Remembrance Day and the CPR
Click on each picture for a closer look!
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On the occasion of today being Remembrance Day, we recognize the CPR’s honouring of those who made magnificent sacrifices for out contry by reprinting a press release from Canadian Pacific Railways as follows:
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“November 9, 2009 – Calgary, Alberta and Sioux Falls, South Dakota
On November 11th, network-wide, all Canadian Pacific and Dakota, Minnesota and Eastern Railroad trains will safely halt at 11 AM local time, observe two minutes of respect in silence and then sound a long train whistle in tribute. A Remembrance Day and Veterans Day service will also be held at CP’s headquarters in Calgary.
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“On this day, Canadian Pacific will recognize the contributions our employees made in times of war. On land, at sea and in the air, at home and abroad, the company, its people, its resources, its ingenuity and expertise were needed,” said Fred Green, Canadian Pacific President and CEO. “These brave men and women are a legacy and an inspiration, as are those 44 CP employees who are today listed military reservists”.
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Canadian Pacific has been touched by the tragic impacts of World War I and World War II. Over 33 thousand CP employees served in the last century’s two world wars. Sadly, 1,774 employees died in battle. In the two World Wars combined, 24 of 74 CP ships were lost to enemy action. In the air, CP pioneered the transatlantic delivery of bombers to Britain. At home, Canadian Pacific’s efforts included transporting troops, supplies and equipment in addition to making its shops available for the output of Valentine tanks, engines for frigates and landing craft, naval vessel power equipment components, naval guns, anti-submarine devices and fire-control equipment.
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The tradition of service continues, with 44 Canadian and American employees currently listed as reservists. In Canada, CP moves Canadian Forces’ equipment and is one of Canada’s most supportive employers of primary Reserve Force personnel. In the United States, CP is a proud partner of the US Army PaYS program, which recruits soldiers interested in obtaining a quality civilian job following service to their country.
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These brave men and women will be recognized at CP’s Remembrance and Veteran’s Day ceremony. Canadian Pacific executives, employees, Police Service officers, pensioners, members of the Canadian Forces Calgary Highlanders Calgary 41st Brigade Group, and the Navy League Cadet Corps will recognize their service at a special ceremony at CP’s Calgary Head Office, next to the Steam Locomotive.
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About Canadian Pacific:
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Canadian Pacific, through the ingenuity of its employees located across Canada and in the United States, remains committed to being the safest, most fluid railway in North America. Our people are the key to delivering innovative transportation solutions to our customers and to ensuring the safe operation of our trains through the more than 1,100 communities where we operate. Come and visit us at www.cpr.ca to see how we can put our ingenuity to work for you. Canadian Pacific is proud to be the official rail freight services provider for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.”
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The pictures presented here have been excerpted from an excellent article called Canadian Pacific Railway and War prepared by Jonathan B. Hanna, Corporate Historian of the Canadian Pacific Railway. The article may be downloaded from the CP website by clicking here.
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Posting by Russ Milland; Pictures from Canadian Pacific Railway and War by Jonathan B. Hanna, CPR Corporate Historian
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