Toronto – Veterans Affairs Canada

The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs, visited the Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto today to present Veterans with valentines handcrafted by Canadian students. School children, members of community organizations and individuals from across Canada were encouraged to create valentines for Veterans as a way of giving thanks to those who have served Canada. The program is particularly popular in schools where, through the 2014 Valentines for Vets campaign, more than 10,000 cards were made, giving students the opportunity to more fully appreciate and understand the tremendous sacrifices and achievements of Canada’s men and women in uniform.

Quick Facts

• Over 10,000+ Valentines For Vets cards will be distributed today in more than 1,200 long-term care facilities across Canada.
• Valentines For Vets began in 1989 when the late columnist Ann Landers encouraged her readers to create special valentines for Veterans.
• Veterans Affairs Canada became involved with Valentines For Vets in 1996, continuing Ann Landers’ legacy.
• All Canadians can take part by sending Veterans virtual cards or by expressing thanks on social media using #ShowYouRemember #ShowYourThanks and #ValentinesForVets hashtags

Quote

“Through Valentines for Vets, our youth show their appreciation for the service and sacrifices made by Canada’s Veterans. Veterans across Canada continue to be deeply touched by this annual gesture of respect from students straight across the nation.”

The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs

Woodbridge, Ontario – The Honourable Julian Fantino, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Member of Parliament for Vaughan, received honorary membership to Branch 414 of the Royal Canadian Legion, this morning, during a stakeholders meeting in Woodbridge, Ontario.

“I am truly humbled to receive this honorary membership to Branch 414,” stated Minister Fantino. “I am proud to now be a member of this storied organization that has always gone above and beyond to ensure the contributions made by our Canadian Veterans are never forgotten. I commend their commitment to remembrance and service to Veterans.”

“Branch 414 of the Royal Canadian Legion is pleased to present Minister Fantino with an honorary membership,” said Jane Lowe, President of Branch 414. “We will continue to work closely with Veterans Affairs Canada to ensure that Canada’s Veterans are never forgotten.”

Legion members, local Veterans and residents of the Legion Woods Apartments joined Minister Fantino to discuss how the local community can continue to remember and honour the sacrifices made by Canadian men and women in uniform.

This Veterans’ Week, your challenge is to show you remember. Wearing a poppy, attending a local Remembrance Day ceremony and changing your Facebook profile picture to a poppy are all ways to remember and honour Veterans. Visit veterans.gc.ca/iremember to get interactive and share your thoughts or to find commemorative events in your community.

2013 is the Year of the Korean War Veteran—Canada proudly remembers the heroes of the Korean War and their brave fight to defend the Republic of Korea and uphold freedom, democracy and the rule of law. For more information on Canada’s role in the Korean War, visit veterans.gc.ca.