Statement by the Prime Minister

"On November 11, Canadians will take time out to stand in silent tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their youth, their blood, and their very lives, in defence of freedom, liberty and peace.

At the turn of the last century, it would have been beyond our collective imagination to think that Canadians would, time and again, be called upon to leave their homes and families - all that they treasure - to fight the forces of tyranny and occupation. Their heroic efforts in two World Wars, in the Korean and Gulf wars, and today as peacekeepers around the world, are gallant sign posts in our development as a nation.

This has been a century of Canadian valour. A century of willing sacrifice by those many thousands who fought and died on foreign fields; those on the home front who worked the factories and farms, and took care of children; and, by those who came home to build a Canada that would become the envy of the world.

On this, the final Remembrance Day of the 20th century, the Royal Canadian Legion is inviting Canadians from coast to coast to participate in a special tribute to Canada's war heroes. They are calling for a 2-Minute Wave of Silence. Starting in Newfoundland, as the clock strikes 11 a.m. local time on November 11, a wave of silence will begin to roll across the nation's six time zones, as people stop to remember.

I heartily encourage all Canadians to join the wave and make this Remembrance Day a living tribute - for all to see - to the memory of those who gave their lives so that we could remain free."

PMO Press Office: (613) 957-5555