Championships’ Themes

Every year a special Canadian military milestone is chosen as the theme for the Legion National Youth Track & Field Championships. Given Canada’s rich military history, which inspired the creation of the Championships, it is important for our young athletes to understand the significance of duty, service and sacrifice and how these Canadian values have afforded them this exceptional opportunity.

60th Anniversary Korean War Armistice

2013 marks the “Year of the Korean War Veteran” and the 60th Anniversary of the Korean War Armistice. The Korean War began on June 25, 1950 and the guns fell
silent on July 27, 1953, with the signing of the Korean War Armistice. Over 26,000 Canadian valiantly served during the war with 516 fatal casualties. 7,000 Canadians continued to serve in the tense theatre of operations until 1957 when all Canadians returned home.

National Peacekeeping Day

Canada celebrates National Peacekeepers Day on August 9th. It was on this tragic day in 1974 when 9 Canadian soldiers were killed, as their plane was shot down in the Middle East. Since that time, other Canadians have also made the ultimate sacrifice on important peacekeeping and military missions around the world, most recently 158 Canadian Fallen in Afghanistan.

During the Championships special commemorative Acts of Remembrance are planned for the youth athletes to honour Canada’s Korean War Veterans, Veteran Peacekeepers and current serving members of the Canadian Forces. Veterans will also partake during the Medal Presentations. Stay tuned for details.

To learn more about Canadian valour during the Korean War and how Peacekeeping represents all that is noble about being Canadian, visit www.vac-acc.gc.ca