Veterans' Week 2004

Every year, between November 5 and 11, Canadians join together to remember and pay tribute to veterans. In 2004, Veterans' Week emphasized the efforts of Canadian veterans who served in the Italian Campaign.

In the days leading up to Veterans' Week, an official Government of Canada delegation travelled to Italy to commemorate the Italian Campaign. The delegation included more than 40 veterans of the Italian Campaign, as well as students from every Canadian province and territory. While overseas, the delegation attended many ceremonies and events throughout mainland Italy and Sicily, including:

• ceremonies at Ortona, Cassino, Rimini, Ispica, Pachino and Agira; and
• a plaque dedication in honour of Sergeant Ernest "Smoky" Smith, VC, CM, CD, who was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the presence of the enemy at the Savio River in Italy during the Second World War.

In October, the Royal Canadian Mint, together with the Royal Canadian Legion, unveiled a 25-cent coin to honour Canadians who have died defending freedom and justice. The "poppy coin" features a red poppy embedded in a maple leaf. It is the first multi-coloured coin in the world to go into circulation. Canada Post also released two new stamps to honour Canadians who have received our country's highest military honour, the Victoria Cross.

During Veterans' Week 2004, thousands of Canadians attended ceremonies and events across Canada in honour of all veterans. Many of these events, plus special features on remembrance, were covered by the media in Canada's newspapers, and on radio and television.

To learn more about the Italian Campaign and some of the special events that took place in Canada and overseas up to, and during, Veterans' Week, please visit our Web site at www.vac-acc.gc.ca