Media Room
News Releases
10/11/2003
77 Years of Remembrance
Attention: Health care reporters and editors; members of the parliamentary press gallery; assignment editors
Canadian Nurses Association Lays Wreaths to Honour Fallen Sisters
Heroism has many faces. Each year on Remembrance Day, the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) proudly pays tribute to its own: the Canadian nursing sisters who served in field dressing stations, on hospital ships, and as flight nurses caring for evacuated soldiers during World War I and II, and the Korean War.
Robert Calnan, President of the CNA, explains, “Canada had 3,000 nurses serving in World War I and 4,000 nurses serving in World War II. Many Canadian nursing sisters and soldiers lost their lives serving in both world wars and the Korean war. Thousands more returned home. Today, about 900 nurses continue to serve on Canadian bases around the world. These individuals are our war heroes, and we must honour them.”
On Remembrance Day, November 11, 2003, the CNA will continue a long tradition of laying flowers at the Nursing Sisters’ Memorial in the Hall of Honour in the centre block of Parliament Hill in Ottawa. The Memorial, designed by sculptor G.W. Hill and built through fundraising efforts led by the Canadian Nurses Association, was unveiled 77 years ago, in 1926.
Robert Calnan says, “The Memorial is an impressive, sculptured marble panel, a appropriate homage to nursing: The Nursing Sisters’ Memorial depicts the history of nurses in Canada, from the earliest days of the religious sisters who arrived from France, to the uniformed women who served in World War I tending to wounded soldiers.”
In the centre of the sculpture is the draped figure of “Humanity” with outstretched arms. In her left hand she holds the emblem of healing; with the other hand she indicates the courage and devotion of nurses through the ages. In the background, “History” holds the book of records containing the deeds of heroism and sacrifice of Canadian nurses through almost three centuries of service.
Lucille Auffrey, CNA Executive Director, notes, while the role and scope of the nursing profession has changed dramatically since 1926, the caring devotion and dedication of nurses remain the same:
“In 1926, eight hundred nurses from across the country assembled in Ottawa to unveil the new nursing memorial, which was formally presented to the acting Prime Minister, Sir Henry Drayton. It was an important moment for nurses, and for Canada. Today, there are some 231,000 women and men who are registered nurses, providing safe, competent care from coast to coast.”
Along with the laying of flowers at the Nursing Sisters’ Memorial, the Canadian Nurses Association will also lay a wreath in memory of those who have died in war, at the National Cenotaph in Ottawa, at 10:30 a.m.
CNA is the professional voice of nursing in Canada. It is a federation of 11 provincial and territorial professional nursing associations.
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For additional information, please contact :
Gabrielle Tassé
Media Relations
Tel: (613) 789-4133
E-mail: gabrielle@nbac.com
