National Peacekeepers’ Day was established in Canada in 2008. It provides an opportunity for Canadians to express the pride and respect they have toward personnel of the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and provincial and municipal police forces, as well as Canadian diplomats and civilians who have worked in support of international peace and security operations.
Since 1948, more than 125,000 Canadian peacekeepers have participated in dozens of international efforts all over the world. August 9 was selected as National Peacekeepers’ Day to recognize the greatest single loss of Canadian lives on a peacekeeping mission, which occurred on that date in 1974. All nine Canadian peacekeepers who were on a United Nations-marked Canadian transport aircraft were killed when their plane was shot down by Syrian missiles during a regular resupply mission in the Middle East. It was the largest single-day loss of Canadian Armed Forces personnel in a peace support operation.
Canada has helped provide instrumental support to restore peace and security in areas devastated by conflict. Our peacekeepers play a vital and significant role in achieving these objectives while demonstrating compassion and courage. By marking this day, we can celebrate and express our gratitude to these men and women.
As home for more than 100 of Canada’s veterans, Broadmead Care honours the dedicated women and men of the Canadian military who have served, or are serving, as peacekeepers at home and around the world. Thank you.
Source: https://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/remembrance/commemorative-events/peacekeepers-day
