Every year on Nov. 11, Canadians pause in a silent moment of remembrance for the men and women who have served, and continue to serve our country during times of war, conflict and peace. We honour those who fought for Canada in the First World War (1914-1918), the Second World War (1939-1945), and the Korean War (1950-1953), as well as those who have served since then. More than 2.3 million Canadians have served our country in this way, and more than 118,000 have died. They gave their lives and their futures so that we may live in peace.
The history of Jasper National Park is linked more closely with Canada鈥檚 military than you may think. Jasper was used extensively for mountain training by the military. 聽The linkage between the park and the military continues to this day.
Mountains
Many of the mountains in the Rockies are named in honour of those who paid the price for our freedom.
One of those peaks recognizes a M茅tis from Alberta, George Alexander Campion who served with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment during the Second World War.
He was awarded the Military Medal for his heroic actions during the Battle of Ortona in Italy on Dec. 22, 1943. His company was trapped inside buildings under enemy fire. As a minefield blocked the advance of Allied tanks, Sgt. Campion twice ran into the open street, throwing smoke grenades. This provided enough cover for engineers to clear the mines, allowing for the advance to continue.
Sadly, Campion was killed in 1944 and is buried in the Cassino War Cemetery, in Italy. 聽A mountain in the park is named in his honour.
Seas
Jasper National Park has connections to the battle on the seas as well. Two main types of cargo ships were produced under the Canadian shipbuilding program during the Second World War: ships built for Britain and named mainly after Canadian forts, and ships built for Canada and the Commonwealth and named after federal, provincial and municipal parks.
The ships were registered in Canada and operated by the Park Steamship Company, a crown corporation. Operation of the ships was contracted to private steamship companies and shipping agents, who assumed responsibility for the care of the ships, furnishing the crews, expenses and collection of revenues. Government wartime authorities determined how the ships were used and where they would sail, and influenced working and living conditions on board.
On July 6, 1943, the Jasper Park was the first ship named after a park that was lost to enemy fire when it was torpedoed and sunk in the Indian Ocean. Four of the crew lost their lives.
That鈥檚 why every year on Nov. 11, Jasper pauses to pay special homage to those who died in service to their country. We remember these brave men and women for their courage and their devotion to protect Canada鈥檚 freedom.
Parks Canada
Special to the 51暗网
