The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Andrew Furey, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador:
Speaker, I rise today to recognize an event that honours the past, has great significance in the present and reminds us of the sacrifices that were made for our future.
As we look forward to Remembrance Day later this week, I invite all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to reflect on the freedoms they enjoy and consider how they will honour the fallen and all those who have served to protect those freedoms.
This past September, more than a century after Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Nangle set out to create an enduring memorial to the valour and sacrifice of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment, his vision to establish The Trail of the Caribou was completed.
With the dedication of the final monument at the Gallipoli Peninsula Historical National Park, six life-size bronze caribou monuments now stand as a permanent tribute to the bravery of the Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who fought for freedom, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice, in critical battles in Türkiye, France and Belgium.
Today, I am pleased to welcome to the gallery His Excellency Kerim Uras, the Turkish Ambassador to Canada, whose country welcomed us in September for this historic event.
It meant so much to stand on that sacred ground – where once they stood, experiencing the horrors of war – to honour the brave members of the Regiment in such a meaningful way.
Speaker, I extend my sincere thanks to Ambassador Uras and the Gallipoli Peninsula Historic Directorate for their generosity and support in commemorating this important chapter of our history.
I also thank the Royal Canadian Legion and Veterans Affairs Canada, for their commitment to preserving and presenting Newfoundland and Labrador’s proud military history, and for their unwavering support as we worked together to fulfill Padre Nangle’s vision.
And of course, to the Royal Newfoundland Regiment and the Royal Newfoundland Regiment Advisory Council – thank you for your tireless dedication to ensuring that this memorial would be constructed.
Through your efforts and perseverance, the stories of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment will be remembered for future generations around the world.
Thank you.