It has been 80 years since the Dieppe Raid, a particularly devastating part of the Second World War for the Canadian military. The sacrifices and achievements of those who gave so much to help restore peace and freedom to the world will never be forgotten.
Today, an official Government of Canada delegation will travel to France to take part in a series of events to mark the 80th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid. The delegation will be joined by the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Darrell Samson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence.
The delegation will include Veterans of the Second World War, representatives of Veterans and Indigenous organizations, a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Canadian youth and parliamentarians.
Three of the Veterans who will be part of the Government of Canada delegation served in the Second World War. Moreover, one of these Veterans - Gordon Howard Fennell - took part in the Dieppe Raid on 19 August 1942.
Veterans Affairs Canada will also host commemorative events in Canada to mark this milestone. An official Government of Canada delegation will participate in commemorative ceremonies in the Dieppe Gardens in Windsor, Ontario. Veterans Affairs Canada is also planning a commemorative ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa.
The delegation travelling to Windsor, Ontario, will also include Veterans of the Second World War, local Veterans and Indigenous representatives, members of the Canadian Armed Forces, Youth, and parliamentarians. Four of the Veterans who will be part of this delegation served in the Second World War, including John L. Date, who took part in the Dieppe Raid.
