Saturday (May 9) marks the National Day of Honour to mark the end of Canada’s mission in Afghanistan.
While a national ceremony will be held on Parliament Hill to pay tribute to the fallen, sacrifices of the wounded and the burden borne by families, a ceremony is also planned in Canmore at the Three Sisters Branch Royal Canadian Legion.
A two-minute silence will be observed in conjunction with the Ottawa ceremony at 11:30 a.m. MST. An open house at the Legion will begin at 11 a.m. for those who wish to take part.
“Canada played a central role in Afghanistan for more than a decade,” said Prime Minister Stephen Harper in a press release.
“Project by project, kilometre by kilometre, Canadians helped give Afghanistan back to Afghans. With Canada’s help, thousands of members of the Afghan National Security Forces have been trained, hundreds of kilometres of roads have been built or repaired, dozens of schools have been restored, thousands of teachers trained, and millions of children have been vaccinated against diseases like polio. Their valour, sacrifices and remarkable accomplishments in the face of incredible odds will continue to inspire and guide us as Canada continues its development, aid and good governance work in Afghanistan.”
Canada participated in a 12-year mission in Afghanistan and more than 40,000 men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces were deployed, along with civilians. Canada lost 158 military personnel in the conflict, one diplomat and a number of civilians.
