly acknowledge the
unwavering crucial support of Premier Dr. Andrew Furey and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. I also want to sincerely thank the
Government of Canada, Veterans
Affairs Canada, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Commonwealth War
Graves Commission, and the very hard-working Centennial Project
Steering Committee. I assure our proud Veterans, their families and
loved ones, and the serving men and women of our renowned Canadian
Armed Forces that, "At the going down of the sun and in the morning
– We Will Remember Them!"
Gerald Budden
President, Royal Canadian Legion – NL Command
"As the centennial anniversary of the National War Memorial
approaches, we feel privileged to be part of these special
commemorative events. We are proud to have been able to facilitate
this exceptional step for the repatriation of an unknown
Newfoundland soldier from the
Western Front. He represents the collective contribution and
sacrifice of all those from Newfoundland and Labrador who lost their lives in conflict, for
the freedoms we all enjoy today."
Claire Horton
Director General, Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Associated links:
- For details on the events and how the public can attend, visit:
Centennial of the Newfoundland War Memorial 1924-2024
- News release, July 26, 2022:
Provincial and Federal Governments Receive Approval on National War
Memorial Centennial Project Including Repatriation of an
Unknown First World War Soldier from
Northern France
www.cwgc.org
SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada - Ottawa