Vets from Italian campaign given tribute

Veterans filled the Canadian Senate chamber Friday as the government marked the Italian Campaign that helped turn the tide of the Second World War.

Nearly 100,000 Canadian soldiers joined the 22-month campaign with American and British troops. About 5,900 Canadians soldiers died in the campaign and thousands were injured.

In his remarks opening the ceremony, Newfoundland Senator Bill Rompkey thanked the veterans for their " courage, determination and sacrifice."

Rompkey noted the Italian campaign was a key in helping the Allies capture Europe from the German army.

• CBC ARCHIVES: The Italian Campaign

Many of the veterans at the Senate ceremony have also visited Italy, where events are still going on to mark the 60th anniversary of the campaign. Some dipped their feet into the Mediterranean and visited the Canadian war cemetery at Agira, Sicily.

Some of the veterans were singled out for new honours for their efforts in keeping the Italian Campaign alive in peacetime and Minister of Veterans Affairs Albina Guarnieri declared 2005 the Year of the Veteran.

"We have to ask ourselves how we can be worthy of the sacrifices these men made," Guarnieri said in her Senate chamber speech.

Veteran Ted Griffiths was given a new commendation by Guarnieri. Griffiths fought in Italy and later in the Korean War. He organized a reconciliation dinner in 1998 with the German troops his battalion fought in Ortona, Italy.

Griffiths was a driving force in raising funds to build a statue in Ortona, erected in 1999, and helped raise money for a musem about the battle.

The Battle of Ortona in December, 1943 was one of the toughest engagements of the Second World War. Canadian soldiers faced crack German troops sent into battle with orders not to retreat. The Canadians fought street-by-street and house-by-house until they drove the Germans back.

A portrait of Griffiths was also unveiled along with several paintings commemorating the campaign that will be on view at the Senate foyer until Nov. 19.

The veterans also heard from a young Canadian of Italian heritage, who thanked the veterans for "ensuring the freedom and quality of life we enjoy. You will surely never be forgotten."

The ceremony of remembrance ended with prayers, song and a moment of silence.