Statement

From the Prime Minister's Web Site (http://www.pm.gc.ca/)

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STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER ON THE OCCASION OF THE 65TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE DIEPPE RAID

August 19, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today issued the following statement regarding the 65th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid:

"On this day, we mark the 65th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid, which for Canada was one of the most devastating battles of the Second World War.

The landing at Dieppe, code named Operation Jubilee, began at dawn on August 19, 1942. Five thousand of the 6,100 troops who took part were Canadian. Although the battle lasted only a few hours, it ultimately claimed 913 Canadian lives. More than 1900 were captured and imprisoned for the rest of the war. It was a singularly heroic effort against impossible odds.

The soldiers who fought and died at Dieppe displayed extraordinary courage in catastrophic circumstances.

So today we remember the sacrifices made by the Canadians who stormed the beaches in defence of freedom and democracy. We thank our humble heroes, the Veterans of Dieppe. We owe them so much.

They are part of Canada's long, honourable military history. Though we are not a warlike people, we have always responded to the call when the cause is just. The Canadian Forces now serving in Afghanistan and elsewhere are proudly upholding our tradition of confronting tyranny and oppression and building peace and security around the world.

Let us never forget those who wore the Canadian uniform with pride at Dieppe, and the men and women who continue to serve our country today. They were and are the front-line defenders of our values and guarantors of our freedoms.

Lest we forget."

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The Prime Minister's Office - Communications
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