Gearing up for Veterans’ Week 2021: CAF speaker video series unveiled!

November 2, 2021 - Defence Stories

Caption

"Reconciliation", the Canadian Peacekeeping Monument on Sussex Drive in Ottawa, seen from the northeast.

As we approach Veterans’ Week (Nov 5-11), the National Veterans’ Week Speakers Program (NVWSP) is proud to unveil the 2021 edition of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) speaker’s video series! This year’s selection of videos are geared towards various audiences and age groups, and are available from our video gallery and on the NVWSP YouTube (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) Channel.

The video series was developed to keep Canadians connected from coast-to-coast, by paying tribute to all Veterans, past and present, who have served their country. This year’s series will help mark important events such as the 105th anniversary of the creation of the No. 2 Construction Battalion, the 90th anniversary of the Defence of Hong Kong, and the 30th anniversary of the Gulf War.

We encourage you to visit the Royal Canadian Legion’s Remembrance Day ceremony (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) website to find information about your local  ceremony, or the Veterans’ Week 2021 web feature to learn about other ways to get involved this year.

We hope you enjoy this year’s edition of the CAF speaker videos series and invite you to check out our partner sites below to help prepare for your own Veterans’ Week and Remembrance Day activities.

If you would like to receive a copy of these videos or have any questions, please contact the National Veterans’ Week Speakers Program coordinator at 1-833-223-8322 or DNDRemembrance.SouvenirMDN@forces.gc.ca.

Additional resources

With so many programs going virtual, here are some additional online resources to explore:

• Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) offers an array of free, bilingual learning resources available in electronic and print formats to help students remember the importance of honouring Canada’s veterans. Materials can be ordered directly at: Veterans' Week Learning Resources.
• The Canadian War Museum (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) has developed a Remembrance Resource page (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) to provide online tools for educators and others to create lessons and ceremonies in the classroom, at home, or for their wider community.
• The Royal Canadian Legion (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) will be marking the 100th anniversary of the Remembrance Poppy in Canada (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) in 2021. They also offer opportunities for educators to engage youth in honouring and remembering Canada’s Veterans. Download the educator’s Teaching Guide (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website) to enrich your curriculum.

In addition to the above resources, VAC has other examples of ways you can show that #CanadaRemembers:

• Wear a poppy with pride;
• Join the conversation on social media! You can share what remembrance means to you, and include the Veterans’ Week hashtag #CanadaRemembers;
• Tune-in to the Faces of Freedom podcast which tells the stories of those who have served in a variety of missions and operations around the world;
• Discover stories of those who served and sacrificed for our country by reading a selection of profiles of Canadian Veterans;
• Check out our collection of Veterans’ Week learning resources for youth of all ages and share them with your children and any teachers you know;
• Explore VAC’s Home Learning Corner, where you  can learn more about the efforts of Canadian service members;
• Learn more about those who have served our country through Heroes Remember videos of Veterans sharing their experiences; and

Check out VAC’s searchable online calendar for Veterans’ Week events. Partners, local organizations and individuals will be hosting hundreds of commemorative events across the country during this special week that will be respecting COVID-19 guidelines.