I call this meeting to order.
Welcome to meeting number 24 of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs.
Today's meeting is taking place in a hybrid format, as is now the norm. Pursuant to Standing Order 108(2) and the motion adopted by the committee on October 27, 2020, the committee is resuming its study on a strategy for commemorations in the 21st century.
I'd like to welcome all the witnesses who have taken the time to join us today. I will introduce all of you, and then each of you will have five minutes for opening remarks. I will indicate to you when you have one minute left, but don't panic. You'll have lots of time to to wrap up your remarks. That will be the case throughout the meeting. I apologize in advance for having to interrupt anyone. That is part of the job as chair: to be the official interrupter.
I will introduce everyone.
From the Canadian Naval Memorial Trust, we're joined by Mr. Wendall Brown, past chair, retired commander, and William Woodburn, retired captain, chair of the organization.
Thanks to both of you for being here.
We also have with us, from the Department of National Defence, Dr. Steve Harris, acting director, chief historian, directorate of history and heritage; from the National Association of Federal Retirees, Jean-Guy Soulière, president, and Sayward Montague, director, advocacy; from Operation Husky 2023, Steve Gregory; and, from the Rwanda Veterans Association of Canada, Kevin Sammy Sampson, vice-president.
Thanks to all of you for being here and helping us with this study on commemoration.
I will start us off with Mr. Woodburn.
The next five minutes are all yours, sir.