Ottawa, Friday, November 16, 2007

Let me begin by congratulating you and all your members on the 75^th anniversary of the CDA, the Conference of the Defence Associations.

The Vimy Award, created sixteen years ago by the Conference of Defence Associations Institute (CDAI), has special significance this year, as we are marking the 90^th anniversary of the momentous battle for which it was named.

This inspiring museum holds many reminders of that fateful struggle, a struggle that marked our nation’s soul.

Vimy Ridge. A heavily fortified, seven-kilometre ridge in northern France that many said could never be taken.

The French tried, so did the British, but no gain was made and tens of thousands were killed or wounded.

It took all four Canadian divisions—fighting together for the first time—to finally capture Vimy Ridge.

The battle of Vimy Ridge tested the character of the young Canadians who fought there, brave men from every region of our country.

Those men pushed themselves to the limit. And found an inner strength to press on, despite the obstacles and dangers they faced. But we must never forget the terrible price Canada paid for that victory: over 3,000 soldiers were killed and 7,000 were wounded.

Yes, we owe our famous victory at Vimy Ridge to each soldier who fought there. But the vision and courage of our Canadian officers were also indispensable to our success.

As we consider on all the elements that characterized the Battle of Vimy Ridge, I think it is very fitting that you, General Henault, are receiving this award. Your distinguished career has been marked by many of the same elements I just mentioned.

You know from experience the great sacrifices that soldiers—as well as their families—must make when they undertake a mission overseas.

And you have seen first hand that some must pay the ultimate price to bring freedom and peace to populations in need.

You were the first Chief of Defence Staff in over a generation to be confronted with military combat deaths.

You also wanted to be there, on the tarmac beside the grieving families, when the first soldiers killed in Afghanistan were repatriated.

That says a lot about the depth of your commitment. You know that human lives are priceless and deserving of our protection.

Whether they are the lives of your military colleagues and the soldiers under your command. Or the lives of civilians­—women, children and men—who are deprived of their most fundamental rights.

It is not surprising that all the women and men who have been under your command—during your time as Chief of Defence Staff and before—respect you deeply and hold you in their highest regards.

You have been there for them, defending their interests. In fact, some of the achievements you should be most proud of are the advances you helped bring to medical care, education, family services and other quality of life matters for members of the Forces.

This transformation was only one part of a broad process of renewal, a renewal that reflects your commitment to new ideas and measures that produce decisive results.

Measures such as increasing Canada’s role in international humanitarian and security operations.

You know how very important it is for us to go to trouble spots around the world, places where it is imperative that we help build and maintain peace so that populations in need can regain their freedom and dignity.

Canadians will always remember the central role you played in Canada’s involvement in Kosovo in 1999.

Under your skilled leadership, the Canadian Forces successfully managed its highest operational tempo in years, working with a variety of government security agencies and humanitarian organizations in many different parts of the world.

Of course, the main focus of Canada’s commitment—then, as now—was our military participation in the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan, a country you have travelled to on many occasions.

You helped many Canadians understand how important it is that we help restore security and prosperity in a country where oppression and misery afflict children, women and men on a daily basis.

Journalists also play a key role in helping the public grasp the complexity of issues related to security, stability and peace.

This is why I must thank the CDA for creating the Ross Munro Award, an award that recognizes Canadian journalists who make significant contributions towards helping people understand issues related to defense and security.

And I am glad to see that this year’s recipient of the Ross Munro Award is Matthew Fisher, who has an outstanding experience in the coverage of the Canadian Forces mission overseas. Congratulations Mr. Fisher!

We have gathered today in appreciation of the work, commitment and vision of General Henault, a man who has done so much for the country we all love, and for the advancement of democracy.

General Henault, for all that you have achieved—as Chief of Defence Staff, in your current capacity as Chairman of the NATO Military Committee, and throughout your long, illustrious career—I am proud to salute you.

It is an honour for me, General, as governor general of Canada and commander-in-chief of the Canadian Forces, to present you with this Award.

General Henault ….