Peacekeepers Day observed

A special event was held in Calgary over the weekend paying tribute to Canada’s peacekeepers.

The 21st annual Peacekeepers Day event honoured Canadians who were killed on international peacekeeping support operations.

Canada has taken part in 169 United Nations peacekeeping missions in its history with over 130,000 Canadians serving in missions since 1948.

Staff with the Lethbridge Legion told us just how important these missions are.

“Peacekeeping is ideal in the sense that there’s two nations, or more than two, that are willing to give peace a chance. And that’s where the peacekeepers come into kind of keep that buffer. And now, today, in recent memory, we’ve got peacemaking where we need to get in there with a bit more forceful for the general situation of the geographical area and for the citizens on the ground. In Ottawa, many years after peacekeeping has been in place, there’s a national monument called Reconciliation that is downtown, and it’s actually also on the back of a loonie. So from time to time, when you flip over your change and see that statue, just think of those keepers who are deployed today around the world,” says Glenn Miller, the co-chair of public relations with the legion.

The walls of Peacekeeper Park in Calgary feature the names of over 300 men and women who have served and paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.