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Cision Canada
a day ago
- General
- Cision Canada
Canadian War Museum unveils new display marking the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires Français
OTTAWA, ON, June 18, 2025 /CNW/ - In honour of the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Corps of Commissionaires, the Canadian War Museum unveils a new display. It marks the century-long history of Commissionaires by highlighting the significant contributions of the organization from its beginnings to the present day. Visitors can find the display in Commissionaires Way, the corridor connecting the Museum's main exhibitions to the LeBreton Gallery. Established to provide meaningful employment to veterans, Commissionaires was founded in Montréal in 1925. Since then, the not-for-profit organization has grown to 22,000 employees, including many veterans of the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It is the largest private-sector employer of veterans in Canada. "We are pleased to present this display highlighting the longstanding relationship between Commissionaires and Canada's veterans," said James Whitham, Director General of the Canadian War Museum. "The display offers visitors a chance to learn about the organization's evolution and its vital role in supporting veterans over a century." "We are delighted with how Commissionaires Way recognizes some of the many extraordinary people who served and continue to serve the Corps throughout our century of service to Canadians," said Commissionaires Chief of Staff, Captain Harry Harsch, OMM, CD, RCN (Ret'd). Developed by the Canadian War Museum, the display highlights veterans from all decades of Commissionaires. It features the Victoria Cross (VC) medal set that belonged to Major Benjamin Handley Geary of the East Surrey Regiment, who earned the decoration for bravery at Hill 60 during the First World War. Also featured is Lieutenant Colin Fraser Barron of the 48th Highlanders, who received the Victoria Cross for capturing three German machine-gun positions in the 1917 Battle of Passchendaele. Modern-day Commissionaires in the display include Ajit Singh and Rodney McAlpine, whose quick thinking saved lives while on the job, and who were recognized with the Commissionaires Medal of Bravery. Also included is Major (Ret'd) Sandra Perron, Canada's first female infantry officer, veterans' advocate, and bestselling author, who serves on the board of Commissionnaires du Québec. The Museum extends its sincere appreciation to Commissionaires for its generous support in bringing this important initiative to life. If you would like to have your name removed from our distribution list or if this information should be directed to someone else, please email us.
Cision Canada
11-06-2025
- General
- Cision Canada
Canadian War Museum Conference 2025 to bring together historians and veterans to showcase latest oral history scholarship Français
OTTAWA, ON, June 11, 2025 /CNW/ - Registration is now open for the Canadian War Museum Conference 2025: Oral History and the Veterans' Experience, which will be held from Thursday, October 2 to Sunday, October 5, 2025 at the Museum. This ground-breaking conference, one of the first to focus on the growing interest in the post-service veteran experience, will provide a forum for historians, veterans, military community members, and others to showcase and discuss the latest scholarship surrounding oral history and the effects of military service after the return to civilian life. "The impact of service on veterans and their loved ones is a growing field of study," said James Whitham, Director General of the Canadian War Museum. "We look forward to hosting engaging discussions on the role that oral history can play in expanding our understanding of the impact of service across generations." The conference also offers an opportunity to come together and explore the ways in which oral history helps to bring untold stories into the broader narrative around military service. This "hidden history" of the veteran experience adds to our understanding of the impact of conflict and military service over time on individuals, their families, and society at large. Conference keynote speakers will include Dr. Michael Petrou, the Museum's Historian, Veterans' Experience, as well as Dr. Tim Cook, the Museum's Chief Historian and Director of Research. The event will also feature over 20 experts and veterans from across Canada presenting research grouped into six panels. Using Veterans' Oral Histories in Museums and Universities examines the use of veterans' oral histories in museums and universities, focusing on innovative projects that preserve and share the experiences of military personnel and their families. The Bonds of Veteranhood After Uncelebrated Missions explores the bonds formed among veterans of missions and units that have been forgotten, overlooked, or tarnished by scandal. Personal Impacts of Military Service is a bilingual conversation about how veterans are shaped by their service in the armed forces, touching on veteran reintegration into civilian life and the lasting effects of military service. Veteranhood and Veterans' Communities examines veteranhood as it is experienced collectively — shaping not just individuals, but communities and the place of veterans within them. Military Testimony and the Arts explores how some veterans use art to communicate their experiences. This panel will draw attention to creative works that reflect on the realities of military life, post-traumatic stress disorder, and war. Recognizing, Compensating, and Accepting Veteranhood examines the relationship — both historical and contemporary — between veterans and the government, and between veterans and wider Canadian society. For more information and to register for the Canadian War Museum Conference 2025, visit the conference website: For those unable to attend in person, a virtual conference package will provide access to selected sessions on Friday and Saturday. This conference is organized under the auspices of In Their Own Voices: Stories From Canadian Veterans and Their Loved Ones and is generously funded by donors including the A. Britton Smith Family; the Azrieli Foundation; Arthur B.C. Drache, C.M., K.C., and Judy Young Drache; The Royal Canadian Legion; The Legion National Foundation; Friends of the Canadian War Museum; the Crabtree Foundation; Robert Stollery, in honour of his service in the Second World War; Colonel (Ret'd) Stanley A. Milner, O.C., A.O.E., M.S.M., C.D., LL.D.; and individuals from across Canada. The Canadian War Museum is Canada's national museum of military history. Its mission is to promote public understanding of Canada's military history in its personal, national, and international dimensions. If you would like to have your name removed from our distribution list or if this information should be directed to someone else, please email us.
Cision Canada
02-05-2025
- General
- Cision Canada
The Canadian War Museum honours Second World War veterans with new exhibition
OTTAWA, ON, May 2, 2025 /CNW/ - To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, the Canadian War Museum invites visitors into a moving journey through the untold post-war stories of veterans. Opening May 9, Last Voices of the Second World War brings to life the voices of some of the conflict's few remaining survivors, as well as those of some who have since passed, offering a rare glimpse into their journey to rebuild their lives and make meaning of their wartime experiences. Using veterans' own words, this evocative exhibition, supported by The Royal Canadian Legion, reveals the complexities of the transition to veteran life, along with the impact of the war on veterans' lives — and the lives of their families — long after the battlefields had fallen silent. "Through this exhibition, we hope to deepen visitors' understanding of the lasting personal, emotional and social impact of military service on veterans and their families," said James Whitham, Director General of the Canadian War Museum. " Last Voices provides an ideal opportunity to better understand the challenges faced by those who serve in our military, while also expressing our enduring appreciation for their service." Last Voices of the Second World War presents the transition to veteranhood in three stages: Becoming a Veteran explores the return to civilian life, and how access to opportunities was not equal for everyone. A Lifelong Journey examines the long-term effects of war on veterans and their family members. Making Meaning highlights the many ways in which veterans remembered and shared their experiences in later years. The exhibition integrates more than 60 intensely personal and powerful perspectives from veterans of the Second World War and their family members in an intimate and warm exhibition space. Through a rich array of interview excerpts and quotes, artifacts, artworks, photographs, and design elements, visitors will embark on a compelling and poignant exploration of a broad range of experiences of life after conflict. On May 8, the 80th anniversary of VE Day, the Canadian War Museum will officially open Last Voices of the Second World War with a special event at 5:30 p.m. In addition to marking the end of the Second World War in Europe, this date also marks the 20th anniversary of the War Museum on LeBreton Flats. The evening will feature live music performances, a Victory Dance, and the launch of the new Canadian War Museum tartan. The celebration continues throughout the weekend of May 9 to 11 with several other activities. Last Voices of the Second World War will be presented until January 18, 2026. For more information on the exhibition and the activities planned, please visit An exhibition developed by the Canadian War Museum and supported by The Royal Canadian Legion. The Canadian War Museum is Canada's national museum of military history. Its mission is to promote public understanding of Canada's military history in its personal, national and international dimensions. For more information, please visit Follow us on X, Facebook or Instagram. If you would like to have your name removed from our distribution list or if this information should be directed to someone else, please send us an email. SOURCE Canadian War Museum
