QUÉBEC CITY, March 15, 2013 /CNW/ - The Honourable Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister for La Francophonie, took part in a re-enactment of a portion of the historic march of the 104th (New Brunswick) Regiment of Foot this morning, in Québec City. Accompanied by members of the Régiment de la Chaudière and Voltigeurs de Québec, the Minister walked from Lévis to the Plains of Abraham, following the historic route taken by the soldiers in the winter of 1813.
"The march of the 104th Regiment is a landmark event in the War of 1812. Those resilient men advanced in step, completing one of the longest marches ever in military history," said Minister Blaney. "They braved the bitter cold of the Canadian winter to join their brothers in arms in Ontario and help to defend Canada. It was a valiant and courageous feat accomplished at a defining moment of our history."
In the winter of 1813, nearly 600 men of the 104th Regiment marched from Fredericton, New Brunswick, to Kingston, Ontario, to join the troops already there to defend Upper and Lower Canada. They were Scots, Englishmen, French Canadians, Blacks and Acadians and marched together for 52 days, covering more than 1,100 km in temperatures that often plunged below 30 degrees Celsius.
The Saint-John River Society of New Brunswick is spearheading the event for which the Quebec portion is organized by the Musée des Voltigeurs de Québec in cooperation with Canadian Armed Forces units located in Quebec. The 104th Regiment banner will be carried from Québec City to the Ontario border, where it will be handed off to the St. Lawrence Alliance for the remainder of the journey to Kingston.
The War of 1812 was a founding event which saw Francophones from Lower Canada, Anglophones from Upper Canada and First Nations come unite for the first time under the same banner. The proportion of Francophone troops varied, but they represented up to 50% of the forces engaged. As well, at least 100 of the 400 members of the 104th Regiment were French-Canadians, including many Quebeckers.
2013 is the Year of the Korean War Veteran—Canada proudly remembers the heroes of the Korean War and their brave fight to uphold freedom, democracy and the rule of law. Discover the stories of today's Canadian Veterans in the "Heroes Remember" section at veterans.gc.ca.
Image with caption: "Minister Blaney and members of the Régiment de la Chaudière during the commemorative march honouring the 104th (New Brunswick) Regiment of Foot. (CNW Group/Veterans Affairs Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20130315_C5387_PHOTO_EN_24592.jpg
SOURCE: Veterans Affairs Canada
Media inquiries:
Janice Summerby
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