Minister Sheila Copps announces funding for the Valiants Monument
OTTAWA, August 13, 2003 -- Minister of Canadian Heritage Sheila Copps today announced that the Government of Canada will provide funding to the Valiants Monument project.The proposed monument will consist of interpretive panels featuring 14 valiant figures who have made a significant contribution to Canada's military history. These heroes played an important role in the French Regime, the American Revolution, the War of 1812, the First World War and the Second World War.
The monument will be located on the southeast side of Confederation Square, in Ottawa. The unveiling date is scheduled for August 2005.
"The Valiants Monument will illustrate Canada's military history by featuring the contributions of several of our great war heroes," said Minister Copps. "Commemoration of the Valiants will remind us always of the achievements of those who defended freedom, both on the battlefield and in our peacekeeping efforts, and who have inspired us to build today's Canada."
"This Valiants Monument will remind us of how much we owe to the extraordinary men and women who have defended Canada for the past four centuries," said Hamilton Southam of the Valiants Foundation.
"We are pleased that the Government of Canada has demonstrated its commitment to the commemoration of our veterans by supporting the establishment of, first, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and, now, the Valiants Monument," said Allan Parks, Dominion President of the Royal Canadian Legion.
The budget for the Valiants Monument project is estimated at $1 million. The Department of Canadian Heritage will provide 75 percent of the cost and the Valiants Foundation will cover the remaining 25 percent.
The National Capital Commission will guide the project to fruition. A steering committee, including members of the Valiants Foundation and representatives of the Government of Canada, will be put in place to act as an advisory body.
This fall, the National Capital Commission will launch a competition to select an artist to design and create the Monument.
Further details on the project will be announced by the Government of Canada as they become available.
Information:
Sonya-Kim St-Julien
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-7788
Annex A
The Fourteen Valiants
French Régime
Comte de Frontenac The greatest governor general of Canada during the French régime, Frontenac successfully defended Québec from Sir William Phips in 1690. When asked to surrender he answered: "I have no reply³other than from the mouths of my cannon".
Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville Born in Canada, he fought in Frontenac's wars against the English colonists to the south, and commanding his ship Pelican, sank two English warships in Hudson Bay in 1697.
American Revolution
Joseph Brant or Thayendanegea Mohawk chief and United Empire Loyalist, he fought on the English side during the American Revolution, and afterwards brought his people north into the area of Brantford in what became Upper Canada.
John Butler During the American Revolution he raised a famous corps of United Empire Loyalists, Butler's Rangers, which operated from Fort Niagara in Upper Canada, where he finally settled.
War of 1812
Sir Isaac Brock Administrator of Upper Canada, he captured Detroit in 1812, and died winning the battle of Queenston Heights against American invaders later that year. His skill and energy are credited with saving Upper Canada.
Charles-Michel de Salaberry He raised Les Voltigeurs canadiens in 1810 and commanded them and other troops in the battle of Chateauguay in 1813, repelling another American invasion and thereby saving Lower Canada.
Women and War
Laura Secord Canada's first intelligence agent, in 1813 she warned of an impending American attack at Beaver Dams, leading to the capture of nearly 500 enemy troops and favourably altering the course of the War of 1812 in that area.
Georgina Pope One of our first army nurses, she served abroad in the Boer War, was awarded the Royal Red Cross for conspicuous service in the field, became the first matron of the Canadian Army Medical Corps in 1908, and went overseas again in WWI.
WWI
General Sir Arthur Currie Commanding 1st Canadian Corps he had success at Passchendaele in 1917, Amiens in 1918 and organized the victorious mobile warfare of the Last Hundred Days. His generalship has never been equalled in the story of Canadian arms.
Corporal Joseph Kaeble VC, MM Joining the Royal 22nd Regiment in 1916 he quickly got his Military Medal (MM.) Near Arras in 1918 he single-handedly repelled a strong German attack with his Lewis gun. Dying, he cried: "Keep it up, boys³stop them!". He won the Victoria Cross (VC).
WWII
Lieutenant Hampton Gray VC, DSC Joining up in 1940 he served with the Royal Navy's Fleet Air Arm. Flying in the Pacific in 1945 he won the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) for sinking a Japanese destroyer in July and the Victoria Cross (VC) for sinking another one next month at the cost of his life.
Captain John Wallace Thomas CBE This distinguished merchant seaman commanded the Canadian Pacific ship Empress of Scotland throughout WWII. He won the Order of the British Empire (Commander) (CBE) for his skillful handling of that vessel during a Luftwaffe attack off Ireland in 1940.
Major Paul Triquet VC A Royal 22nd Regiment officer, he won the Victoria Cross (VC) at Ortona in 1943 by capturing and holding Casa Berardi, a point of vital tactical importance.
Warrant Officer Andrew Mynarski VC Mid-upper gunner of a Lancaster bomber which was attacked by an enemy night fighter and caught fire over France in 1944, he lost his life and won the Victoria Cross (VC) while trying to save the rear gunner.
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