NDP Leader Howard Hampton made the following statement today to mark Remembrance Day.

“November 11th is Remembrance Day. It’s a day when Canadians pay tribute to the sacrifices of brave women and men of the armed forces and civilians in times of war.

“On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, we remember those who answered the call to duty and fought so we could live in peace and who died so we could be free – during the Boer War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War and peacekeeping missions where Canadians served and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

“Remembrance Day is a day to pay tribute to the armed forces personnel serving Canada today – a new generation of sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, friends and neighbours who have put themselves in harm’s way at the call of their country. We pray for comfort for families who have lost their loved ones, for true and lasting peace in the countries where our soldiers are serving, and for our soldiers’ safe and speedy return home to their loved ones.

“Remembrance Day is also a day for all Canadians to reflect on our own duties. It’s a day to commit ourselves to doing everything we can to carry the torch of the soldiers from the very first Remembrance Day who vowed ‘Never Again.’ And it’s a day for all of us to stand for fairness and dignity for veterans when they come home and their uniforms are off.

“On behalf of New Democrats, I want to invite all Ontarians to go to Remembrance Day ceremonies in their local communities, pay tribute to great Canadians, and to reflect on this day and its lessons with even more commitment this year than ever.”