At Beverly Cenotaph Praises Contribution to Military Families Fund
November 10, 2009
Edmonton – Peter Goldring, Member of Parliament for Edmonton East, today offered praise and thanks to the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall in response to a $250,000 donation being made in their name by the Government of Canada to the Military Families Fund (MFF).The MFF was created in April 2007 to assist military families faced with unforeseen and often immediate needs that have resulted from conditions of service. While it is customary for the Government to present gifts to members of the Royal Family visiting Canada, Their Highnesses asked instead that a contribution be made to an organization that supports military personnel and their families.
“I think the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall are to be commended for this,” Mr. Goldring says. “They are setting an example for all of us in the way they hold the men and women of our military in high esteem.”
Mr. Goldring will be paying tribute to Canadian soldiers both past and present on Wednesday November 11 at Remembrance Day ceremonies at the Edmonton’s oldest Cenotaph.
Mr. Goldring will attend Maranatha Church (11905-47 St.) at 9:30 a.m. for a non-denomination service, then take part in the parade to the Beverly Memorial Cenotaph (40th Street and 118 Ave.), where he will lay a wreath and speak.
“It is important we take time to remember, to pay tribute to the more than two million Canadians who have served this country in uniform since Confederation,” Mr. Goldring says, “especially the more than 110,000 of them who lie in foreign graves, forever young. By honouring them we show respect for their legacy: our country – our freedom.”
“Today Canadian soldiers are continuing that legacy, working to bring lasting peace and freedom to the war torn country of Afghanistan.”
The Beverly Memorial Cenotaph is Edmonton’s oldest, having been dedicated in October 1920, an initiative of the Beverly Veterans Association.