Mr. Speaker, 63 years ago today, the guns in Europe fell silent after six agonizing years of conflict.
Today we pause to remember those who fought and the 45,300 Canadians who died on land, at sea and in the air as the allies triumphed over evil and set Europe free from Nazi tyranny.
We owe a debt that can never be fully repaid to those who served and those who never came home. These few words are my humble attempt to thank them.
I thank those of Churchill's Few. I thank those who braved the Atlantic and enemy submarines to keep Europe supplied. I thank those who fell at Dieppe and who stormed the shore at Normandy. I thank those who fought their way up the Italian boot and across North Africa. I also thank those who, night after night, flew into the valley of the shadow of death as members of Bomber Command. Fifteen Canadian squadrons were part of that incredible effort and 10,000 aircrew made the ultimate sacrifice.
Some of those who survived join us today as we remember Victory in Europe Day. We are privileged and proud to be in their presence.
Lest we forget.