The Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence was in town this weekend for events to commemorate the unknown Newfoundland First World War soldier.
Ginette Petitpas Taylor says the events leading up to the Memorial Day ceremony in Downtown St. John’s have been a long time coming.
On Saturday, the minister attended a guided tour of the Beaumont-Hamel and the Trail of the Caribou exhibits at The Rooms. She also visited the National War Memorial in downtown St. John’s, the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Museum, and the Crows Nest. On Sunday, she attended a private viewing of the unknown soldier lying in state at the Confederation Building.
She says the repatriation of the unknown soldier has been a very emotional process for many.
It makes her very proud to see Canadians wanting to come out to appropriately commemorate our country’s fallen.
While at the National War Memorial, Petitpas Taylor says she saw the pride that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have when it comes to bringing their son home.
The unknown Newfoundland First World War soldier will be laid to rest at the base of the Newfoundland National War Memorial.
Today, I paid tribute to the fallen soldier, representing the Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who died in service but have no known grave. pic.twitter.com/Svp5myklwq
— Ginette Petitpas Taylor (@GinettePT) June 30, 2024