Veterans’ Week 2014 –
Generic Speech - (5 min)
Ø Acknowledge the host/organizers, honoured veterans, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.
Ø Introduce yourself by rank, name, unit, and military occupation.
Ø Speak slowly and clearly, varying the pitch and tone of your voice.
Ø Include pauses; they allow the audience time to catch up before you move on to another segment of the speech
Protocol
Good morning/afternoon/evening, everyone. I am [name, full name] and I am a [military occupation] with the Canadian Armed Forces, stationed at [name of wing, garrison, or base]. Thank you for inviting me [to your Remembrance Day ceremony today], [to speak to you about Canada’s veterans, Veterans’ Week and the importance of remembrance], or [to participate in your Veterans’ Week celebrations today].
As a member of the Canadian Armed Forces [you can also add a few concise paragraphs on why you are in the Canadian Armed Forces, your deployment experience and a few highlights of your career].
Introduction
It is important to remember the sacrifices made by the men and women of our nation’s military over the years. Sacrifices made in many conflicts around the world - most recently, in Afghanistan.
These were sacrifices - hardship, suffering, loss of life - made to keep our country strong and free. Sacrifices that let you live your life in relative comfort and peace, here in [name of location]. Sacrifices that permit you to choose how you want to live your life.
Perhaps I can sum up the importance of remembering those sacrifices in just three words:
“Lest We Forget”.
Lest We Forget – First World War Origins
“Lest We Forget” was a warning not to forget the sacrifices made during the First World War - a war unlike any ever seen before that time. Of the more than half a million Canadians who served in Canada’s military, one in every ten were killed, while more than one in four were wounded. [ Look around you and try to imagine what that must have been like, with at least two wounded and one dead amongst each group of ten people here today.]
“Lest We Forget” now serves as a reminder of that war and all of the struggles and conflicts since. It is a warning for us to keep a careful watch over our hard-won freedoms. A warning to be prepared to defend our freedoms…to avoid suffering the same deadly consequences yet again.
This is why Canada is marking the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the First World War this year. Because, even though no veterans of that war remain alive, we must never forget the terrible price they paid for the freedoms we enjoy today.
Generations of veterans, through their courage, determination and sacrifice, have helped to ensure that you and I continue to live in a free and peaceful country. But hundreds of thousands of Canadians have had to take a stand to protect our freedom and tens of thousands have died protecting it for us.
Second World War and Beyond
More than one million Canadians took that stand in the Second World War. The few who are still alive today carry the memories of the deadliest military conflict in human history. A conflict which engulfed the entire world and claimed the lives of 60 million people - almost twice the population of Canada! A conflict that could have easily been lost to regimes that stripped away people’s freedoms. We owe those brave souls our gratitude for the country we live in today.
Lest We Forget.
And we owe a debt of gratitude to the thousands of men and women in uniform who followed since the end of the Second World War. Those who served under the threat of nuclear war throughout the Cold War and those who responded time after time to help stabilize international crises, often in support of the United Nations. Whether in combat during the Korean War, where hundreds of Canadians were killed in fierce fighting, or placed in harms way in more than 30 dangerous peacekeeping missions around the world, members of Canada’s military helped ensure that those here at home could go to school, work and play in peace.
Lest We Forget.
Afghanistan
We must also not forget the sacrifices of the 40 thousand Canadian men and women who left the safety of Canada to help bring hope, democracy and the rule of law to Afghanistan - a country that threatened world stability and the way of life we hold so dear.
With the end of the Afghan mission and the declaration of a National Day of Honour earlier this year, Canada acknowledged the sacrifices made by those who fought in Afghanistan and the price paid by their families. 158 Canadians lost their lives during the 12-year long conflict, while more than 2,000 other veterans returned home wounded.
Lest We Forget.
Remembrance and the Modern-day Veterans
Every day, while you rest, work or play, Canada’s sailors, soldiers, airmen and airwomen continue to watch over the security interests of Canada, both here at home and around the world. Canadians in uniform keep watch over our skies and ocean approaches - ready to respond immediately to potential threats that can affect our security and safety. Around the world, working in coalitions and alliances, Canada’s military is contributing to the response to the crisis in Ukraine, the conflicts in the Middle East, the tensions in the Pacific, and the ongoing war on terrorism.
Canada is rated as one of the best countries in the world to live in. Canadians enjoy more freedoms than most, anywhere on earth. We owe it to veterans never to forget their sacrifices made this possible.
Most veterans and their families simply want to know that their sacrifices were not in vain. They want to know that people appreciate that our freedoms have been hard fought for and understand they should be jealously guarded. You can find websites [Veterans Affairs / Legions] to show how you can help honour the sacrifices of veterans and their families. Or you can simply take a moment to think about what kind of life you would have today if you did not enjoy your personal freedoms….and whisper “Thank You” the next time you see a veteran.
But do take the time to pause and reflect.
Do take the time to remember.
It is important.
Why?
I could sum it up in just three words …
“Lest We Forget”.
Thank you.
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