Mr. Speaker, it is a great pleasure to stand here today and support my colleague, the member for Tobique—Mactaquac, on this very important private member's motion. I think there is even an extra importance to the motion today. It gives it additional relevance when we look at the fact that the year 2005 is the year of the veteran.
For the decades after the wars we were very fortunate to have first-hand accounts from veterans who returned and were able to give us their stories about the rigours of war, the sense of loss and the acts of bravery and courage, those things the people back home could barely understand. We are very fortunate that we have been able to at least begin to understand the heroism that was exhibited by our soldiers, by the men and women who served this country. We were at least able to begin to understand what they went through. They had to deal with the gruelling situations they found themselves in and with the loss of comrades and the loss of life.
I think that only those who have experienced it can really come to terms with the tragedy of war, but as a people we are fortunate that those veterans made a point of coming back and sharing with us at least the stories of courage and bravery. Many young lives were lost. Many lives were not lived and many pages were not turned. That is indeed sad.
As we go into the legion halls, meet with veterans groups, attend Remembrance Day ceremonies and go to the various services, it becomes more obvious that each year our veterans are fewer in number. There are fewer of those people who can stand and give testament to the horrors and tragedy of war and that is sad.
Certainly as a people and as a country, I know that we, along with the world, were really given a true dose of reality on September 11, 2001. The unprecedented attack on the World Trade Center really awakened us as a country and as a free people to the fact that we live in a global world and that we are certainly not insulated. We are not immune to the horrors of evil deeds and the horrors of terrorism.
At that time as well, I think, it awakened a great sense of reality that we have been very fortunate as a nation and as a free people to have had young men and women who have answered the call of a nation to fight for democracy and freedom during the second world war and since then. I think the events of September 11 really shook us and made us more aware of the fact that the price that was paid back then was dear and it was real. Since September 11, the numbers are greater at local Remembrance Day ceremonies. I know that last year approximately 15,000 people turned out to the Remembrance Day service here in the nation's capital.
That speaks to the fact that not just the baby boomers, but the families, friends, all Canadians are more respectful, more in tune and more aware now that it is important to keep the alive the memory of those who served and those who died. We are fortunate that communities are still in tune with that.
When it comes down to it, the importance of the motion and the gist of it, it is all about some of our utmost precious national icons, our cenotaphs, our monuments commemorating the sacrifice of the men and women who went to war, the men and who never came home, the men and women whose families still mourn.
Over the years, communities big and small have taken it upon themselves to ensure that these memories are not forgotten. Local legions, army, navy and air force veterans have taken on the responsibility of ensuring that these people are remembered. Provincial and municipal governments and community organization sometimes, but volunteers for the most part have driven the projects to erect cenotaphs and memorials for our fallen soldiers and loved ones. Their sheer hard work, sweat, equity and investment in fundraising events to put moneys together have ensured that these cenotaphs and monuments are established.
I know in my own constituency, the local legion in Louisburg, branch 62, back in the spring of 2002 embarked on a project to build a cenotaph and develop a park area around it, a very solemn and quiet space where one could go and reflect. I recall the group asking for financial support from the federal government. That was the first type of request of that nature which I was able to pursue. I was totally shocked that there was no avenue for the federal government to assist this group. The group took it upon themselves to raise money, with a number of different fundraisers and donations from the community. They were very generous. However, I was amazed that there was no vehicle or tool for us to get involved in a project like that.
I guess that addresses the fact that this motion should be enable the federal government to work with these community groups to develop and ensure that these monuments and cenotaphs are preserved.
Whatever government action there might be, it comes down to ways and means. What is the best use of federal dollars when we look at trying to ensure that we honour and celebrate the memories of those lost, the fallen soldiers? Is it through education programs through the schools? Is it through written materials, printed materials?
Cenotaphs and monuments are key in this. People can go to see the names, the numbers and the ages of those young people who answered the call to go and defend freedom and democracy.
The other key aspect of this is, in no way does the motion identify that the federal government wants to take over total responsibility.This is an opportunity for the federal government to step in and assist community groups, legions, army, navy, air force veterans groups and community organizations to ensure that the memories of these very important people, who contributed to the great country we have in Canada today, are respected.
I can assure members that I will be supporting the motion when it comes forward for a vote, and I would like to congratulate my colleague for bringing it forward.