OTTAWA, Aug. 18, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, and the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, Minister of National Defence, honour the bravery and sacrifice shown by Canadian soldiers on the beaches of Dieppe, France, 75 years ago.
"In the Dieppe Raid, and throughout the Second World War, our service members fought to defend the values of freedom and democracy, both in Canada and around the world."
"On August 19, 1942, an Allied force composed of almost 5,000 Canadians, along with more than 1,000 British commandos and 50 American Army Rangers, bravely stormed ashore at five different points along a 16-kilometre stretch of heavily defended coastline in northwestern France during Operation Jubilee. The Dieppe Raid would ultimately be our nation's bloodiest day of the Second World War. By the end of the raid there were more than 3,350 Canadian casualties. Sadly, 916 Canadians made the ultimate sacrifice."
"In their first significant action in Europe during the Second World War, the Canadian soldiers were supported by Allied air and naval units, including Canadian airmen and sailors, as they launched the amphibious assault. Despite fierce enemy resistance and complications in the execution of Operation Jubilee, they fought courageously."
"As we celebrate Canada 150, we remember and honour the fortitude and courage of the Canadians who served in the Second World War, both at home and overseas, whose valour helped pave the way for the peace and prosperity we enjoy today. It is their legacy to us and we will remember them."
"Lest we forget."
For more information on the Dieppe Raid please visit veterans.gc.ca/Dieppe75
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SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada
Media Relations, Veterans Affairs Canada, 613-992-7468, [email protected]; Sarah McMaster, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs, 613-996-4649
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