TORONTO — Steven Blaney, Minister of Veterans Affairs, announced up to $28,715 in federal government support for a project in North York, to honour veterans and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Blaney was joined by Mark Adler, MP for York Centre. This funding, provided through the Community War Memorial program, will go to support the construction of the new Jewish War Veterans of Canada Memorial.
“It is our sacred duty to remember and honour the brave men and women who served Canada so selflessly. Our veterans have fought for our freedom and these memorials are symbols of their accomplishments,” said Blaney at an unveiling ceremony in North York on Monday. “It is gratifying to know that younger generations have a special place like the Jewish War Veterans of Canada Memorial to reflect on our country's proud military history.”
“The Jewish War Veterans of Canada Memorial reflects the appreciation held by the community for our local heroes,” said Adler. Supporting the construction of new memorials is one way our government is working to ensure the sacrifices of our veterans will not be forgotten. I am reminded of what Winston Churchill said after the Battle of Britain: “Never has so much been owed by so many to so few. Because of their brave and courageous efforts, I stand here with you today as the son of a holocaust survivor to celebrate funding for the Jewish War Veterans of Canada Memorial.”
“United Jewish Appeal Federation of Canada (UJA) in partnership with the Jewish War Veterans Association is very grateful for being approved for funding to assist in the construction of the Jewish War Veterans of Canada Memorial,” said Amek Adler, vice chair of the Jewish War Veterans Association. “We are grateful for the Minister of Veterans Affairs and for MP Mark Adler for joining us at this event. The Memorial will be used as a teaching tool for future generations of Canadians.”
The War Memorial located on the Sherman Campus of the UJA is a project of the Jewish War Veterans of Canada-Toronto Post. The black polished granite memorial, surrounded by a twenty-foot diameter pad of interlocking brick, commemorates and honours the Jewish people who perished and those who served in the Canadian Forces during the First and Second World Wars, the Korean War, all peacekeeping missions and Afghanistan. Through the Community War Memorial Program, our government is fulfilling its commitment to further commemorate the courage and sacrifices of our veterans and members of our armed forces by bringing individuals, groups and businesses together to build new cenotaphs and monuments.
Applications to the Community War Memorial Program can be submitted at any time during the year and are reviewed on a quarterly basis. Interested non-profit groups and other organizations may be eligible for funding to build new memorials or to make major additions to existing ones.
Veterans' Week is a time when all Canadians come together to honour those who have sacrificed to make our world a safer place. This Veterans' Week, make remembrance more than something you feel, make it something you do. How will you remember? For information on Veterans' Week, services and benefits and VAC social media communities visit veterans.gc.ca.