For Immediate Release
November 16, 2007
John Baird Presents Poppy Plaques to Nepean Veterans
(OTTAWA) – Saturday, November 10th, John Baird, MP (Ottawa West-Nepean) presented specially commissioned poppy plaques to Nepean Veterans at a ceremony held at former Nepean City Hall Ben Franklin Place. Mr. Baird was joined by Pierre Poilievre, MP (Nepean-Carleton) and other local politicians and personalities in thanking and recognizing those Veterans and spouses in attendance.
“This ceremony gives us a great opportunity for us to thank these brave men and women for their sacrifices so many years ago,” said Mr. Baird. “It is incredible to think that their acts of bravery and selflessness, so long ago, delivered unto us this great country and these great freedoms that we all enjoy today.”
Pierre Poilievre, MP expressed similar sentiments saying, “If today we can look over the horizon it is because we stand on the shoulder of giants. We are deeply in debt to you and your generation for your sacrifices.”
Mr. Baird and Mr. Poilievre also thanked Scotiabank Group for its generous financial support in seeing this program, Honouring Nepean’s Best, take flight. “It is a great pleasure to see the private sector step up and become a partner in community initiatives,” said Mr. Baird. Scotiabank contributed $10,100 towards the Nepean Museum initiative. The contribution went into the design and manufacture of the all-weather plaques that will identify the homes Nepean Veterans or their surviving spouses.
Dan Hoffman, Curator of the Nepean Museum also thanked Scotiabank Group and partners, Mr. Baird and Mr. Poilievre, for their time and contributed resources. “I am very honoured to have had the support of Mr. Baird, Mr. Poilievre and Scotiabank Group during the infancy of this Nepean Museum initiative,” said Mr. Hoffman. “These community leaders realized the importance of paying tribute to Nepean’s Veterans and honouring their history in our community.”
In total 108 Veterans were recognized at the first of several poppy plaque ceremonies. The Nepean Museum continues to invite Nepean Veterans to apply for a poppy plaque by contacting the Museum itself or by contacting the offices of your local Member of Parliament; John Baird, MP or Pierre Poilievre, MP. After November 11th, plaques may be collected at the Nepean Museum, 16 Rowley Avenue or at any of Nepean’s three Legion Branches.
PHOTO: John Baird, MP (Ottawa West-Nepean) and Pierre Poilievre, MP (Nepean-Carleton) present poppy plaques to Gord Ley, President of Barrhaven Legion 641 and Bob Harkness, President of Bells Corners Legion 593.
Further information:
Office of John Baird, MP
Ottawa West-Nepean
613-996-0984
