Veterans Affairs Canada
Veterans Affairs Canada
Jul 23, 2009 15:02 ET
Canada's First World War Veteran Turns 109: Happy Birthday Mr. Babcock
OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - July 23, 2009) - John Babcock, Canada's last known First World War Veteran, celebrated his 109th birthday today among family and friends at his favourite family restaurant in Spokane, Washington. The Honourable Greg Thompson, Minister of Veterans Affairs, was there to bring special greetings from the Prime Minister and the Governor General of Canada and issued the following statement:
"Mr. Babcock is a remarkable man who has become a source of pride and a symbol of remembrance for our entire country. He represents a generation of Canadians who served our country when we needed them most.
Today, as we celebrate the birthday of our last remaining Veteran of the First World War, we also mark the heroic contributions of all our Veterans, past and present. We pay tribute to our history and we honour those who continue to serve today. The values for which Canadians fought during the First World War are the same values Canada's men and women in uniform continue to defend today: freedom, democracy and the rule of law."
More than 650,000 Canadians and Newfoundlanders served in the First World War from 1914 to 1918, and more than 68,000 gave their lives. All Canadians, especially youth, are encouraged to participate in commemorative events honouring our Veterans. To learn more about Canada's contribution during the First World War, visit
www.vac-acc.gc.ca.
For more information, please contact
Veterans Affairs Canada
Janice Summerby
Media Relations Advisor
613-992-7468
or
Office of the Minister of Veterans Affairs
Richard Roik
Director of Communications
613-996-4649
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