The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is Added on of the Path of Heroes Tours
Ottawa, May 25, 2000 -- The tomb of the Unknown Soldier will be featured as one of the tours of the Path of Heroes, an initiative of the Department of Canadian Heritage. Designed to enhance awareness and appreciation of the heroes who have built and continue to build our country, the Path of Heroes includes a physical path in the National Capital area delineating eight routes intended for walking tours. In addition to various printed materials, an interactive Web site is being developed to allow Canadians to take a virtual tour of the routes.The self-guided tours are designed to honour numerous Canadians and share their heroic stories. These Canadians have demonstrated their pride in citizenship and country. While approximately forty-five heroes were initially selected, different individuals and their accompanying stories are featured each year along the Path of Heroes.
Throughout the 20th century, more than 2,000,000 Canadians have served in uniform; over 114,000 have given their lives in war. Nearly 28,000 Canadian service men and women currently rest in unknown graves. The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier commemorates the nameless soldiers, sailors, airmen and merchant mariners who have fallen in battle and remain unknown to this day. On May 28, 2000, one of these Canadians will have been brought from a grave near Vimy Ridge and will be laid to rest at the National War Memorial in Ottawa. The Path will serve to remind all Canadians further of the remarkable individuals who have contributed in the preservation of our freedom.
In addition to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, several veterans will be profiled on the Path of Heroes, including Canada's four Victoria Cross recipients, Charles Ingersoll Cecil Merritt, Ernest Alvia "Smokey" Smith, Thomas George Prince and Captain O'Kill Massey Learmonth.
Information:
Catherine Gagnaire
Communications Assistant
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
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