Government of France Officials pay their respects

On the occasion of his first official visit to Canada, His Excellency Jean-Pierre Raffarin, Prime Minister of the French Republic, accompanied by Mrs. Anne-Marie Raffarin, laid a wreath at the Tomb of The Unknown Soldier at the National War Memorial, on Thursday, May 22, 2003. By paying tribute to the sacrifice and service of Canadians, France's Prime Minister acknowledged a rich, common military history between the two countries. The ceremony was the first of many activities in which the Prime Minister participated before continuing his Canadian tour to undertake discussions with Canadian and French business leaders in Ottawa, Montréal and Québec City.

French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin and party pay respects to Veterans during Lament at Wreath Laying Ceremony, National War Memorial, Ottawa	Prime Minister Raffarin lays Wreath
Prime Minister Raffarin signs Visitor's Book

On May 26, 2003, despite menacing clouds and intermittent showers, Jean Phillipe Douin, Général d'Armée Aérienne, Grand Chancelier de la Légion d'honneur et Chancelier de l'Ordre National du Mérite paid tribute to the fallen at the National War Memorial's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The General, accompanied by officials from the Embassy of France in Ottawa, laid a wreath in tribute to the sacrifice and contributions made by Canadians during wartime and during peacekeeping missions around the globe. While in Ottawa, Général Douin presented the Légion of Honour to several Canadian citizens in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the Government of France.

Général Douin lays wreath	Général Douin signs Visitor's Book
Général Douin and party pay respects during Wreath Laying Ceremony, National War Memorial, Ottawa