The provincial government today announced a series of initiatives taking place to enhance the recognition of the important role that the veteran’s community plays in Island life.
“Island veterans make a tremendous contribution to Island life,” said Premier Pat Binns. “Their service and sacrifice stand as a reminder to us all of their courage and patriotism and of how perilous the freedoms we all enjoy sometimes are.”
Among the initiatives announced today by Premier Binns are the dedication of Remembrance Day as a statutory holiday, effective in 2004; the development of a series of Veterans Monuments in each county along the Veterans Memorial Highway; and the introduction of a veterans license plate.
Remembrance Day was officially designated by the Province as a statutory holiday earlier this year in order to allow all Island families the opportunity to fully participate in the annual commemorative activities which take place across Prince Edward Island as part of Remembrance Day.
Following the dedication last year of Route 2 as the Island’s Veterans Memorial Highway, a series of monuments were commissioned to further recognize both the Island veterans community and Route 2' status as the only Veterans Highway which spans the entire length of a province. Monuments have been developed and established, in partnership with Island veterans, at locations in St. Peter’s, Hunter River, and Miscouche.
The new veterans license plate is the latest specialty plate developed by the Province. Developed in consultation with representatives of various Island veterans groups, the plate features a Canadian flag in the center of the plate rather than the traditional image of Province House or the Confederation Bridge and the word “Veteran” in lieu of the provincial logo. The new veterans plate will have two letters and four numbers instead of the standard two letters and three numbers. Those eligible for the new plate includes any Islander who served at least a three-year term in the Canadian, Commonwealth, or allied forces, including the Merchant Navy and Ferry Command. The three-year service eligibility will be waived for any veteran who served in a combat theater with NATO or a peacekeeping mission. Interested veterans will be able to switch to the new plate at any time by contacting their nearest Access PEI site.
“Initiatives like these are helping ensure that the important role that countless Island veterans have played will continue to be appreciated and remembered by present and future generations of Islanders,” said Binns.