Dateline: 11/10/04
A Tribute to Canadian War Veterans
The Canadian government will celebrate 2005 as the Year of the Veteran to pay special tribute to Canadian veterans of wars of the last century.
To thank Canadian veterans and repay them with active remembrance, the federal government plans high profile ceremonies throughout 2005 both in Canada and overseas to commemorate their achievements and to mark the 60th anniversary of the end of the Second World War.
Events Planned for the Year of the Veteran
Events being planned for the Year of the Veteran include
Statistics on Canadian Veterans
Approximately 650,000 Canadians served in World War I and nearly 69,000 died. Only a handful of Canadian veterans from World War I are alive in 2004.
In World War II, a million Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in the Canadian Armed Forces, in Allied forces or in the merchant navy. More than 47,000 gave their lives. Veterans Affairs Canada estimates that there are about 250,000 Canadian veterans from World War II, 30,000 of whom are women. Most are in their early eighties.
More than 26,000 Canadians served in the Canadian Army Special Force in the Korean War. Over 500 gave their lives. In 2004, there are an estimated 15,000 Canadian veterans from the Korean war, most of whom are in their early seventies.
About 125,000 Canadians have served in peacekeeping missions since 1947. More than 100 died.
