An ice sculpture of a First World War Canadian “troop train” was unveiled at the annual Winterlude ice sculpture illumination ceremony in Ottawa this February.
This year’s sculpture depicts soldiers saying goodbye to their loved ones as they board a train to depart for the war.
The troop trains brought many volunteers to Valcartier, Quebec, where most men received their first military training before setting sail for Britain.
Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, said that the First World War battlefields of Europe are “where we came of age as a country, and where our ideals of peace and freedom were woven into the cultural fabric of our nation”.
Minister Glover invited people to “pause and reflect on the contributions of our Veterans in shaping the Canada of today” when viewing the sculpture.
General Tom Lawson, Chief of the Defence Staff, said that he took “great pride” in paying tribute to the men and women who served Canada during the First World War and that the modern day armed forces “draw inspiration and strength from their stoic heroism, and their selfless courage”.
Parm Gill, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veteran Affairs said that the Centenary of the First World War provides a “unique opportunity” for Canadians to reflect on their “long and proud military history and to celebrate our achievements”.
The Parliamentary Secretary encouraged Canadians “to honour and remember” the sacrifices of Veterans, both past and present.
Source: Canadian Department of Veteran Affairs press release
Date of press release publication: February 2014
Images courtesy of Canadian Heritage
Posted by: Daniel Barry, Centenary News