The public is invited to gather at Esquimalt Memorial Park for the 34th annual Peacekeepers Memorial Parade, an evening of remembrance honouring Canadians who served and sacrificed in peace support operations around the world.
The ceremony will unite veterans; members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and Royal Canadian Navy (RCN); first responders; dignitaries; and members of the public to reflect on the contributions of those who served in international peace support missions.
Organized by the BC Veterans Remembrance Association with the assistance of Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt, the annual event commemorates the more than 125,000 CAF members who have participated in international peacekeeping missions since 1948, including approximately 125 who never returned home. Members of the Defence Team will join federal, provincial, and municipal representatives, veterans’ organizations, and families of the fallen for the ceremony. Following the reading of the names of those who died, attendees will observe a moment of silence before dignitaries place poppies into a wreath at the cenotaph.
The Peacekeepers Memorial Parade is held each year on Aug 9, which is Canada’s National Peacekeepers’ Day and marks the anniversary of the 1974 loss of nine CAF members when their United Nations (UN) Buffalo aircraft was shot down over Syria. While peacekeeping missions often take place far from home, their legacy and that of those who served belongs to all Canadians. Members of the community are encouraged to attend and take part in this year’s ceremony to help ensure that the sacrifices of Canada’s peacekeepers continue to be recognized, remembered, and valued for generations to come.