OTTAWA, ON -December 6, 2010- On behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Minister of State (Agriculture), Greg Kerr, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Veterans Affairs participated in today’s announcement of the Vimy Ridge 95^th Anniversary National Student Remembrance Tour. Education First (EF) Educational Tours, in partnership with the Vimy Foundation, will give thousands of students from across Canada the opportunity to participate in a pilgrimage to the Canadian National Vimy Memorial in April 2012.

“It is important for students to participate in remembrance activities like this because it encourages our youth to look back through history and uncover the legacy built by Canadians before you,” said Mr. Kerr. “Those who fought, often referred to as the ‘greatest generation,’ shaped our country through their efforts and are deserving of recognition. You are the next generation—our new “guardians of remembrance.”

Mr. Kerr commended the EF Educational Tours and the Vimy Foundation for providing so many young Canadians the opportunity to experience a part of our military history. Earlier this year, more than 2,000 Canadian students, teachers and administrators from more than 85 schools across Canada travelled to the Netherlands to celebrate Victory in Europe and the 65^th Anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands.

Students taking part in the 2012 remembrance tour are now beginning their research. As part of their pre-trip studies, each student will research a fallen First World War soldier.

For more information about EF Educational Tours, please visit www.eftours.ca. For more information about the Vimy Foundation, please, visit www.vimyfoundation.ca.  For more information about the commemorative events and opportunities, please visit www.veterans.gc.ca