Premier Greg Selinger and Deanne Crothers, special envoy for military affairs, officially opened a Hall of Honour in the Legislative Building by unveiling a complete listing of all First World War (the Great War) regiments that were based out of Manitoba and announced the Legislative Building will introduce a daily ceremony for the ‘turning of the pages’ for the Books of Remembrance.
The Books of Remembrance have, until recently, always been housed in the Manitoba Room, located on the second floor of the Legislative Building, but were largely inaccessible to the general public. The Hall of Honour, located in the southwest corridor on the main floor of the building also displays plaques honouring various military regiments and will now feature a complete listing of Manitoba regiments that served Canada in the First World War.
“It is important the public has access to this material to serve as reminder that we should never forget the courage and sacrifice that has been made on our behalf so that we might live in the greatest, freest nation in the world,” said Premier Selinger.
“The ceremony to turn the pages for our five Books of Remembrance will be done each day at exactly 11 a.m., each day of the year,” said Minister Crothers. “The books honour casualties of war from the Boer War, the Great War, the Second World War, the Korean War and the Merchant Navy.”
In making this announcement, the premier also said the government is planning additions to the Hall of Honour to include dedications to Lt.-Col. William ‘Billy’ Barker of Dauphin, the most decorated serviceman in Canadian history, and Sgt. Tommy Prince of Winnipeg, Canada’s most decorated First Nation’s soldier.
The Hall of Honour will be accessible to the public during all regular operating hours of the Legislative Building from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
